How to set up SSH, Git and Copilot Extensions in Visual Studio Code

1- Prerequisites

• 1.1 Ensure VS Code installed (VS Official Website)

  • For now, please don’t install the latest version1.100.x , choose 1.98.2 or below
  • Recommended VSCodeUserSetup-x64-1.98.2.exe

• 1.2 Active internet connection required

• 1.3 GitHub Copilot account

2- Installation, configuration and connection of Remote-SSH Extension in Visual Studio Code

2.1 Install Remote-SSH Extension

1. Open Visual Studio Code Extensions Marketplace

• Use the Ctrl+Shift+X shortcut key or click ‘Extensions’ on the left side

2. Search and install Extension

• Due to some issues with the latest version (0.120.0), it is advisable to avoid using it until these are resolved
• If you are currently in the process of installing the latest version (0.120.0) of Remote-SSH, you will need to uninstall it and install an earlier version (i.e. 0.119.0).
• Then type Remote-SSH in the search box and click Install

3. Verify installation

• When the ‘Remote Explorer’ icon appears in the left activity bar, the extension has been successfully installed
  

2.2 Configure SSH connection

1. Generate SSH key(If needed)

• The command is:

ssh-keygen

2. Add public key to remote host(optional)

• If you want to log into the machine remotely without entering a password, do this step
• Manually copy the contents of ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub to the remote machine ~/.ssh/authorized_keys
• Please note that this is an addition, not an overwrite

3. Add host in VS Code

• 1. Click ‘Remote Explorer‘ in the leftmost column of VSCode
• 2. The following picture appears, click ‘+’ (New Remote) on the right side of SSH to add a new SSH Host

• 3. Enter the connect command
     

     • Input command format:

ssh username@remote_host_ip

• 4. Next select the config file save path (The first one is selected by default , ~/.ssh/config)
• 5. When you see ‘Host added’ in the lower right corner of the VSCode, it means that the Host has been added successfully

2.3 Connect to Remote Host

1. Initiate connection

• Click ‘Refresh’ to the right of REMOTES(TUNNELS/SSH)
• The machine name you just configured will appear under SSH
• Click on the target host and select ‘Connect to Host in New Window’

2. Check connection status

• When the lower left corner of the screen appears ‘SSH:remote_host_ip’ , indicates that the remote connection to the machine was successful

3. Open remote project

• Click File→Open Folder and select the remote directory

3- Installation, configuration and use of Git Extension in Visual Studio Code

3.1 Install Git

1. Download and install Git

• Windows: Visit the Git official website to download the installer

2. Verify installation

• The command:

git --version

• The version number is displayed after a successful installation

3.2 Configure Git in VS Code

1. Install Git Extension

• VS Code has built-in Git support, so there is no need to install any additional extensions
• For enhancements, search for ‘GitLens’ . Use the Ctrl+Shift+X shortcut key or click Extensions on the left side of the VS Code
• Then type GitLens in the search box, click Install

2. Set Git user info and check
Set Info

    git config --global user.name "your name"
    git config --global user.email "your.email@example.com"

Check Configuration

    git config --list

3.3 Use basic Git

1. Clone a remote repository

• Get the repository URL
• Clone in VS Code

Open VS Code and press ' Ctrl+` '
Run command : git clone Repository URL

2. Open the cloned repository

• Load project
  Click File→Open Folder and select the cloned repository directory
• Verify repository status
  Click … -> Terminal-> New Terminal, Then type the git command in the termainal box below

4- Installation and use of the GitHub Copilot Extension in Visual Studio Code

4.1 Install GitHub Copilot Extension

1. Open Visual Studio Code Extensions Marketplace

• 1. Use the Ctrl+Shift+X shortcut key or click Extensions on the left side
• 2. Search and install Extension
     • Then type GitHub Copilot in the search box, click Install
     • The same way you can install the GitHub Copilot Chat Extention
• 3. Verify installation
     • The GitHub Copilot Extension has been installed successfully when a small robot icon appears in the bottom right corner and we are prompted to log in to our GitHub accont
     • The GitHub Copilot Chat Extension has been installed successfully when two intersecting text boxed appear in the left column
• 4. Sign in with your GitHub Copilot account

4.2 Use GitHub Copilot Extension

1. Assisted Programming

• As you write code, Copilot will automatically provide you with suggestions based on the context
• Press the Tab key to select the suggestion, or press Enter to accept it
  2. Chat about specific lines of code
• We can input any questions to GitHub Copilot Chat by click chat icon

4.3The problem encountered and its solution:

- The problem:
A locally installed GitHub Copilot is only available in your local instance of VS Code and will not be synchronised with the remote machine.
- The solution:
You also need to install GitHub Copilot on the remote machine.