VS Code Quickstart

Open a folder

1. 1 Launch VS Code from Applications → Development or the desktop shortcut.
2. 2 File → Open Folder… → choose /workspace/ (recommended) or a subfolder like /workspace/projects/your-project/.
3. 3 Click Open. When prompted to trust the folder, choose Yes, I trust the authors.

Open /workspace/ so files are saved in your home workspace.

Install essential extensions

1. 1 Open the Extensions panel (left toolbar) and install:
   • Python (Microsoft)
   • Pylance (Microsoft)
   • Jupyter (Microsoft)
2. 2 Reload VS Code if asked.

Extensions — Python, Pylance, and Jupyter.

Select interpreter or create a venv

1. 1 Press Ctrl+Shift+P → type Python: Select Interpreter → choose a Python under /workspace/venv/bin/python if it exists, or create one.
2. 2 To create a venv (recommended per project), open the VS Code integrated terminal (Ctrl+`) and run:

   # create a project folder if needed
   mkdir -p /workspace/projects/hello-vscode && cd /workspace/projects/hello-vscode
   
   
   # create & activate venv  
   python3 -m venv .venv
   source .venv/bin/activate
   
   
   # ensure tooling
   python -m pip install --upgrade pip wheel ipykernel

3. 3 Run Python: Select Interpreter again and pick .venv/bin/python. Jupyter will also see this kernel in notebooks.

Pick the project venv as your interpreter.

Create & run your first script

1. 1 In Explorer, click New File → app.py.
2. 2 Paste:

   # app.py 
   from datetime import datetime
   print("Hello from VS Code on CloudDock! Time =", datetime.now())

3. 3 Click the top-right Run button, or use Run → Run Without Debugging (Ctrl+F5). Output appears in the terminal panel.

Run your script — output in the integrated terminal.

Use notebooks in VS Code

1. 1 File → New File… → notebook.ipynb.
2. 2 When asked for a kernel, choose your project venv. Execute cells with the ▶ button.
3. 3 Data paths: default working directory is your opened folder (e.g., /workspace/projects/hello-vscode).

Debugging (launch.json)

1. 1 Open the Run and Debug view → create a launch.json → choose Python: Current File.
2. 2 Minimal config:

   {
     // launch.json 
     "version": "0.2.0",
     "configurations": [
       {
         "name": "Python: Current File",
         "type": "python",
         "request": "launch",
         "program": "${file}",
         "console": "integratedTerminal"
       }
     ]
   }

3. 3 Set breakpoints and press F5.

Git basics

1. 1 To clone: open terminal and run

   cd /workspace/projects
   git clone https://github.com/your/repo.git
   code /workspace/projects/repo

2. 2 Or initialize:

   cd /workspace/projects/hello-vscode
   git init
   git add .
   git commit -m "first commit on CloudDock"

3. 3 Use the Source Control panel to stage/commit changes.

Recommended settings

// .vscode/settings.json  
{
  "files.autoSave": "afterDelay",
  "editor.formatOnSave": true,
  "python.analysis.typeCheckingMode": "basic",
  "python.defaultInterpreterPath": "${workspaceFolder}/.venv/bin/python"
}

Folder layout (example)

/workspace/
  projects/
    hello-vscode/
      .venv/
      .vscode/
        settings.json
        launch.json
      app.py
      notebook.ipynb

Troubleshooting

“Permission denied” creating venv.

Create venvs under /workspace, not system folders. Example: /workspace/projects/yourproj/.venv.

Interpreter not detected.

Run source .venv/bin/activate, then re-run Python: Select Interpreter. Ensure the Python extension is enabled.

Notebook cannot find kernel.

Install ipykernel inside the venv: python -m pip install ipykernel, then reopen the notebook and pick the venv kernel.