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Guide · Open source

How to use VSCodium: install, run and get extensions

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

VSCodium is a free/libre, MIT-licensed build of Microsoft's Visual Studio Code editor, with telemetry disabled and Microsoft branding removed. This guide shows you how to install it with your platform's package manager, what to expect from its extension setup, and where to find help. By the end you will be able to install VSCodium on macOS, Windows or Linux and understand its main trade-offs.

VSCodiumVSCodium/vscodium · ★ 33.9k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Pick your install method. Choose the package manager you already use: Homebrew on macOS, WinGet, Chocolatey or Scoop on Windows, or snap or Flatpak on Linux.
  2. 2Run the install command. Run the stable install command for your platform exactly as shown in the README.
  3. 3Open VSCodium. Launch the app from your applications menu or the command line once installation finishes.
  4. 4Check the extension source. Extensions come from open-vsx.org, so confirm the extension you want is available there.
  5. 5Review license terms. Some extensions have licensing terms that may not apply to VSCodium, so read them before use.
  6. 6Read the docs if stuck. Consult the Troubleshooting page and the existing GitHub issues for help.

What VSCodium is and who it suits

VSCodium is not a fork. The project is a set of scripts that automatically build Microsoft's vscode repository into binaries under the MIT license, with a community-driven default configuration.

It suits developers who want the VS Code interface without Microsoft's telemetry or license terms, and people who prefer free/libre software. It is less suitable if you need the official Visual Studio Marketplace or Microsoft-only features.

  • Good fit: the VS Code experience with telemetry disabled and an MIT-licensed build
  • Good fit: installing through Homebrew, WinGet, Chocolatey, Scoop, snapd or Flatpak
  • Poor fit: you need Microsoft-only extensions or features that depend on Microsoft services

Install VSCodium on macOS with Homebrew

If you have Homebrew installed, install the stable release as a cask. The README also lists an insiders cask for testing newer builds.

brew install --cask vscodium

Install VSCodium on Windows with WinGet, Chocolatey or Scoop

On Windows, use the package manager you already have. With WinGet, the stable build installs with the command below. The README also lists Chocolatey and Scoop options for stable builds.

  • Chocolatey: run choco install vscodium
  • Scoop: add the extras bucket with scoop bucket add extras, then run scoop install vscodium
winget install -e --id VSCodium.VSCodium

Install VSCodium on Linux with snap or Flatpak

The Snap Store lists VSCodium as Codium, and the README credits the Snapcrafters community for it. For Flatpak, the app is on Flathub and the README gives the install and run commands below. Other Linux options include the deb, rpm and tar downloads on the releases page, and the Arch Linux AUR packages vscodium-bin and vscodium-insiders-bin.

snap install codium --classic flatpak install flathub com.vscodium.codium flatpak run com.vscodium.codium

Get extensions from open-vsx.org

VSCodium uses open-vsx.org for extensions because the Visual Studio Marketplace terms limit Marketplace use to Visual Studio products and services. Extensions from the registry are the ones you install in VSCodium.

The README also notes that some Visual Studio Code extensions have licensing terms that may not apply to VSCodium. Check an extension's license before relying on it.

  • Use open-vsx.org as the extension source
  • Check each extension's license before you depend on it
  • Microsoft-only extensions may not be available

Troubleshoot and learn more

The project's docs cover getting telemetry disabled and tips for moving from Visual Studio Code to VSCodium. For problems, check the Troubleshooting page and the existing issues on GitHub. If your problem is with a Linux package manager install, the README says to report it to that package repository's issue tracker.

  • Docs: docs/index.md in the VSCodium repository
  • Troubleshooting: docs/troubleshooting.md
  • Build from source: docs/howto-build.md

What people use it for

  • Editing code in the VS Code interface without Microsoft telemetry
  • Installing a freely licensed editor through an existing package manager
  • Redistributing an MIT-licensed editor build
  • Using open-vsx.org extensions for everyday development

Frequently asked questions

Is VSCodium free?

VSCodium is free/libre software released under the MIT license. The project says free refers to freedom, not price, and its binaries are licensed under MIT with telemetry disabled.

How do I install VSCodium on Mac?

If you have Homebrew, run brew install --cask vscodium. The README also lists an insiders cask for newer test builds.

How do I install VSCodium on Windows?

Use WinGet with winget install -e --id VSCodium.VSCodium, or use Chocolatey with choco install vscodium, or Scoop after adding the extras bucket.

Can I use the Visual Studio Marketplace extensions in VSCodium?

VSCodium uses open-vsx.org instead. The Marketplace terms only allow use with Visual Studio products and services, so Marketplace-only extensions are not the intended source.

Is VSCodium the same as Visual Studio Code?

VSCodium builds from Microsoft's VS Code source, but the project is a set of build scripts rather than a fork. Its binaries are MIT-licensed, with telemetry disabled and Microsoft branding removed.

Where do I get help if VSCodium does not work?

Check the Troubleshooting page in the docs and the existing issues on GitHub. For package manager install problems, use that package repository's issue tracker.

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Our verdict

VSCodium suits developers and free-software users who want the VS Code experience without Microsoft's telemetry or license terms, and who are happy with open-vsx.org extensions. If you need the official Marketplace or Microsoft-only features, pick Visual Studio Code instead.

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