How to Install VS Code on Ubuntu 24.04 (Step by Step for Beginners)

This tutorial takes about 2 minutes to complete.

This guide shows how to install Visual Studio Code on Ubuntu 24.04 with apt: download the .deb file, install it with one command and start it. It follows the video, and every command below is the one typed on screen, ready to copy.

Before you start

You need a computer running Ubuntu 24.04, an internet connection and your account password: the install command asks for it.

Jump to a chapter in the video: Download .deb · Install .deb · Run VS Code

Step 1: Download the VS Code .deb

Open your browser and go to code.visualstudio.com/download. Click the Debian/Ubuntu .deb download, then click Download. Open your Downloads folder to check that the VS Code .deb file is there, then close the window.

Step 2: Open a terminal and go to your Downloads folder

Right-click the desktop and choose Open in Terminal. Change into the Downloads folder with the first command below, then run the second command to make sure the .deb file is in there and to see its exact name.

cd ~/Downloads/
ls

Step 3: Install the .deb with apt

Now install it. Type sudo apt install ./ followed by the first letters of the file name, press Tab to autocomplete it and press Enter, then type your password. Type Y for yes to add the Microsoft APT repository for Visual Studio Code: it keeps VS Code up to date with the latest stable version when you run sudo apt update or sudo apt upgrade. The finished command is below. VS Code has been installed when the prompt returns.

sudo apt install ./code_1.145.2-1793945276_amd64.deb

Step 4: Start VS Code

Open it by typing the command below and pressing Enter. You can also open it from the applications menu: click the apps button, scroll down to Visual Studio Code and double-click it.

code