microsoft/hve-core

---
title: Comparing Setup Methods
description: Decision matrix, decision tree, and method comparison to help you choose the right HVE installation approach
sidebar_position: 9
author: Microsoft
ms.date: 2026-03-11
ms.topic: reference
keywords:
  - installation
  - comparison
  - decision matrix
  - setup methods
estimated_reading_time: 3
---

Use this page when you need a detailed side-by-side comparison of all available setup methods. For a quick recommendation, see the [Install](../install.md) page.

## Help You Choose

Answer these three questions to narrow down the best method for your environment:

1. **What's your development environment?**
   * Local VS Code (no devcontainer)
   * Local devcontainer (Docker Desktop)
   * GitHub Codespaces
   * Both local and Codespaces

2. **Solo or team development?**
   * Solo: just you, no version control of HVE Core needed
   * Team: multiple people, need reproducible setup

3. **Update preference?**
   * Auto: always get latest HVE Core
   * Controlled: pin to specific version, update explicitly

## Decision Matrix

| Environment               | Team | Updates    | Recommended Method                    |
|---------------------------|------|------------|---------------------------------------|
| **Any** (simplest)        | Any  | Auto       | [VS Code Extension](extension.md) ⭐   |
| Local (no container)      | Solo | Manual     | [Peer Directory Clone](peer-clone.md) |
| Local (no container)      | Team | Controlled | [Submodule](submodule.md)             |
| Local devcontainer        | Solo | Auto       | [Git-Ignored Folder](git-ignored.md)  |
| Local devcontainer        | Team | Controlled | [Submodule](submodule.md)             |
| Codespaces only           | Solo | Auto       | [GitHub Codespaces](codespaces.md)    |
| Codespaces only           | Team | Controlled | [Submodule](submodule.md)             |
| Both local + Codespaces   | Any  | Any        | [Multi-Root Workspace](multi-root.md) |
| Advanced (shared install) | Solo | Auto       | [Mounted Directory](mounted.md)       |
| Any (CLI preferred)       | Any  | Manual     | [CLI Plugins](cli-plugins.md)         |

## Quick Decision Tree

```text
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                                                                 │
│  Want the simplest setup?                                       │
│  └─ Yes ──────────────────────────────► VS Code Extension ⭐   │
│                                                                 │
│  Need to customize HVE Core?                                    │
│  ├─ Local VS Code only ──────────────► Peer Directory Clone    │
│  ├─ Local devcontainer only ─────────► Git-Ignored Folder      │
│  ├─ Codespaces only ─────────────────► GitHub Codespaces       │
│  └─ Both local + Codespaces ─────────► Multi-Root Workspace    │
│                                                                 │
│  Working in a team?                                             │
│  └─ Yes, need version control ───────► Submodule               │
│                                                                 │
│  Prefer terminal/CLI workflows?                                 │
│  └─ Yes ──────────────────────────────► CLI Plugins            │
│                                                                 │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

## Installation Methods by Category

### Simplest Method (Recommended for Most Users)

| Method                              | Best For                         | Complexity |
|-------------------------------------|----------------------------------|------------|
| [VS Code Extension](extension.md) ⭐ | Anyone wanting zero-config setup | Minimal    |

### Consumer Methods (Customization + Version Control)

These methods are for projects that want to use and potentially customize HVE Core components:

| Method                                | Best For                      | Complexity |
|---------------------------------------|-------------------------------|------------|
| [Multi-Root Workspace](multi-root.md) | Any environment, portable     | Low        |
| [Submodule](submodule.md)             | Teams needing version control | Medium     |

### Developer Methods

These methods are for HVE Core contributors or advanced scenarios:

| Method                                | Best For                      | Complexity |
|---------------------------------------|-------------------------------|------------|
| [Peer Directory Clone](peer-clone.md) | Local VS Code, solo           | Low        |
| [Git-Ignored Folder](git-ignored.md)  | Local devcontainer, solo      | Low        |
| [Mounted Directory](mounted.md)       | Advanced devcontainer sharing | High       |
| [GitHub Codespaces](codespaces.md)    | Codespaces-only projects      | Medium     |
| [CLI Plugins](cli-plugins.md)         | Terminal-based CLI workflows  | Low        |

## Still Not Sure?

Start with the [Marketplace Install](../install.md#marketplace-install-recommended) for the fastest path. If you outgrow it later, any clone-based method can be adopted alongside or instead of the extension.

For detailed documentation on each method, see the [Setup Methods Overview](.).

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