Cloning a GitHub repository into Visual Studio Code (VS Code) lets you quickly start working on projects locally with full Git integration. This guide will walk you through cloning a repo from GitHub directly inside VS Code — no command line needed!
✅ Prerequisites
- Git installed on your computer (Download Git)
- Visual Studio Code installed (Download VS Code)
- A GitHub account and access to the repository you want to clone
Step 1: Copy the GitHub Repository URL
- Go to the repository page on GitHub.
- Click the Code button (usually green, near the top right).
- Copy the HTTPS or SSH URL.
- HTTPS looks like:
https://github.com/username/repo.git - SSH looks like:
gi*@gi****.com:username/repo.git
- HTTPS looks like:
Step 2: Open Visual Studio Code
Launch VS Code on your computer.
Step 3: Open the Command Palette
- Press
Ctrl+Shift+P(Windows/Linux) orCmd+Shift+P(macOS) to open the Command Palette.
Step 4: Run the Clone Command
- In the Command Palette, type Git: Clone and select it.
- Paste the GitHub repository URL you copied earlier.
- Press Enter.
Step 5: Choose Local Folder
- Select a folder on your local machine where you want to clone the repository.
- VS Code will start cloning the repository to that folder.
Step 6: Open the Cloned Repository
- After cloning completes, VS Code will prompt you to Open the cloned repository.
- Click Open to start working in the project folder.
Step 7: Start Coding and Using Git Features
- With the repository open, click the Source Control icon in the sidebar to see Git features.
- You can stage changes, commit, push, pull, branch, and more — all inside VS Code.
Bonus: Using GitHub Authentication in VS Code
For private repos or easier authentication, you can:
- Sign in to GitHub via VS Code.
- Click on the Accounts icon (bottom-left corner) → Sign in to GitHub.
- Follow the prompts to authorize VS Code with your GitHub account.
This removes the need to enter passwords or tokens when pushing/pulling.
Summary
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| Copy GitHub repo URL | Click Code button on GitHub repo |
| Open Command Palette | Ctrl+Shift+P / Cmd+Shift+P |
| Clone repo | Select Git: Clone, paste URL |
| Choose folder | Select local folder to clone into |
| Open project | Click Open when prompted |
Conclusion
Cloning a GitHub repository directly in Visual Studio Code is fast, easy, and convenient. It streamlines your workflow by combining Git version control with a powerful coding environment, so you can focus on writing great code.
