Supercharged Productivity with AI and Collaboration
VS Code's April 2025 update brings a suite of transformative features aimed at making developers more productive, secure, and collaborative. This release leverages AI to automate repetitive tasks, simplifies multi-device workflows, and tightens security across your coding environment.
Smarter Chat: Custom Instructions and High-Speed Responses
The AI chat experience has been upgraded with Markdown-based instructions and prompt files. Instructions let you set reusable coding guidelines, such as preferred frameworks, ensuring consistency across projects. Prompt files package entire AI chat requests—like code reviews or automation—for rapid reuse. Both types are easy to manage, sync across devices, and include metadata for streamlined workflows.
- Run prompts via slash commands, play buttons, or the command palette.
- Instructions and prompt files are synced via Settings Sync for seamless transitions between devices.
- Prompt files support metadata like descriptions and tools for deeper automation.
Performance enhancements include faster agent mode edits using new patch formats from OpenAI and Anthropic, and GPT-4.1 is now the default chat model. Prompt caching and conversation summarization keep long sessions responsive and efficient.
AI Tools: Search, Marketplace, and Smart Fetching
- #githubRepo: Instantly search code in any GitHub repository without cloning.
- #extensions: Browse and install Marketplace extensions directly from chat.
- #fetch: Retrieve full web pages as Markdown for more accurate AI context and summaries, with better relevance filtering.
The chat interface is more intuitive, displaying current attachments and streamlining context selection. The "Done" button is gone for smoother workflows, and keyboard shortcuts make switching chat modes effortless.
Agent Mode: Autofix and Task Automation
- Autofix diagnostics automatically suggest solutions if new errors are introduced during code edits.
- Manual changes during agent sessions are detected, ensuring AI suggestions remain accurate.
- Experimental task creation helps automate project launch tasks when starting new workspaces.
Enhanced Editor and Accessibility
- Floating windows now support compact and always-on-top modes for flexible multitasking.
- Merge editor and code suggestions have better screen reader compatibility, with distinctive sound cues for key actions.
- Quick diff decorations visualize staged changes directly in the editor.
- Semantic search brings AI-powered keyword suggestions for faster code discovery.
Code Editing, Notebooks, and Language Features
- Next Edit Suggestions (NES) offers faster, context-aware code completions, including automated imports for JavaScript and TypeScript.
- Generate image alt text in HTML/Markdown with a quick fix.
- Variable line heights enhance code readability.
- Notebook improvements include persistent find/replace history, cell output drag-and-drop into chat, and integration of LLM tools for running and managing code cells.
- Hovering over CSS/HTML displays browser support details; expandable hovers for JS/TS provide additional type information.
Security, Extensions, and Remote Development
- Extension signature verification is now mandatory across all platforms (except Linux ARM32), increasing protection against malicious code.
- Malicious extensions now display "Learn More" links for full transparency.
- Copilot Chat pre-releases are limited to Insiders builds to guard wider audiences from experimental bugs.
A Leap Forward in Intelligence and Security
VS Code 1.100 redefines developer productivity by blending advanced AI, customizable workflows, and robust security features. These updates empower teams to automate more, code smarter, and stay safe in an ever-evolving tech landscape.
VS Code 1.100: AI Tools, Smarter Chat, and Security Boosts Elevate Developer Experience