How to open browser from Visual Studio Code API

Question

I am just exploring a way in order to open the default browser from Visual Studio Code API used for developing extensions.

Following is my code :

var disposable = vscode.commands.registerCommand('extension.browser', () => {
  // The code you place here will be executed every time your command is executed
  vscode.Uri.call("http://facebook.com");
});

How to open Browser URL from API using vscode class.

Answer 1

There is no need for node or external libraries.

If you are using VS Code 1.31+, use the vscode.env.open function:

import * as vscode from 'vscode';

vscode.env.openExternal(vscode.Uri.parse('https://example.com'));

For older VS Code versions, use the vscode.open command:

vscode.commands.executeCommand('vscode.open', vscode.Uri.parse('https://example.com'))

Both of these will open the page in the user's default browser