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🔵 Open the Project in VS Code and Install Extensions

Open the project in VS Code and install extensions (and additional tools as directed).

1. Open the Project Workspace

Using that same terminal (or a machine terminal open in Repos), change directory (cd) into the repository folder and run code dot (code .).

The code . command opens the current folder as the project workspace in VS Code.

IMPORTANT: The command below is just an example.

Use your exact repository name, e.g. cd bintel-01-intro or cd datafun-01-intro:

cd your-repo
code .
WHY use **code .**?

Using code . is the strongly recommended professional pattern because it helps ensure:

  • the terminal is in the correct directory
  • VS Code opens the correct project root
  • environment discovery happens relative to that root
  • Git commands run in the right repository

Opening the correct project root is especially important when we need to execute Python files.

Help: `code .` didn't open VS Code

On Windows, try re-running the installer with add to path checked. You must close and reopen your terminal for it to take effect.

Download the standard installer from the Official Visual Studio Code Download Page. Run the executable setup file. Advance through the prompt screens. Look for the "Select Additional Tasks" screen. Check the box labeled Add to PATH (requires shell restart). Click next and complete the installation.

When VS Code opens, it may make extension recommendations.

If the project includes a .vscode/extensions.json file, VS Code will automatically recommend extensions for the project. In that case:

  1. Watch for the Recommended Extensions popup
  2. Click Install All

You can also install extensions manually or as VS Code recommends them based on the file types in your projects.

Extensions NOT Recommended

Some extensions are not needed because Ruff handles formatting and linting:

  • ms-python.black-formatter
  • ms-python.autopep8

🏞️ ONLY FOR STREAMING DATA: Install Kafka

In the Streaming Data course:

🏞️ ONLY FOR BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE: Install Spark

In the Business Intelligence course, Mac and Linux users install Spark. It is optional (and nice to know) for Windows users.

Verification

  1. I opened the repository root folder as the project workspace in VS Code using code . and can take a screenshot showing VS Code with only my project open.

  2. I installed the recommended VS Code extensions for the project.

  3. If I am in Streaming Data, I completed the required Kafka setup.

  4. If I am in Business Intelligence, I completed the required Spark setup.

◄ Back to 🔵 Phase 1