Setup and Interface

User and Workspace Settings

Learn to separate personal and project-specific preferences and apply settings at the correct scope in this beginner-friendly Visual Studio Code lesson.

Learning outcomes

  • Explain how to separate personal and project-specific preferences.
  • Complete the guided activity safely.
  • Check that you can apply settings at the correct scope.

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. Change one reversible editor setting.
  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 apply settings at the correct scope, 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

Change one reversible editor setting. The expected result is to apply settings at the correct scope.

Completion checklist