The Beta version of SL with the SLua-VS Code connection is out, so this morning I’m going to try to follow the instructions and load it on my Mac. I’ll echo the steps and comments below. Here goes.
- Note
- At the end of doing this, I notice that the preceding article here is about installing VS Code back in 2025. Who knew? Not me!
Install VS Code
Download takes ages, must be immense. Meanwhile the download page rails at me about AI Agents.
Drag to Applications folder. 1.52 GB, that seems like enough for most purposes.
Open it. I am surprised to see that it opens on a small repo that I made last year. Ah, it’s an old version. I had better delete that one. Try again. The new one also finds the repo, probably using whatever files the first one left around. I guess I don’t mind that. It’s installed. Quit it, back to the SL instructions. Ah, shouldn’t have quit, now I am supposed to add in some tools.
Open Extensions View
I see that the extensions we want are installed but need updating. OK update them. VS Code wants to restart extensions, OK that. Luau Language Extension is version 1.69.0.
Update the SL VSCode plugin. Restarting tells me to reload or restart something. I press the button. Not sure what it was but i think it was trying to update the other plugin. Also wants me to reload the workspace. As a VSCode newbie, I’m not sure how one does that.
Open Command Palette (under View), search for reload window, which seems to be the thing.
I decide to install the LSL language server per the instructions. Installs OK. I have no idea about all this, I’m just rote-following. So far so good.
The instructions would have me install the Linden Lab extensions now, but they are already installed.
Now the SL Part. Start SL.
Me menu / Preferences / Advanced / Script Development. I check the recommended things. My external script thing is still aimed at sublime. I clear that just in case. It was set to /usr/local/bin/subl, in case I need it back.
Went to a Lua sandbox. Checked that the server was running per the instructions. It wasn’t. Check the item, and it starts.
I find the explorer line to enable it over in VS Code. Use View to find Explorer, scroll down.
Create a cube, select content tab, and sure enough there is Explore in IDE. Click it.
The Explorer View shows my cube down at the bottom. I create a script in the cube and it shows up too. Clicking it in VS Code opens it. I’ll try editing it, change the default print or something. Works as one would expect.
It seems to be basically working as intended. Lots to learn about VS Code.
That’s all for now. I wish us all good luck.