---
title: VS Code Extension Installation
description: Install HVE-Core as a VS Code extension from the marketplace
sidebar_position: 1
author: Microsoft
ms.date: 2026-01-07
ms.topic: how-to
keywords:
- extension
- installation
- marketplace
- github copilot
estimated_reading_time: 4
---
VS Code Extension installation provides HVE-Core directly through the VS Code Marketplace. This is the simplest zero-configuration method that works across all environments.
## When to Use This Method
✅ **Use this when:**
* You want the simplest possible setup
* You don't need to customize HVE-Core components
* You work across different machines and environments
* You want automatic updates through VS Code
* You prefer marketplace-managed extensions
* You want a clean, zero-configuration setup
❌ **Consider alternatives when:**
* You need to customize custom agents, prompts, or instructions → [Peer Clone](peer-clone.md) or [Git-Ignored](git-ignored.md)
* Your team needs to version control HVE-Core → [Submodule](submodule.md)
* You're contributing to HVE-Core development → [Peer Clone](peer-clone.md)
* You need to test pre-release versions → [Multi-Root Workspace](multi-root.md)
## How It Works
The extension packages all HVE-Core components (chat agents, prompts, instructions) as a standard VS Code extension. Once installed, all components are immediately available without any additional configuration.
```text
VS Code Extension System
├── Extension installed via marketplace
│ ├── .github/agents/ # All chat agents
│ ├── .github/prompts/ # All prompt templates
│ ├── .github/instructions/ # All coding guidelines
│ └── .github/skills/ # All skill packages
└── Only optional workspace configuration needed!
```
## Quick Start
### Option 1: Install from Marketplace (Recommended)
1. Open VS Code
2. Go to Extensions view (`Ctrl+Shift+X`)
3. Search for "HVE Core"
4. Click **Install**
**Or click here:** [Install HVE Core Extension](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ise-hve-essentials.hve-core)
### Option 2: Install from Command Line
```bash
code --install-extension ise-hve-essentials.hve-core
```
### Option 3: Install Using VS Code Insiders
```bash
code-insiders --install-extension ise-hve-essentials.hve-core
```
## Verification
After installation, verify everything works:
1. Open GitHub Copilot Chat (`Ctrl+Alt+I`)
2. Click the agent picker dropdown
3. Verify HVE-Core agents appear:
* task-planner
* task-researcher
* task-implementor
* pr-review
* adr-creation
## Post-Installation (Optional)
These optional configurations enhance your HVE-Core experience but are not required for basic functionality.
### Update Your .gitignore
HVE-Core agents create ephemeral workflow artifacts in a `.copilot-tracking/` folder within your project. Add this line to your project's `.gitignore`:
```text
.copilot-tracking/
```
This applies even when using the extension. The folder is created in your project directory when you use agents like `task-researcher` or `pr-review`. See the [installation guide](../install.md#post-installation-update-your-gitignore) for details on what gets stored there.
## What's Included
The extension provides all HVE-Core components:
| Component | Examples |
|--------------|-----------------------------------------|
| Chat Agents | task-planner, pr-review, adr-creation |
| Prompts | git-commit, pull-request, ado-create-pr |
| Instructions | markdown, python-script, commit-message |
| Skills | pr-reference, video-to-gif |
## Updating
The extension updates automatically through VS Code's extension system:
* Extensions update automatically when new versions are released (default)
* Open Extensions view → find "HVE Core" → click **Update** for manual updates
* Right-click the extension → "Switch to Pre-Release Version" for pre-release access
