How to Install VS Code on Arch Linux (Step by Step for Beginners)

beginnerSoftware Install1 min
Independently tested and verified on Nov 13, 2026. Commands reproduced exactly as run.
Video thumbnail: How to Install VS Code on Arch Linux (Step by Step for Beginners)

Prerequisites

  • A computer running Arch Linux
  • An internet connection to download the package
  • Your account password, which sudo asks for during the install

This tutorial takes about 1 minute to complete.

This guide shows how to install Visual Studio Code on Arch Linux with pacman: one command updates your system and installs the open source Code - OSS build, then you start it from the applications menu or the terminal. It follows the video.

Before you start

You need a computer running Arch Linux, an internet connection and your account password: the install command asks for it.

Jump to a chapter in the video: Intro · Install Code · Run Code OSS

Step 1: Update your system and install Code - OSS

Open a terminal and run sudo pacman -Syu code. It updates your repositories, upgrades the system and installs the open source Code - OSS build of VS Code. Enter your password and answer yes to proceed. If you need the Microsoft branded build, install visual-studio-code-bin from the AUR instead. Reboot and log back in.

sudo pacman -Syu code

The terminal with the sudo pacman -Syu code command typed, ready to run on Arch Linux.

Step 2: Start Code - OSS

Open the applications menu and look for code-OSS, or open a terminal and type the word code. Either way VS Code starts.

code

Code - OSS window open on Arch Linux after the install

FAQ

Open a terminal, run `sudo pacman -Syu code`, enter your password and answer yes, then start it from the applications menu or with the `code` command.
No. The code package is Code - OSS, the open source build, which works the same. For the Microsoft branded build install Visual Studio Code Bin from the AUR instead.
Yes. The sudo pacman command asks for your account password; type it when the terminal asks.
Open the applications menu and look for code-OSS, or type the `code` command in the terminal.

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