# [Developing with VS Code on WSL](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/laptops-and-desktops/wsl2/vscode/)

## In this learning path

- [Introduction](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/laptops-and-desktops/wsl2/)
- [Configure and run WSL with various Linux distributions](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/laptops-and-desktops/wsl2/setup/)
- [Run graphical Linux applications](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/laptops-and-desktops/wsl2/wslg/)
- [Enable systemd in WSL](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/laptops-and-desktops/wsl2/systemd/)
- [Use SSH to connect to WSL](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/laptops-and-desktops/wsl2/ssh/)
- [Connect to WSL using RDP and VNC](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/laptops-and-desktops/wsl2/rdp/)
- [Developing with VS Code on WSL](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/laptops-and-desktops/wsl2/vscode/)
- [Import file systems into WSL](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/laptops-and-desktops/wsl2/import/)
- [Backup a WSL filesystem](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/laptops-and-desktops/wsl2/backup/)
- [Next Steps](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/laptops-and-desktops/wsl2/_next-steps/)

## Running VS Code in WSL

There are four ways to run VS Code in WSL:

- Native on Windows
- Native on Linux
- Use VS Code Remote Tunnels
- Use OpenVSCode Server

This Learning Path will explore each of these options.

## Native on Windows

[Download Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/download) for Windows Arm64 and run the installer.

With WSL running, use the `Remote Explorer` on the left side and find the WSL Targets.

Right click on the WSL instance to connect to and click `Connect to WSL`. A new instance of VS Code will open, some software will be installed in WSL, and the connection will complete.

Use the Terminal menu at the top to select `New Terminal`. The terminal prompt will confirm a Linux connection to WSL.

## Native on Linux

[Download Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/download) for Linux Arm64. For Ubuntu or Debian use the `.deb` file or select one of the other Linux options.

If the download is done from Windows, copy the `.deb` file into Linux from a Linux prompt.

Substitute the filename with the filename of your download:

```bash
cp /mnt/c/Users/<username>/Downloads/code_1.77.1-1680650504_arm64.deb .
```

Install the `.deb` file:

```bash
sudo apt install -y ./code_1.77.1-1680650504_arm64.deb
```

Run VS Code:

```bash
code .
```

VS Code will appear on the Windows desktop as a graphical Linux application.

There may be a prompt (so don’t launch `code` it in the background) recommending the Windows version instead.

The prompt can be eliminated using the environment variable:

```bash
export DONT_PROMPT_WSL_INSTALL=1
```

## Use VS Code Remote Tunnels

You can use the [install guide for VS Code Tunnels](https://learn.arm.com/install-guides/vscode-tunnels/) to install the VS Code CLI inside a WSL Linux distribution and connect to it from any other machine running VS Code, including the local Windows on Arm machine.

## Use OpenVSCode Server

You can run VS Code on WSL using OpenVSCode Server.

Look at the [install guide for OpenVSCode Server](https://learn.arm.com/install-guides/openvscode-server/) for setup information.

VS Code can be accessed from a Windows browser using `localhost:3000` without any special port forwarding.

Click the link displayed when OpenVSCode Server is started. This will open the Windows browser and connect. Hold `Ctrl` key and click the link.