Note we show Mac screenshots. Windows is similar.
On Windows you might want to consider using Visual Studio 2022 and not Visual Studio Code. We think Visual Studio 2022 is the easier development environment.
Download and install the latest .NET SDK from Microsoft — we use version 8.0.
Download Visual Studio Code from Microsoft.
After you downloaded it, drag and drop the app to your Applications folder. Do not launch it from your Downloads folder directly.
Launch Visual Studio Code from the Applications folder
You can customize Visual Studio (we prefer bright looks!). When you are done, click on the extensions button on the left.
Type C# into the search field and install the C# Dev Kit. This will also install the C# base language support.
The download and installation will take a moment, depending on your internet speed.
After you are done with all this, it's a good idea to restart Visual Studio Code.
Restart Visual Studio Code. You should now see a screen like this:
Let's create a quick Hello World project to see everything works correctly.
Click on Create .NET Project
The first time you do this, Visual Studio Code will download some additional stuff, which can take a few seconds (and the only feedback is some console messages, that are easy to overlook).
Wait until the Select a template to create a new .NET project dropdown opens at the top of the Visual Studio Window.
Begin to type Console and then choose Console App.
Choose a folder.
Sometimes Visual Studio will (once again) download stuff in the background. Once it's done choose a name for your project.
A security warning pops up (whose purpose only Microsoft understands, since we are creating a new project...) Trust yourself!
Unfold the folders on the left side. This is where project is organized.
Click on Program.cs — this is the main source file for your app.
In the default app, it just writes "Hello World" to the console output. With Program.cs selected, press the Run and Debug icon in the left toolbar.
Click on the Run and Debug button.
The first time you do this, Visual Studio Code will ask you which debugger to use.
Choose C#, and you are finally done. The application will compile and start.
There will be a number of diagnostic messages displayed when the application runs, but in the midst of this, you will see Hello World as expected.
You have successfully installed Visual Studio Code with C# support.
(It seems to be harder than it needs to be, but hey, you're done now!)
Choose File->Open Folder
Browse to the PicoGK Example project folder and open it.
You will receive the warning again, whether you want to trust the authors of this folder, it's yes again.
With Program.cs selected, choose again Run and Debug.
If you receive any additional security warnings, check out this page on how to silence them.
You should now have the default PicoGK example open in your viewer.
Congratulations. You are up and running with Visual Studio Code and PicoGK.
Return to the Main PicoGK Documentation