> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.lenses.io/latest/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.lenses.io/latest/vs-code-extension/install.md).

# Install

<a href="https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=lensesio.lenses-vscode" class="button primary" data-icon="vscode">Marketplace</a><a href="https://github.com/lensesio/lenses-vscode" class="button secondary" data-icon="github">Found an issue?</a>

### Install from the VS Code Marketplace

1. Open VS Code
2. Go to Extensions (`Cmd+Shift+X` / `Ctrl+Shift+X`)
3. Search for "**Lenses.io**"
4. Click **Install**

### Install from a VSIX file

```bash
code --install-extension lenses-vscode-x.x.x.vsix
```

### Requirements

* **VS Code** version 1.96.0 or higher
* A running **Lenses.io** instance with API access enabled
* Network connectivity between your machine and the Lenses API

#### Recommended Extensions

* [YAML](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=redhat.vscode-yaml) — Enhanced YAML editing for environment configuration

***

### Version Compatibility

**Important:** The extension version must match your Lenses.io API version (minor version compatibility).

| Extension Version | Compatible API Version |
| ----------------- | ---------------------- |
| 6.2.x             | 6.2.y                  |

The extension will check version compatibility when connecting and display a warning if there's a mismatch. While you can continue with mismatched versions, some features may not work correctly.

**Example:**

* Extension 6.2.0 ✅ API 6.2.1 (compatible)
* Extension 6.2.0 ⚠️ API 6.1.5 (warning shown)
* Extension 6.2.0 ⚠️ API 6.3.0 (warning shown)


---

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