Connecting VSC to Azure DevOps

A comprehensive guide to configuring Visual Studio Code with Azure DevOps seamlessly

scenic view of coding workspace with computer

Key Highlights

Essential Extensions: Installation and use of the Azure Repos extension.
Authentication Methods: Sign in using Azure AD credentials or Personal Access Tokens.
Repository Integration: Steps for cloning, setting up remotes, and managing source control.

Introduction

Visual Studio Code (VSC) paired with Azure DevOps provides a powerful combination for developers looking to manage source code, work items, and build pipelines in an integrated environment. By linking VSC with Azure DevOps, users can seamlessly interact with repositories, create and manage pull requests, and monitor build statuses directly within the editor. This guide details the configuration steps to establish a robust connection between VSC and Azure DevOps, ensuring a smooth development workflow.

Prerequisites

Required Software

Before initiating the configuration process, please ensure that you have the following installed and set up:

Visual Studio Code – Downloadable from the official VSC website.
Git – A version control system installed on your machine.
An active Azure DevOps account and access to an Azure DevOps organization.

Basic Knowledge

Familiarity with Git commands and the basics of repository management will be beneficial. It is also helpful to have some understanding of Azure DevOps concepts such as work items, pull requests, and build pipelines.

Step-by-Step Configuration

Step 1: Install Visual Studio Code

If you do not already have Visual Studio Code installed, visit the VSC download page and follow the installation instructions for your operating system.

Step 2: Install the Azure Repos Extension

The Azure Repos extension is crucial as it integrates Azure DevOps functionalities directly into VS Code.

Launch Visual Studio Code.
Open the Extensions view by clicking the square icon on the sidebar or using Ctrl+Shift+X (Cmd+Shift+X on macOS).
Search for "Azure Repos" or "Azure DevOps" and install the extension provided by Microsoft.
Restart Visual Studio Code after installation to ensure all functionalities are loaded properly.

Step 3: Authentication and Sign-In

You need to authenticate your Azure DevOps account to enable secure communication between Visual Studio Code and Azure DevOps.

Using Azure Active Directory Authentication

Open the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P or Cmd+Shift+P on macOS).
Type "Azure: Sign In" and select the appropriate command.
Follow the on-screen prompts to sign in with your Azure DevOps credentials. This process may open your default web browser for authentication.

Using a Personal Access Token (PAT)

Alternatively, you can authenticate using a Personal Access Token (PAT) if your setup requires more granular permissions or you prefer not to use AAD. Follow these steps:

Navigate to your Azure DevOps organization in a web browser.
Go to User Settings (represented by a gear icon) and select Personal Access Tokens.
Create a new token by specifying a name, choosing an appropriate expiration period, and selecting the required scopes (e.g., Code, Work, Build).
Copy your PAT securely; you will be prompted to paste this token into Visual Studio Code when required.
Back in Visual Studio Code, use the PAT to sign in if prompted by the extension.

Step 4: Clone or Create a Repository

Once authenticated, the next step is to either clone an existing Azure DevOps repository or create a new one. Both methods are straightforward:

Cloning an Existing Repository

In your Azure DevOps project, navigate to the "Repos" section.
Click the Clone button to copy the repository URL, which typically follows the format: https://dev.azure.com/yourOrganization/_git/yourProjectName.
Open Visual Studio Code and launch the Command Palette.
Type "Git: Clone" and select it.
Paste the repository URL and choose a local directory for the repository on your machine.
After cloning, Visual Studio Code will automatically open the repository folder.

Creating a New Repository

Start by creating an empty directory in Visual Studio Code for your new project.
Open the integrated terminal in VSC (using Ctrl+` or Cmd+`).
Initialize a new Git repository by executing git init.
In your Azure DevOps portal, create a new empty repository.
Add the newly created repository as a remote using the command:
git remote add origin https://dev.azure.com/yourOrganization/_git/yourProjectName

Step 5: Configure Git Settings

It is critical to ensure your local Git configuration is set correctly to track changes and attribute commits.

Open the Integrated Terminal in Visual Studio Code.
Set up your Git global configuration by specifying your name and email:
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "youremail@example.com"

Step 6: Push and Pull Code

With the repository cloned or created and linked with Azure DevOps, you can now push your code or pull changes from the remote repository.

After making code changes, stage your modifications using:
git add .
Commit your changes with a descriptive message:
git commit -m "Describe your changes here"
Push your changes to Azure DevOps:
git push origin master

Step 7: Utilize Azure DevOps Features within Visual Studio Code

The integration does not end with code pushing. With the Azure DevOps extension, a range of functionalities becomes available directly from within Visual Studio Code:

Work Items: Create, update, and manage work items associated with your project.
Pull Requests: Easily view, create, and manage pull requests.
Build Status: Monitor active build processes and review build history.
Azure CLI Tasks: For those managing infrastructure, the Azure CLI tasks provide integration to manage resources.

Configuration Summary Table

Step	Action	Details
1	Install Visual Studio Code	Download and install VSC from the official site.
2	Azure Repos Extension	Search for and install the Azure Repos (or Azure DevOps) extension from the Extensions view.
3	Sign In	Authenticate using Azure AD credentials or a Personal Access Token (PAT).
4	Clone/Create Repository	Use Git: Clone command or initialize a new Git repository and add the remote URL.
5	Configure Git	Set up your global Git username and email for commit attribution.
6	Push/Pull Changes	Use Git commands to stage, commit, and push code changes to Azure DevOps.
7	DevOps Features	Manage work items, pull requests, and build statuses directly in VSC.

Additional Tools and Extensions

Azure Terraform Extension

For users managing infrastructure as code, the Azure Terraform extension can be added. This extension offers functionalities including:

Terraform command support
Resource graph visualization
Integrated CloudShell for resource management

Install the extension from the Extensions view following a similar process as for the Azure Repos extension.

Azure CLI Integration

In addition to Git and repository management, integrating Azure CLI within Visual Studio Code provides a powerful toolset for handling broader Azure operations. This can include:

Managing Azure resources
Deploying applications
Running scripts in Azure CloudShell

These integrations reduce the need to constantly switch contexts between the terminal and the Azure portal, maintaining productivity within the editor.

Troubleshooting and Best Practices

Common Issues

When connecting Visual Studio Code to Azure DevOps, you might encounter some common issues. Here are troubleshooting tips for resolving them:

Authentication Failures: Confirm that your credentials or PAT have the correct permissions in Azure DevOps. Re-authenticate if necessary.
Cloning Errors: Ensure the repository URL is correct and that you have network connectivity. Verify that Git is installed and properly configured.
Extension Issues: Check that you are running the latest version of both Visual Studio Code and the Azure DevOps extension. Restart VSC after updates.

Best Practices

To maximize your productivity with Visual Studio Code and Azure DevOps, consider the following best practices:

Regularly update all your extensions and Visual Studio Code to the latest versions.
Maintain clean and descriptive commit messages, which streamline collaboration and change tracking.
Utilize branch-based workflows for managing feature development and bug fixes.
Periodically review and update your PAT permissions to align with your current project needs.