How do I set up VS Code for Java development?
Jun 29, 2025 am 12:23 AMTo use VS Code for Java development, you need to install the necessary extensions, configure the JDK, and set up the workspace. 1. Install the Java Extension Pack, which includes language support, debug integration, build tools and code completion functions; optionally install the Java Test Runner or Spring Boot extension package. 2. Install at least JDK 17 and verify through java -version and javac -version; set the JAVA_HOME environment variable, or switch multiple JDKs in the status bar at the bottom of VS Code. 3. After opening the project folder, make sure the project structure is correct and enable automatic save, adjust the formatting rules, enable code checking, and configure compilation tasks to optimize the development process. After completing these steps, VS Code can become a lightweight and powerful Java development tool.
Setting up VS Code for Java development is a straightforward process once you know the key components needed. The main things to get right are installing the correct extensions, setting up your JDK, and ensuring your workspace is configured properly.
Install Required Extensions
VS Code isn't built specifically for Java, so you'll need to install a few extensions to make it work smoothly.
The most important one is the Java Extension Pack , which bundles all essential tools:
- Language support via the Eclipse JDT
- Debugger integration
- Maven and Gradle build tool support
- IntelliSense-style code completion
To install it, open VS Code, go to the Extensions tab (or press Ctrl Shift X
), search for "Java Extension Pack," and click Install. You may also want to add Java Test Runner or Spring Boot Extension Pack if you're working on specific frameworks.
Set Up the JDK
You can't develop in Java without the JDK. Make sure you have at least JDK 17 installed, though some projects may still use JDK 8 or 11.
Here's how to check:
- Open a terminal or command prompt.
- Run
java -version
andjavac -version
.
If not installed, download a JDK from Adoptium (formerly AdoptOpenJDK) or Oracle. After installation, set the JAVA_HOME
environment variable to point to your JDK root folder. This helps VS Code detect it automatically.
Pro tip: If you're using multiple JDKs, you can switch between them directly in VS Code by clicking the Java version in the bottom-right corner of the status bar.
Configure Your Workspace
Once everything is installed, open your Java project folder in VS Code. It should recognize the structure and start indexing. If it doesn't, make sure your project has either a pom.xml
(for Maven), build.gradle
, or just a basic .java
file setup.
Some common configuration steps include:
- Adjusting settings like auto-save and formatting rules
- Enabling linting and error checking through the extension settings
- Setting up tasks for compiling or running custom scripts
Also, don't forget to enable autosave ( File > Auto Save
) so you don't lose changes when switching files.
That's basically all you need to get started with Java in VS Code. It might take a bit of setup time, but once configured, it's lightweight and powerful for most Java workflows.
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