> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.banya.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Installation

> Install the CodePilot VSIX file through the VS Code Extensions panel.

CodePilot IDE runs as a VS Code extension. It is distributed as a **`.vsix` installation file** rather than through the Marketplace, and you install it directly from the VS Code Extensions panel.

## Requirements

| Item              | Requirement                                                                         |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| VS Code           | 1.85 or later                                                                       |
| Installation file | `codepilot-<version>.vsix` (provided by your contact or organization administrator) |
| Account           | A sign-in account or an organization API key                                        |

<Info>
  Windows, macOS, and Linux are all supported. The installation file is identical across all operating systems.
</Info>

***

## Installing

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Extensions panel">
    In the VS Code activity bar on the left, click the **Extensions** icon.

    Shortcut: `Ctrl+Shift+X` (macOS: `Cmd+Shift+X`)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Install from VSIX">
    Click the **`···` (More Actions)** button at the top right of the Extensions panel, then select **Install from VSIX...** from the menu.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/banyaai/eM-Nuqr2SnMxEdsc/images/en/IDE_INSTALL_EXT_PANEL.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=eM-Nuqr2SnMxEdsc&q=85&s=9308d5ca4717490cf58e309b6ffad6e1" alt="Selecting Install from VSIX in the Extensions panel" width="964" height="594" data-path="images/en/IDE_INSTALL_EXT_PANEL.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the file">
    When the file browser opens, select the `codepilot-<version>.vsix` file you received.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/banyaai/eM-Nuqr2SnMxEdsc/images/en/IDE_INSTALL.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=eM-Nuqr2SnMxEdsc&q=85&s=3bcdfbd26467ef40485a0f75076c7025" alt="Selecting the VSIX file" width="1416" height="362" data-path="images/en/IDE_INSTALL.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart VS Code">
    When installation finishes, a restart prompt appears in the bottom right. Click **Restart Extensions** or **Restart**.

    After restarting, the **CodePilot icon** is added to the activity bar.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Verifying the installation

Click the **CodePilot icon** in the activity bar to open the CodePilot panel.

If you haven't signed in yet, the **sign-in screen** appears instead of the chat. Seeing this screen means the installation finished successfully.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/banyaai/eM-Nuqr2SnMxEdsc/images/en/IDE_FIRST_RUN.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=eM-Nuqr2SnMxEdsc&q=85&s=f2dd6181be274711c8706eb3c9960529" alt="CodePilot panel before signing in" width="3024" height="1898" data-path="images/en/IDE_FIRST_RUN.png" />

Once you sign in, the chat panel becomes active. Continue to the next step.

***

## Updating

Get the new version's `.vsix` file and **install it again the same way** to overwrite the existing version. Your settings and conversation history are preserved.

<Warning>
  If the chat panel is empty after installation or the icon doesn't appear, quit VS Code completely and relaunch it.
</Warning>

***

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Sign in" icon="right-to-bracket" href="/en/getting-started/sign-in">
    Sign in with your account and activate the IDE
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connect an AI model" icon="key" href="/en/getting-started/ai-model">
    Choose an AI model or register an API key
  </Card>
</CardGroup>