# How to open VS Code from the command line

> Learn how to open VS Code from the terminal with the code command, by installing the shell command from the Command Palette so you can run code foldername.

Author: [Flavio Copes](https://flaviocopes.com/about/) | Published: 2020-03-02 | Topics: [Tools](https://flaviocopes.com/tags/tools/) | Canonical: https://flaviocopes.com/vscode-command-line/

I am writing this blog post because I am setting up a new Mac and I run into the little things that I take for granted but they are not available by default when you first install [VS Code](https://flaviocopes.com/vscode) (my favorite editor!).

I am so used to typing `code foldername` in the [terminal](https://flaviocopes.com/macos-terminal-setup/) to open a folder  in VS Code. Or `code filename` to open a file.

Today I did this, automatically, but the command was not found!

I had to go into VS Code, press cmd-option-P (or from the menu, `View -> Command Palette` and I searched "command" and there it was:

`Shell Command: Install 'code' command in PATH`

I pressed enter, and the command was now available in the terminal.

Happy coding!