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This step-by-step guide shows how to download and install Visual Studio Code (VS Code) on macOS. Follow the sequence below to get VS Code running, enable the command-line launcher, and configure a couple of handy shortcuts.

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Before you begin

  • Verify your Mac is up to date and meets VS Code system requirements.
  • Have an administrator account or the ability to approve app installs.
  • Recommended: an internet connection for downloading the installer and extensions.
Download page:
  1. Open the Visual Studio Code download page in your browser and scroll to the macOS section. Choose the installer that matches your Mac architecture (Intel x64 or Apple Silicon / Arm64).
A Visual Studio Code download page screenshot showing three columns for Windows, Linux (Tux penguin) and Mac with large OS icons and blue buttons for different installer types. Each column lists available packages and architectures (x64, Arm64, .deb, .rpm, etc.).
  1. Click the macOS download button. The download is typically a .dmg or a .zip file and will be saved to your Downloads folder.
  2. Open Finder → Downloads and locate the Visual Studio Code download. Double-click the file to open it. If macOS shows a security prompt saying the app was downloaded from the Internet, click Open to continue.
A macOS desktop screenshot showing the Finder Downloads folder with a security pop-up asking if you want to open "Visual Studio Code" (downloaded from the Internet) with Cancel and Open buttons. The Dock with app icons is visible along the bottom of the screen.
  1. Install VS Code
  • If you downloaded a .dmg: open the mounted image and drag the Visual Studio Code icon into the Applications folder.
  • If you downloaded a .zip: double‑click the zip to extract the .app, then move Visual Studio Code.app to Applications.
  1. Launch VS Code
  • Open Visual Studio Code from the Applications folder or use Spotlight (⌘Space → type “Visual Studio Code”).
  • If you want easy access, right‑click the app in the Dock → Options → Keep in Dock.
Tip: After moving VS Code to your Applications folder, right-click the app and choose Options → Keep in Dock to pin it for quick access.

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Enable the command-line launcher

To open files or folders from Terminal with the convenient code command:
  1. Open the Command Palette: ⇧⌘P (Shift + Command + P)
  2. Type and select:
  • Shell Command: Install ‘code’ command in PATH
After installing the shell command, open a folder from Terminal: 
# Open the current directory in VS Code
code .
Use this to integrate VS Code with terminal workflows, scripts, or other tooling.

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Quick reference: macOS installer types and common actions

Installer typeWhat it containsInstallation steps
.dmgDisk image with the appMount image → drag Visual Studio Code to Applications
.zipCompressed app bundleDouble-click to extract → move Visual Studio Code.app to Applications
x64 / Arm64CPU architecture choicesChoose installer matching your Mac (Intel vs Apple Silicon)

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Useful editing shortcuts (macOS)

ActionShortcut
Zoom in⌘ + Plus (⌘+)
Zoom out⌘ + Minus (⌘-)
Reset zoom⌘0
That’s it — VS Code is now installed and ready to use on your macOS machine. If you run into permission or gatekeeper warnings, approve the app in System Preferences → Security & Privacy, or open it via the Finder Open dialog as described above.

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