Visual Studio Code is a free and powerful source-code editor made by Microsoft for various operating systems, which include Linux, and works well on Ubuntu-based systems. VSCode offers many features such as support to debug applications, embedded Git control which helps you with code completion or refactoring when needed, plus much more. Another part that VSCode is popular with is that you can find extensions in the extensive library that will further enhance your software development experience – all at no cost whatsoever; thanks also to being able through its continuously updated extension model to make sure those updates come quickly, so there are never any downtime periods.
In the following tutorial, you will learn how to Install Visual Code Editor (VS CODE) Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Jammy Jellyfish and Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Focal Fossa using the command line terminal to import the Microsoft official repository and gpg key and install the IDE editor, with full instructions for the standard stable version, along with the Visual Studio code insiders and exploration branches.
Table of Contents
Recommended Steps Before Installation
Before you begin, run an update on your system to ensure all packages are up-to-date to avoid any conflicts during the installation.
sudo apt updateOptionally, you can list the updates for users who require review or are curious.
sudo apt --list upgradableProceed to upgrade any outdated packages using the following command.
sudo apt upgradeInstall Visual Studio Code
Install Required Packages
The following packages must be installed to assist in installing the software.
sudo apt install dirmngr software-properties-common apt-transport-https curl -yThese are the most common software packages found on nearly all Linux distributions.
Import Visual Studio Code Repository
Next, you will need to import the Microsoft GPG key to verify the authenticity of the installation package.
curl -fSsL https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc | sudo gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/vscode.gpg > /dev/nullSecondly, import the Microsoft Visual Source Repository with the following command in your terminal.
echo deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/vscode.gpg] https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/vscode stable main | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/vscode.listInstall Visual Studio Code (VSCode)
With the source repository sorted, you must refresh your apt package manager sources list to reflect the new addition before the Visual Studio installation.
Run the following command in your terminal to reflect the newly added repository.
sudo apt updateNow install Visual Studio stable, recommended, or optionally install insiders or exploration as per below for users familiar with those versions.
Install VSCode stable build
sudo apt install code -yInstall VSCode insiders build
sudo apt install code-insiders -yInstall VSCode exploration build
sudo apt install code-exploration -yLaunch Visual Studio Code
Now that you have completed the installation, you can open the software in a few ways.
Using the command line terminal, you can open the software quickly by using the following command.
codeThe best way to use VSCode for desktop users that prefer not to use the command line terminal is to open the GUI of the application by following the path.
Activities > Show Applications > Visual Studio Code
Example:
Once open, you can begin to use the IDE. In the future, all updates will be handled using the APT update command that is used to update all your other packages on your system, so you should always be up-to-date with the latest version of whichever version you install.
Example:
Congratulations, you have installed Microsoft Visual Studio Code.
Remove Visual Studio Code
Removing VSCode is straightforward; use the command that matches your installation.
Remove VSCode stable build
sudo apt remove code --purgeNote that the –purge flag removes all data created with VSCode.
Remove VSCode insider’s build
sudo apt remove code-insiders --purgeRemove VSCode exploration build
sudo apt remove code-exploration --purgeNext, remove the repository using the following command.
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/vscode.listFor good housekeeping and security, remove the GPG key as follows.
sudo rm /usr/share/keyrings/vscode.gpg