How to Install VS Code on BlackArch Linux

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is one of the most popular and lightweight code editors used by developers across the world. Known for its speed, extensive plugin ecosystem, and customizability, VS Code has become a go-to choice for coding. If you are running BlackArch Linux and want to install this powerful editor, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll guide you step by step on how to install VS Code on BlackArch Linux.

What is BlackArch Linux?

Before we get into the installation process, let’s take a moment to understand what BlackArch Linux is. BlackArch is a penetration testing distribution based on Arch Linux. It’s a highly customizable and minimalistic Linux distro tailored to cybersecurity professionals and ethical hackers, offering a wide array of penetration testing tools. Being Arch-based, it provides users with more control over their system, but it also requires a more hands-on approach compared to other Linux distributions.

Prerequisites for Installing VS Code on BlackArch Linux

Before you begin, make sure your system meets the following requirements:

1. BlackArch Linux Installed: If you haven’t already set up BlackArch Linux, you can refer to the official BlackArch installation guide.
2. Root/Administrator Access: You’ll need root privileges to install software and make system changes.
3. Internet Connection: Ensure that your system is connected to the internet to download the required files.

Methods for Installing VS Code on BlackArch Linux

There are several methods to install VS Code on BlackArch Linux. In this guide, we’ll cover the most common ways: installing via the official Microsoft repository, using the Arch User Repository (AUR), and building from source.

Step 1: Download the VS Code Tar Package

1. Open your Browser.
2. Visit the official VS Code download page.
3. Scroll down to the section for Linux and select the .tar.gz package. This is a universal package that works across various Linux distributions, including BlackArch.

Step 2: Extract the Tar Package

Once the file is downloaded, you’ll need to extract it.

1. In your terminal, navigate to the directory where the code-stable-x64-1747260498.tar.gz file is located. If it’s in your Downloads folder, you can use the following command:

tar -xvzf code-stable-x64-1747260498.tar.gz

Step 3: Move the VS Code Folder to a System Directory

You may want to move the extracted files to a system-wide location, such as /opt/ or /usr/local/. This will allow you to run VS Code from anywhere.

mv VSCode-linux-x64 /opt/

Step 4: Create a Symlink for Easy Access

To run VS Code easily from the terminal, you’ll need to create a symbolic link (symlink) to the /usr/local/bin directory.

1. Create the symlink using the following command:

ln -s /opt/VSCode-linux-x64/code /usr/local/bin/code

Step 5: Launch VS Code

Now that you’ve installed VS Code, you can launch it either from the terminal or by creating a desktop shortcut.

1. To launch it from the terminal, just type ( not root user):

code

2. To launch it from the terminal, just type ( root user):

code --no-sandbox

Step 6: Update VS Code

To keep VS Code up to date, you’ll need to manually download the latest tarball package whenever there’s a new release. you can use the built-in update feature from within VS Code itself by going to Help > Check for Updates.

Video Installation Guide

Conclusion

That’s it! You’ve successfully installed Visual Studio Code on BlackArch Linux using the tar package method. This approach gives you more control over your installation, and it ensures that you always have access to the latest stable version of this powerful code editor. Now, you’re ready to start coding in a clean, customizable environment!

For more information on extensions and customization, be sure to check out the official VS Code documentation.

If you found this guide helpful, don’t forget to share it with fellow BlackArch users! Happy coding!