VS Code + GitHub Quick-Start

Download and Install VS Code

  1. Go to the official site: https://code.visualstudio.com.

  2. Download the installer for Windows / macOS / Linux.

  3. Run the installer (keep default options) and launch Visual Studio Code.

First-Launch Checklist

  • Allow VS Code to add itself to the system PATH when prompted.

  • Sign in with your Microsoft or GitHub account (optional but recommended).

  • Dismiss the introductory “Get Started” page once you’re ready.

Install the GitHub Extension Pack

VS Code’s Git integration works out of the box, but the official extension adds Pull-Request and Issue features.

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + X (Extensions side-bar).

  2. Search for GitHub Pull Requests and Issues and click Install.

  3. When prompted, Sign in to GitHub → Authorize in your browser.

(Optional) GitHub Copilot

If you have access to Copilot, install GitHub Copilot from the same marketplace and sign in; otherwise ignore this step.

Clone a Repository from GitHub

  1. Press F1 (or Ctrl + Shift + P) → Git: Clone.

  2. Paste the repository HTTPS/SSH URL, e.g. https://github.com/YourOrg/Project.git.

  3. Choose a local folder; VS Code reloads and opens the repo.

Editing, Committing, Pushing

  • Edit files in the Explorer side-bar (Ctrl + Shift + E).

  • Save often – VS Code auto-formats if you enable Format on Save.

  • Stage & Commit 1. Click the Source Control icon (Ctrl + Shift + G). 2. Review changes, hit + to stage or Commit directly. 3. Enter a commit message and press Ctrl + Enter.

  • Push to GitHub: click the … menu → Push (or use the blue status-bar cloud icon). The first push may prompt for branch name or to Publish Branch.

Creating a New File on GitHub (Browser)

  1. Navigate to the repo on github.com.

  2. Click Add file → Create new file.

  3. Name the file (e.g. README.md), paste content, commit.

  4. Pull the change locally: Git: Pull in VS Code.

Syncing a Fork or Upstream Changes

Add the original repo as upstream:

git remote add upstream https://github.com/Original/Repo.git
git fetch upstream
git merge upstream/main          # or rebase

Then Push to your fork.

Handy Shortcuts

Action

Shortcut (Win/Linux defaults)

Command Palette

Ctrl + Shift + P

File Explorer

Ctrl + Shift + E

Source Control

Ctrl + Shift + G

Open Terminal

``Ctrl + ` ``

Search + Replace

Ctrl + Shift + F

Run / Debug

F5

Troubleshooting

  • Failed to push – authentication error → Ensure you completed the browser sign-in pop-up or set a personal-access token if using HTTPS.

  • “PR branch not found” → Click Fetch first, then checkout.

  • Merge conflicts → VS Code highlights conflict markers ««« === »»». Pick Accept Current / Incoming in the Code Lens above each block.

You’re ready—happy coding! :rocket: