How to open Visual Studio Code from the command line on OSX?

Question

The docs mention an executable called code, but I'm not sure where I can find that so I can put it on my path. The zip I downloaded from the VSCode site did not include any such executable. (I am able to run the .app just fine.)

Is this a Windows-only thing?

Answer 1

From the Visual Studio Code Setup page:

Tip: If you want to run VS Code from the terminal by simply typing 'code', VS Code has a command, Shell Command: Install 'code' command in PATH, to add 'code' to your $PATH variable list.

After installation, launch VS Code. Now open the Command Palette (F1 or ⇧+⌘+P on Mac) and type shell command to find the Shell Command: Install 'code' command in PATH command.

After executing the command, restart the terminal for the new $PATH value to take effect. You'll be able to simply type 'code .' in any folder to start editing files in that folder.

Answer 2

⚡️ The Easy Solution.

1. Download, install and open Visual Studio Code.
2. Open the Command Palette (⌘ + ⇧ + P on Mac) OR View ❯ Command Palette

🌟 3. Type shell command to find Shell Command: Install 'code' command in PATH command

4. Install it and you're done

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📟 Here's a complimentary GIF.

After that, you can use code or code . in the terminal.

code 

Peace! ✌️

If you'd like to go a little bit further and learn a couple of great tips/tricks for using the VSCode CLI, I made a YouTube video on my workflows.