Can I configure specific VSCode extensions to only be enabled based on the current language?

Question

I want to know if it is possible to create different instances of programming in VSCode?

( -- In case it wasn't clear -- )

Idea: I want to program in a certain language and I want my extensions active only for that language.

I read a little about VSCode Workspaces, but I didn't understand.

Answer 1

Yes, it is possible to organize your extensions in VSCode. VSCode gets a bit clunky after installation of many extensions (made even worse in a corporate laptop that has many security scanning tools enabled in the background).

I used to use workspaces to configure my extensions but I find it troublesome having to reinstall extensions for every new project.

Since 2023 July's release of VSCode, there is a new feature called VSCode Profiles.

In each "Profile", you can configure language/framework specific settings.

Profiles can be accessed from the "File" Menu.

For example, I have these profiles:

• Default - Intellicode, Material Icon Theme, GitLens, WSL (This profile acts as a "base" profile of what my other profiles should have).
• Solidity - Solidity extension on top of extensions in Default profile
• Python - Python, Pylance, Microsoft Black Formatter on top of extensions in Default profile

Profiles are specific to the opened VSCode instance. So it is possible to open 2 VSCode instances (Ctrl+shift+n) each with a specific profile. E.g. python backend in VSCode window 1, React frontend profile in VSCode window 2.

I first set up Default profile to contain the extensions I want for all my other profiles. When installing an extension you want to apply for all other profiles, ensure you select "Apply extension to all profiles" by right-clicking the extension.

Then, to create a language/framework-specific VSCode profile, I create it like this.

1. File > Preferences > Profiles > Create Profile...
2. Ensure "Extensions" is checked under the "Choose what to configure in your profile" (this will ensure any new extensions you install will only remain in this profile).