How to Install Visual Studio Code on Arch Linux

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is one of the most popular code editors out there—lightweight, powerful, and packed with features. If you’re running Arch Linux, installing VS Code is quick and easy. Here’s how you do it, step by step.

1. Choose Your Version: Open Source or Microsoft?

First, you should know there are two main ways to get VS Code on Arch Linux:

• Code – OSS: The open-source build, available directly from Arch’s community repo.
• VS Code (Official): The Microsoft-branded build, distributed through the Arch User Repository (AUR). This one includes the official branding and telemetry.

For most users, the AUR version is the way to go if you want the “full” VS Code experience.

2. Install via the AUR (Recommended)

If you want the official Microsoft VS Code, you’ll need an AUR helper like yay or paru.

Need to install Yay first?
Check out: How to Install Yay on Arch Linux

Once you have yay or another AUR helper, install VS Code with:

yay -S visual-studio-code-bin

Just follow the prompts. When it’s done, you can launch VS Code from your app menu or by typing:

code

3. Alternative: Install Code – OSS from Community Repo

If you’re happy with the open-source build, it’s even simpler:

sudo pacman -S code

This version is maintained by the Arch community. It’s almost identical to the official build but with minor branding differences.

4. Another Method: Install VS Code via Snap

Prefer Snap packages? You can also install VS Code using Snap on Arch Linux.

First, make sure Snap is installed.
See this guide: How to Install Snap in Linux

Then install VS Code with:

sudo snap install code --classic

5. Updating VS Code

• If you used yay or another AUR helper, VS Code will update with the rest of your system when you run:
  yay -Syu
• If you installed from the community repo:
  sudo pacman -Syu
• For Snap users:
  sudo snap refresh

6. Bonus: Install Useful Extensions

Don’t forget to personalize your setup! You can install extensions right from inside VS Code. For example, to add Python support:

1. Press Ctrl+P
2. Type:
   ext install ms-python.python

Or just use the Extensions view on the sidebar.

Conclusion

Getting Visual Studio Code running on Arch Linux is simple—just pick your version, run a command or two, and you’re set. Whether you go with the official AUR build, the open-source community version, or use Snap, you’ll have a fast, flexible code editor ready to go.

If you have questions or run into issues, drop them in the comments below!

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!