Setup and Interface

Open a Project Folder

Learn to work with a folder as a workspace and keep related website files together in this beginner-friendly Visual Studio Code lesson.

Learning outcomes

  • Explain how to work with a folder as a workspace.
  • Complete the guided activity safely.
  • Check that you can keep related website files together.

Before you begin

Use a non-sensitive practice folder, inspect unfamiliar code before trusting it, and never place passwords, tokens or private information in project files.

Open official guidance ↗

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Open the intended practice workspace in Visual Studio Code and confirm its folder name and Workspace Trust state.
  2. Create and open a safe practice folder.
  3. Save the relevant files and review the Problems panel, terminal, Source Control view or browser preview as appropriate.
  4. Check filenames, relative paths, console messages, keyboard use, mobile layout and privacy before continuing.
  5. Confirm that you can keep related website files together, then create a clear commit, backup or saved checkpoint.
Ian's practical tip: Work in one named project folder, preview after small changes, read the actual error message and keep a recoverable version before broad edits.

Practical activity

Create and open a safe practice folder. The expected result is to keep related website files together.

Completion checklist