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How to install the extension

Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF Connect for VS Code Extension Pack turns VS Code into a complete IDE for developing applications with the nRF Connect SDK for devices from the nRF91 Series, nRF53 Series, and nRF52 Series. The extension is supported on Windows, macOS, or Linux. It includes an interface to the compiler and linker, an RTOS-aware debugger, a seamless interface to the nRF Connect SDK, and a serial terminal.

The nRF Connect for VS Code Extension Pack is meant to be used with the nRF Connect SDK. To install the extension pack, choose one of the following nRF Connect SDK installation options:

Installing on Linux

If you are using the nRF Connect SDK version 2.0.0 or higher on Linux, follow the recommended procedure above. If you are using an older version of the nRF Connect SDK, complete the following steps:

  1. Install the nRF Command Line Tools.
  2. Install the nRF Connect SDK by following the manual installation steps.
  3. Install VS Code.
  4. Install the nRF Connect Extension Pack.

Installing from the Marketplace and VS Code

For evaluation purposes or in cases where you already have installed the nRF Connect SDK, you can install the nRF Connect for VS Code Extension Pack separately from the SDK.

To install the nRF Connect for VS Code Extension Pack manually, use one of the following options:

Migrating from other IDEs

If you have used the command line or other IDEs for work with the nRF Connect SDK, such as SEGGER Embedded Studio (SES), you can migrate your existing application to the Visual Studio Code. All you need to do is to use the Add an existing application option in the Welcome View and then follow the instructions for building an application.

Opening the extension

The installation adds the nRF Connect icon to the Activity Bar of the Visual Studio Code. Click the icon to open the extension or press Ctrl+Alt+N.

Extension icon in the Activity Bar