Why VS Code for AI Development?
Visual Studio Code is one of the most popular editors for AI development. With extensions like Continue.dev, Copilot, and Cursor integration, it becomes a powerful AI pair programming environment.
Step 1: Install VS Code
- 1. Visit code.visualstudio.com
- 2. Download the macOS version (Universal for M-series and Intel)
- 3. Drag to Applications folder
-
4.
Open VS Code and install command line tools:
code --install-extension ms-vscode-remote.remote-ssh
Step 2: Essential Extensions for AI
Open Extensions (Cmd+Shift+X) and install:
🤖 Continue.dev
Open-source AI pair programming with any model
continue.continue
🐍 Python
Microsoft's official Python extension
ms-python.python
📝 Pylance
Fast Python language server
ms-python.vscode-pylance
🔧 GitLens
Git supercharged with AI insights
eamodio.gitlens
🎨 GitHub Copilot
AI autocomplete (requires subscription)
GitHub.copilot
Step 3: Configure Continue.dev
After installing Continue, configure it to use your preferred models:
// config.json in ~/.continue/config.json
{
"models": [
{
"title": "Ollama",
"provider": "ollama",
"model": "llama3.2"
},
{
"title": "Claude",
"provider": "anthropic",
"model": "claude-3-5-sonnet",
"apiKey": "your-api-key"
}
],
"tabAutocompleteModel": {
"title": "Ollama",
"provider": "ollama",
"model": "starcoder2:3b"
}
}Essential Keyboard Shortcuts
Cmd+P
Quick open files
Cmd+Shift+P
Command palette
Cmd+`
Toggle terminal
Cmd+L
Continue.dev chat
Cmd+I
Continue.dev inline edit
Tab
Accept Copilot suggestion
🔧 Troubleshooting
Continue.dev not showing
Press Cmd+L to open the sidebar. Make sure the extension is enabled.
Python not detected
Install Python extension and select interpreter: Cmd+Shift+P → "Python: Select Interpreter"
Slow performance
Disable unused extensions. Use "Developer: Show Running Extensions" to see what's active.
🎉 VS Code is Ready!
Your editor is configured for AI development. Next, set up Git/GitHub for version control, or jump into Continue.dev and start coding with AI assistance.