## Comparison with Other Methods
### Pros ✅
| Advantage | Detail |
|-------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|
| Zero configuration | No workspace settings or file cloning required |
| Works everywhere | Local, devcontainers, Codespaces, any environment |
| Automatic updates | VS Code manages updates automatically |
| No repository pollution | Nothing added to your project |
| Instant availability | Works immediately after installation |
| No manual setup | No scripts to run or paths to configure |
| Marketplace managed | Centralized distribution and versioning |
### Cons ❌
| Limitation | Detail |
|------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|
| No customization | Can't modify custom agents, prompts, or instructions |
| Extension updates only | Testing development versions requires extra setup |
| No version pinning | Uses latest version (or opt into pre-release) |
| No team control | Can't enforce specific versions across team |
| Limited flexibility | Can't combine with custom local modifications |
## Common Scenarios
### Scenario 1: Quick Personal Use
**Goal:** Start using HVE-Core immediately without setup
**Solution:** Install the extension from marketplace
#### Steps
1. Install extension from marketplace
2. Start using `task-planner` and other agents
3. That's it!
### Scenario 2: Multi-Machine Developer
**Goal:** Use HVE-Core consistently across laptop, desktop, and Codespaces
**Solution:** Install extension on all machines via Settings Sync
#### Steps
1. Enable Settings Sync in VS Code
2. Install extension on one machine
3. Extensions automatically sync to other devices
### Scenario 3: Team Adoption
**Goal:** Get entire team using HVE-Core quickly
**Solution:** Share extension link and install instructions
#### Steps
1. Share marketplace link with team
2. Team members install extension
3. Everyone has consistent experience immediately
### Scenario 4: Want to Customize Later
**Goal:** Start with extension, later switch to customization
**Solution:** Use extension initially, migrate to Peer Clone when needed
#### Steps
1. Start with extension for quick setup
2. When customization needed, uninstall extension
3. Follow [Peer Clone](peer-clone.md) method for local modifications
## Troubleshooting
### Extension Not Appearing
#### Check extension is installed
1. Open Extensions view (`Ctrl+Shift+X`)
2. Search "HVE Core"
3. Verify "Installed" badge appears
#### Reload VS Code
1. Command Palette (`Ctrl+Shift+P`)
2. "Developer: Reload Window"
### Agents Not Showing in Copilot Chat
#### Verify GitHub Copilot is active
1. Check Copilot icon in status bar
2. Sign in if needed
#### Check extension status
1. Extensions view → "HVE Core"
2. Verify no errors shown
3. Click "Show Extension Output" if issues
### Conflicting Installation Methods
If you have both extension and manual installation (like Peer Clone):
**Problem:** Duplicate agents appearing
**Solution:** Choose one method:
* Keep extension: Remove manual installation (delete cloned folder, remove workspace settings)
* Keep manual: Uninstall extension
### Update Not Appearing
#### Force check for updates
1. Extensions view → ⋯ (More Actions)
2. "Check for Extension Updates"
#### Manually update
1. Extensions view → Find "HVE Core"
2. Click "Update" button
## Migration Guide
### From Manual Installation to Extension
If you're currently using manual methods like Peer Clone:
1. Delete HVE-Core paths from `.vscode/settings.json`
2. Optionally remove the hve-core clone if no longer needed
3. Install the extension following the Quick Start above
4. Verify agents appear in Copilot Chat
### From Extension to Manual Installation
If you need customization:
1. Uninstall the extension from Extensions view
2. Follow a manual method such as [Peer Clone](peer-clone.md) for local customization
3. Customize agents, prompts, or instructions as needed
## Limitations
| Aspect | Status |
|------------------|--------------------------------------------------|
| Customization | ❌ Cannot modify components |
| Version control | ⚠️ Extension updates only, no git control |
| Team enforcement | ⚠️ Each member installs independently |
| Dev/testing | ⚠️ Pre-release channel only, not custom branches |
| Portable paths | ✅ Works everywhere |
| Setup complexity | ✅ Simplest possible |
| Disk usage | ✅ Single installation across all projects |
## Next Steps
* [Your First Workflow](../first-workflow.md) - Try HVE-Core with a real task
* [Multi-Root Workspace](multi-root.md) - Combine extension with custom components
* [Peer Clone](peer-clone.md) - Switch to customizable installation
---
<!-- markdownlint-disable MD036 -->
*🤖 Crafted with precision by ✨Copilot following brilliant human instruction,
then carefully refined by our team of discerning human reviewers.*
<!-- markdownlint-enable MD036 -->microsoft/hve-core
Publicmirrored fromhttps://github.com/microsoft/hve-coreAvailable
docs/getting-started/methods/extension.md
286lines · modepreview