$ ~/registry/skill/microsoft-extensions-copilot-assets-prompts-skills-install-vscode-extension

SKILL

install-vscode-extension

Name: install-vscode-extension
Author: microsoft

Install a VS Code extension from its ID to add needed capabilities.

Stars

★ 187,604

Source

GitHub

Updated

2026-07-17

// securityLow risk

Prompt only, no code
Open source
Community-trusted· 187.6k

Running security audit…

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// install

Copy the install command and let the AI configure it · recommended for beginners

Please install the "install-vscode-extension" skill from askskill:
1. Download https://raw.githubusercontent.com/microsoft/vscode/main/extensions/copilot/assets/prompts/skills/install-vscode-extension/SKILL.md
2. Save it as ~/.claude/skills/install-vscode-extension/SKILL.md
3. Reload skills and tell me it's ready

// download

Download SKILL.mdInstall manifest ↗

// examples

Install a specific development extension

Prompt

Show me how to install the VS Code extension ms-python.python from its extension ID, with clear steps.

Expected

Step-by-step instructions to install the extension by ID, including CLI or UI methods.

Install an extension via command line

Prompt

I want to install the VS Code extension esbenp.prettier-vscode via command line. Give me the exact command.

Expected

The exact install command for VS Code, plus a brief note on how to run it.

Set up a development environment with extensions

Prompt

I have these VS Code extension IDs: dbaeumer.vscode-eslint and ms-vscode.vscode-typescript-next. Tell me how to install each one.

Expected

Installation instructions for each extension ID to help quickly set up the environment.

// docs

Installing VS Code extensions

VS Code extensions are identified by their unique extension ID, which typically follows the format publisher.extensionName. For example, the Python extension by Microsoft has the ID ms-python.python.
To install a VS Code extension, you need to use the VS Code command workbench.extensions.installExtension and pass in the extension ID. The args are of the format:

[extensionId, { enable: true, installPreReleaseVersion: boolean }]

NOTE: install the pre-release version of the extension if the user explicitly mentions it or if the current environment is VS Code Insiders. Otherwise, install the stable version.

Run that command via the copilot_runVscodeCommand tool. Make sure to pass the skipCheck argument as true to avoid checking if the command exists, as we know it does.