Installing the popular code editor, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), on Arch Linux provides developers with a versatile tool. Arch Linux, known for its simplicity and control, offers multiple ways to manage software installation. Understanding these options is key to a smooth setup.
The most straightforward and recommended approach for installing VS Code on Arch Linux is through the official Arch Linux repositories. This method ensures you get a stable, well-integrated package maintained by the Arch Linux team. The package is typically the open-source version of VS Code, often referred to as code.
To install it using the official repository, you’ll use the pacman package manager. Open your terminal and execute the following command:
sudo pacman -S code
This command tells pacman to synchronize the repositories and then install the code package. You will be prompted for your password and asked to confirm the installation. Once completed, VS Code will be available in your application menu. This method is simple, reliable, and benefits from Arch’s regular updates.
An alternative method involves the Arch User Repository (AUR). The AUR contains user-submitted package builds. For VS Code, the AUR often hosts the official Microsoft binary version (usually named visual-studio-code-bin) which might include proprietary components not present in the open-source code package from the official repositories.
Installing from the AUR requires an AUR helper like yay or paru, or you can build the package manually. Using an AUR helper simplifies the process. For example, with yay, the command would be:
yay -S visual-studio-code-bin
Or with paru:
paru -S visual-studio-code-bin
These commands will download the build script from the AUR, check for dependencies, and build/install the package. Be aware that AUR packages are user-maintained and not supported by the Arch Linux developers directly. While visual-studio-code-bin is very popular and generally trustworthy, always exercise caution when installing from the AUR.
Another common package for the official binary on the AUR is visual-studio-code-insiders-bin for the insider builds.
Keeping VS Code updated is crucial for security and new features. If you installed from the official repository, regular system updates using sudo pacman -Syu will update VS Code along with other system packages. If you installed from the AUR using a helper, running the helper’s update command (e.g., yay or paru) will check for and install updates for AUR packages.
In summary, the recommended installation method for VS Code on Arch Linux is via the code package in the official extra repository using pacman. For those needing the official Microsoft binary, the AUR provides visual-studio-code-bin, installable with an AUR helper. Choose the method that best fits your needs and ensure you keep your system and applications, including your code editor, regularly updated.
Source: https://itsfoss.com/install-vs-code-arch-linux/
