Start by getting comfortable

You do not have to become a programmer to understand the app your AI assistant works in. This course begins with what you can see, where to click and how to ask for one small change.

Open a lesson, explore a prepared example and try a short question. There is no project to hand in. Opening VS Code and trying a few small clicks is optional whenever you feel ready.

Git is a history of changes to files and folders. Practical Git, terminal and PowerShell concepts are covered in the separate courses below when you are ready.

Free written lessonsImmediate explanationsYour own pace

The three areas you will recognize

Files on the left. Your open document in the center. Your AI conversation can sit on the right. Choose a part of this illustration to learn what it does.

VS Code

My learning folder› Welcome.txt› Images› Notes

Welcome to my page

A friendly introduction goes here.

You can read the actual words before keeping a change.

Example request
Help me shorten this welcome message.

Example response
Here is a shorter version. Review the file before keeping it.

Illustrated desktop layout, not a screenshot or a working editor. Choose a labeled part to learn what it does. On smaller screens, this illustration stacks the panels; the real layout and AI panel can vary.

Choose Explorer, Editor or AI chat to start. You are exploring an illustration; nothing on your computer changes.

See the real VS Code layout

VS Code with the Explorer file list on the left, the central editor area, and AI Chat in the right side bar. — Microsoft documentation screenshot of Explorer, the editor and Chat. Appearance varies with your theme, layout and chosen agent. Microsoft Corporation / Visual Studio Code documentation Microsoft documentation source · Image license

Recorded videos have not been added. The written lessons and interactive examples are ready to use.

Get ready whenever you want

You can begin in this browser first. If you want the real app beside the lesson, use these two downloads.

A starter folder you can simply open

Use the prepared practice files when you want to see a real example. You do not need to write code or build a project from scratch.

Download the starter ZIP

Extract the ZIP, then open the proscris-academy-starter folder. Its START-HERE.html page guides you. The shared/ folder holds common resources, while courses/vs-code-for-beginners/ holds this course’s prepared files.

This ZIP contains practice files. It does not install VS Code or include an AI subscription. You can also explore every browser activity without downloading it.

Open the official VS Code download page

Choose the version for your own computer. Use the official site and take your time with the installer’s prompts.

Get VS Code from Microsoft

windows

Open the official VS Code download page and choose the Windows User setup appropriate for your computer.
Open the downloaded installer and follow its screens. Use your organization-approved method on a managed device.
Launch Visual Studio Code from the Start menu, then choose File, Open Folder and select the extracted starter folder.

Official windows guidance

macos

Download the official macOS version for your Mac from the VS Code site.
Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag Visual Studio Code.app into Applications.
Open VS Code from Applications, then choose File, Open Folder and select the extracted starter folder.

Official macos guidance

linux

Choose the package matching your distribution on the official VS Code download page.
On Debian or Ubuntu, the official guide supports installing the .deb package with the graphical software center. Other distributions can use a suitable graphical package installer or administrator-assisted setup.
Open VS Code from your applications menu when installed. If graphical installation is unavailable, use the browser course now and seek setup help before continuing the optional app steps.

Official linux guidance

Your ten small steps

Follow the order, or return to the part you want to recognize again. The times are a rough guide, and there is no deadline.

01
Welcome: Your Course Folder Is Ready
Get comfortable with the course, meet the ready-made practice folder, and see what you will learn before installing anything.
About 8 min
02
Install VS Code and Open the Course Folder
Use the official download, follow the setup for your computer, and open the extracted course folder through a menu.
About 15 min
03
Find Your Way Around the Three Main Areas
Learn the file list on the left, the work in the middle, the chat on the right, and the few helpful buttons around them.
About 10 min
04
Open Course Files and Switch Between Tabs
Explore the prepared course folder, understand shared material, and move between two friendly files without creating anything.
About 10 min
05
Meet the AI Conversation Beside Your Work
Recognize the chat panel, try a friendly example question, and understand how an assistant can help with the file you are viewing.
About 10 min
06
Give Your Assistant a Helpful Starting Point
Compare a vague request with a clear one that uses the ready-written about-me example, without creating any instructions yourself.
About 10 min
07
Ask for One Small Change
Use a prepared request to improve one sentence in the notes file, then look at the result together.
About 10 min
08
Read the Before-and-After Change Preview
Use the red and green comparison to recognize what changed, while relying on words and labels as well as color.
About 10 min
09
Save, Reopen, and Find Your Work Again
Recognize the difference between a file and its open tab, save through the menu, and return to the same prepared document.
About 10 min
10
Your Everyday Flow With an AI Assistant
Bring the tour together into a simple routine: find the file, ask clearly, look at the result, and return when you need it.
About 10 min

Choose your next course

Understand your agent

How Your Agent Uses Tools

Understand file tools, the terminal, connectors, extensions and plugins while keeping your own role simple: describe the outcome and review the evidence.