How to Set Up JavaScript with VS Code (Ultimate Beginner’s Guide 2025)

New developers in JavaScript should begin by choosing a good code editor. Power ease of use and impressive customizability in a code editor make Visual Studio Code (VS Code) the best choice. We will teach you how to get JavaScript working with VS Code step-by-step to help you get started on developing apps and websites.

Everything you need to learn about JavaScript in VS Code is presented in this complete tutorial which follows best SEO standards. If you don’t have much experience or wish for a smoother development environment you can count on this book.

What Makes JavaScript Work with Visual Studio Code?

Let’s take a moment to understand why JavaScript VS Code is such a valuable combination.

• Fast processing and smooth startup speed define VS Code.
• IntelliSense Supplies suggestions completes your code and offers inline help or you to learn.
• No need to switch to a terminal. Simply write JavaScript right in your editor.
• Use Git effortlessly inside your text editor.
• In the extensions marketplace you can add features for JavaScript Node.js linting formatting and more.

Because of the integration between JavaScript and VS Code developers can get their jobs done faster produce better quality work and fix bugs quickly.

Learn How to Set Up JavaScript by Following VS Code Directions

We will go through installing JavaScript VS Code step by step.

Download VS Code and help install it on your computer.

1. You can find the official Visual Studio Code site at Microsoft.
2. Press Download and pick your operating system (Windows macOS or Linux).
3. Launch the installer and do everything discussed in the steps on the screen.
4. Start VS Code when you have completed the installation.

After installation you are prepared to start your VS Code coding experience with JavaScript.

For optional but recommended use install Node.js and npm during this stage.

It is possible to use JavaScript outside the browser only after you have Node.js installed.

1. Go to the website officially provided by Node.js.
2. Download the title that offers Long Term Support.
3. Follow the Setup wizard to put it on your computer.

In addition this gets you npm (Node Package Manager) which helps you handle the installation of JavaScript packages. It helps ensure you gain the most from JavaScript VS Code while creating real products.

In the third step work on your first JavaScript project.

Now you will learn how to create your first project with JavaScript VS Code.

1. Operate VS Code.
2. Select File and then Open Folder to make and open a folder for your project.
3. Right-click in the project panel then select New File > script.js.
4. Copy this JavaScript into your browser:

javascript

console.log("Hello from JavaScript VS Code!");

From now on you get practical through using JavaScript inside VS Code.

In Step 4 run JavaScript code in VS Code.

VS Code allows you to run JavaScript in several ways.

1. You can use Node.js as your first option.
2. Use Ctrl + ~ or go to View > Terminal to begin the Terminal in VS Code.

Open the file and run it.

bash

node script.js

You’ll get the output displayed.

css

Greetings to JavaScript VS Code!

If the code editor doesn’t work you can use Code Runner Extension.

For more convenience choose to use the Code Runner extension.

• Press Ctrl + Shift + X to open the Extensions panel.
• Installing Code Runner is easy just search for it and select the option.
• Launch the script.js file and use the Run Code button at the top right or Ctrl + Alt + N on your keyboard.

This method improves the way you write JavaScript in VS Code by making running easy.

In step 5 make sure JavaScript IntelliSense is on.

VS Code includes JavaScript support and you can add on more features:

Recommended Extensions:

• ESLint catches mistakes in your code and encourages you to follow coding standard practices.
• Prettier: Automatically organizes your JavaScript code.
• JavaScript (ES6) code snippets help you create code by using shortcuts.

Search on the marketplace find these extensions and add them to improve your VS Code setup for JavaScript.

Step 6: Set up VS Code for use with JavaScript

Make the development process more comfortable by shaping your environment to fit your style of working with JavaScript.

Modify Settings

Click on File then Preferences and then Settings and adjust settings including:

• Have your code automatically reformatted when you save it.
• Choose how many spaces you want each tab to be.
• You can customize both your font size and the appearance of your theme.

Personalizing your JavaScript VS Code setup makes it both more rewarding and speedy to use.

At Step 7 you will debug JavaScript in VS Code.

A big advantage of JavaScript VS Code is its effective debugger.

1. Add a breakpoint to your script.js by clicking on the line next to it.
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + D to bring up the Run tab.
3. Select Node.js after clicking "Create a launch.json file."
4. Hit the F5 button to begin running the debugger.

Now you are able to view variables go through the code line by line and solve issues — all in VS Code for JavaScript.

Step 8: Sign up for Git for version control.

VS Code supports working with Git when you use JavaScript in your projects.

• Initialize Git:

bash

git init

• From the Source Control panel make a commit and then push your code to GitHub.
• Get the GitHub Pull Requests and Issues extension for a full integration feature.

By using Git and JavaScript VS Code you can handle code changes easily and easily cooperate with your team.

A bonus for JavaScript developers is using helpful VS Code extensions.

Always find these helpful extensions when trying to work more productively in JavaScript VS Code.

• Launch a local server that watches for changes and updates your page instantly.
• When typing a file path Intellisense will fill it in for you.
• Bracket Pair Colorizer: Let’s you identify matching brackets easily.
• Price to Import: Also displays the size of the imported package right next to it.

After adding extensions JavaScript VS Code becomes a very powerful place to develop.

How to use JavaScript with VS Code.

Let’s look at some advice for becoming an expert in JavaScript VS Code:

• You can use snippets to reduce writing repetitive lines many times.
• Group your code into modules to improve how things are organized.
• Don’t over-install; put on extensions that you require.
• Speed up your work by using keyboard shortcuts.
• Updating VS Code helps you access the newest JavaScript changes and fixes.

To be good at JavaScript VS Code make it a habit to regularly use it and try picking from its wide range of customization features.

Final Thoughts

You need to be skilled in using JavaScript VS Code if you really want to become a JavaScript developer. It’s considered one of the easiest to use strongest and free tools available.

In short:

• You can get VS Code at its official website.
• Your JavaScript code can be ran locally using Node.js and npm.
• You can simply write and run JavaScript code inside the editor.
• Add extensions to your browser to increase your productivity.
• Solve code errors and control different versions in the editor itself.

With the tips you’ve learned JavaScript VS Code will help you write JavaScript code that is clean efficient and can easily be scaled.

You’re ready to get started? Let’s begin JavaScript development by installing VS Code right now!