# VS Code Initial Setup (All Platforms)

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## Contents
- Overview
- Install VS Code
- Install GitHub Copilot
- Sign In and Verify
- Try Copilot Suggestions
- Next Steps

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## Overview

This guide covers the basic setup for Visual Studio Code and GitHub Copilot. It applies to all platforms (iOS, Android, cross-platform). Complete these steps before any platform-specific automation or MCP setup.

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## Install VS Code
1. Download Visual Studio Code from [code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/).
2. Open the installer and follow the prompts to install.
3. Launch VS Code.

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## Install GitHub Copilot
1. In VS Code, open the Extensions sidebar (⇧⌘X).
2. Search for "GitHub Copilot" and click Install.
3. (Optional) Search for and install "GitHub Copilot Chat" for chat-based workflows.

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## Sign In and Verify
1. After installing, you’ll be prompted to sign in with your GitHub account.
2. Complete the sign-in flow in your browser.
3. You must have Copilot access (Copilot Individual, Business, or Enterprise).
4. Open a code file (e.g., Swift, Kotlin, Java, JS) and type `//` or start a function to trigger a suggestion.
5. You should see Copilot suggestions inline.

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## Try Copilot Suggestions
- Open a file for your platform (Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android, etc.).
- Type a comment or function signature, e.g.:
  - `// Create a function to validate an email address.`
  - `fun main() {` (for Kotlin)
- Accept a suggestion with Tab or Enter.
- Open the Copilot Chat sidebar and try a prompt, e.g.:
  - "Write a function to reverse a string in Kotlin."

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## Next Steps
- For iOS automation, see [MCP for iOS in VS Code](ios/ios-mcp-vscode.md).
- For Android automation, see [Android Setup](android/android.md).