This lesson covers the basics of using [VSCode.dev](https://vscode.dev) a web-based code editor so that you can make changes to your code and contribute to a project without installing anything on your computer.
Before you begin, you'll need to create an account with [GitHub](https://github.com). Navigate to [GitHub](https://github.com/) and create an account if you haven't already.
A code editor is an essential tool for writing programs and collaborating with existing coding projects. Once you understand the basics of an editor and how to make use of its features, you'll be able to apply them when writing code.
[VSCode.dev](https://vscode.dev) is a code editor on the web. You don't need to install anything in order to use it, just like opening any other website. To get started with the editor, open the following link: [https://vscode.dev](https://vscode.dev). If you aren't signed in into [GitHub](https://github.com/), follow the prompts to sign in or create a new account and then sign in.
Click on each of the icons to display a different menu. Once done, click on the _Explorer_ so you are back where you started.
When you start creating code or modifying existing code, it will happen in the biggest area to the right. You'll use this area to visualize existing code as well, which you'll do next.
The first thing you'll need is to open a GitHub repository. There are multiple ways of opening a repository. In this section you'll see two different ways you can open a repository so that you can start working on changes.
You can also use the command palette. The command palette is an input box where you can type any word that is part of a command or an action to find the right command to execute. Use the menu to the top-left, then select _View_, and then pick _Command Palette_, or using the following keyboard shortcut: Ctrl-Shift-P (on MacOS it would be Command-Shift-P).
Once the menu opens, type _open remote repository_, and then select the first option. Multiple repositories that you are part of or that you've opened recently will show up. You can also use a full GitHub URL to select one. Use the following URL and paste into the box:
You can also use a url directly to load a repository. For example, the full URL for the current repo is [https://github.com/microsoft/Web-Dev-For-Beginners](https://github.com/microsoft/Web-Dev-For-Beginners), but you can swap the GitHub domain with `VSCode.dev/github` and load the repository directly. The resulting URL would be [https://vscode.dev/github/microsoft/Web-Dev-For-Beginners](https://vscode.dev/github/microsoft/Web-Dev-For-Beginners).
You can either create a file inside an existing folder, or create it in the root directory/folder. To create a new file, open a location/directory to which you want the file to be saved and select the _'New file ...'_ icon on the activity bar _(left)_, give it a name and hit enter.
To view the changes you made to your project, select the file(s) in the `Changes` folder in the expanded activity bar. This will open a 'Working Tree' for you to visually see the changes you made to the file. Red shows an omission to the project, while green signifies an addition.
If you are satisfied with the changes you made, hover on the `Changes` folder and click the `+` button to stage the changes. Staging simply means preparing your changes to commit them to GitHub.
Installing extensions on VSCode allows you to add new features and customized development environment options on your editor to improve your development workflow. These extensions also help you add support for multiple programming languages and are often either generic extensions or language-based extensions.
To browse through the list of all available extensions, click the _`Extensions icon`_ on the activity bar and start typing the name of the extension on the text field labelled _'Search Extensions in Marketplace'_.
You will see a list of extensions, each one containing **the extension name, publisher's name, a 1 sentence description, number of downloads** and **a star rating**.
You can also view all previously installed extensions by expanding the _`Installed folder`_ , popular extensions used by most developers in the _`Popular folder`_ and recommended extensions for you either by users in the same workspace or based on your recently opened files in the _`recommended folder`_ .
To install an extension, type the extension's name in the search field and click on it to view additional information about the extension on the code area once it appears on the expanded activity bar.
You can either click the _blue install button_ on the expanded activity bar to install or use the install button that appears on the code area once you select the extension to load additional information.
After installing the extension, you may need to modify its behaviour and customize it based on your preferences. To do this, select the Extensions icon, and this time, your extension will appear in the _Installed folder_, click on the _**Gear icon**_ and navigate to _Extensions Setting_
After installing and using your extension, vscode.dev offers options to manage your extension based on different needs. For example, you may choose to:
Select the installed extension on the expanded activity bar > click the Gear icon > select 'Disable' or 'Disable (Workspace)' **OR** Open the extension on the code area and click the blue Disable button.
- **Uninstall:** Select installed extension on the expanded activity bar > click the Gear icon > select 'Uninstall' **OR** Open the extension on the code area and click the blue Uninstall button.
[Create a resume website using vscode.dev](https://github.com/microsoft/Web-Dev-For-Beginners/blob/main/8-code-editor/1-using-a-code-editor/assignment.md)
