---
title: Activate ServiceNow Extensions for VS Code
description: Activate the ServiceNow Extensions for VS Code to be able to edit applications within your ServiceNow instance.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/application-development/activate-servicenow-ext.html
release: australia
topic_type: task
last_updated: "2026-03-12"
reading_time_minutes: 1
breadcrumb: [ServiceNow Extensions for Visual Studio Code, Building pro-code applications, Developing your application, Building applications]
---

# Activate ServiceNow Extensions for VS Code

Activate the ServiceNow Extensions for VS Code to be able to edit applications within your ServiceNow instance.

## Before you begin

Install ServiceNow Extensions for VS Code to activate the extension and begin editing your applications in VS code.

Role required: none.

## About this task

Activating the extension is the first step you must perform after installation of the extension to access its functionalities.

## Procedure

1.  Navigate to **All** > **View** > **Command Palette** to open the command palette.

    You can also use a keyboard shortcut, Control+Shift+P on Windows or Command+Shift+P on MacOS, to open the command palette.

2.  Choose **Now: Activate Now Extension** from the list.

    \[Omitted image "vscode-activateservicenow.png"\] Alt text: Activate Now extension in command palette

    The **Setup Workspace** link appears at the bottom of the VS Code IDE. After the extension is activated, [Set up your workspace](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/setup-workspace.md) in VS Code to begin editing ServiceNow applications.


**Parent Topic:**[ServiceNow Extensions for Visual Studio Code](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/application-development/vs-code.md)