In this tutorial, we will explain how to create and connect to a Genesis Cloud instance using the Visual Studio Code Remote - SSH extension in 3 simple steps.


This will enable you to work on a remote machine with VS Code just like if your source code was local.

Going forward, we assume you have:

Step 1: Install Visual Studio code "Remote - SSH" extension


The extension is needed to connect to the host.  Search for "remote-ssh".


The Visual Studio Code Extensions tab

The Visual Studio Code Extensions tab



Then click "Install".


The Remote - SSH extension

The Remote - SSH extension



You will see a new Status bar item at the far left that indicates if you're running locally or remotely via SSH.


​The status bar item

The status bar item


Step 2: Tell Visual Studio Code about your SSH Key


In Visual Studio Code, press F1 to open the command palette and run "Remote-SSH: Open Configuration File...".


The VS Code command palette

The VS Code command palette



And select your SSH config file and add a host entry block for your Genesis Cloud instance.

Host arbitraty-nickname-of-host-here
    User your-user-name-on-host
    HostName public-IPv4-goes-here
    IdentityFile ~/.ssh/id_rsa


For Genesis Cloud Ubuntu-instances your default username is "ubuntu". A complete example could look like.


The config file allows to set your username

The config file allows to set your username



If you want, you can later add more hosts by simply repeating the Host block for a different remote server.

Step 3: Connect to your instance


Now you can simply connect to your instance via Visual Studio Code by pressing F1 and typing "Remote-SSH: Connect to Host...".


The VS Code command line now provides the option to connect to a host of your choice

The VS Code command line now provides the option to connect to a host of your choice



  • VS Code will open a new window. There you'll see a notification that the "VS Code Server" is initializing on the SSH Host. If it's the first time you connect you might also have to confirm the authenticity of the remote host.

  • You might be also additionally asked to choose the platform of the cloud server while connecting.


VS Code prompts you to select the host platform

VS Code prompts you to select the host platform



The indicator status bar will show that you are connected to the Genesis Cloud instance.


The indicator status bar

The indicator status bar


From here on, you can code on your Genesis Cloud instance with Visual Studio Code just like you would if your source code was local!