# Install Flutter using VS Code
> Learn how to use VS Code to quickly install and set up the Flutter SDK.
Learn how to install and set up Flutter in a Code OSS-based editor.
This includes (but is not limited to),
[VS Code][], [Antigravity][], [Cursor][], and [Windsurf][].
[VS Code]: https://code.visualstudio.com
[Antigravity]: https://antigravity.google/
[Cursor]: https://cursor.com/
[Windsurf]: https://windsurf.com/
:::tip
If you've never set up or developed an app with Flutter before,
follow [Set up and test drive Flutter][] instead.
:::
[Set up and test drive Flutter]: /install/quick
## Choose your development platform {: #dev-platform}
The instructions on this page are configured to cover
installing Flutter on a **Windows**{:.selected-os-text} device.
If you'd like to follow the instructions for a different OS,
please select one of the following.
## Download prerequisite software {: #download-prerequisites}
For the smoothest Flutter setup,
first install the following tools.
1. Set up Linux support
If you haven't set up Linux support on your Chromebook before,
[Turn on Linux support][chromeos-linux].
If you've already turned on Linux support,
ensure it's up to date following the
[Fix problems with Linux][chromeos-linux-update] instructions.
1. Download and install prerequisite packages
Using `apt-get` or your preferred installation mechanism,
install the latest versions of the following packages:
- `curl`
- `git`
- `unzip`
- `xz-utils`
- `zip`
- `libglu1-mesa`
If you want to use `apt-get`,
install these packages using the following commands:
```console
$ sudo apt-get update -y && sudo apt-get upgrade -y
$ sudo apt-get install -y curl git unzip xz-utils zip libglu1-mesa
```
1. Download and install Visual Studio Code
To quickly install Flutter, then edit and debug your apps,
[install and set up Visual Studio Code][vscode-install].
{: .steps .chromeos-only}
:::warning
**Note for Intel Macs:**
Flutter is deprecating support for Intel-based Macs (x64).
Future Flutter releases will require Apple Silicon.
For details, check out the
[macOS Intel deprecation strategy](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ty3js_Eg2sNIbDuyYS_aV7h4jYdx1hEpX_mV135gO4s/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.cx7d8y57ce6p).
:::
1. Install the Xcode command-line tools
Download the Xcode command-line tools to get access to
the command-line tools that Flutter relies on, including Git.
To download the tools, run the following command in your preferred terminal:
```console
$ xcode-select --install
```
If you haven't installed the tools already,
a dialog should open that confirms you'd like to install them.
Click **Install**, then once the installation is complete, click **Done**.
1. Download and install Visual Studio Code
To quickly install Flutter, then edit and debug your apps,
[install and set up Visual Studio Code][vscode-install].
{: .steps .macos-only}
1. Install Git for Windows
Download and install the latest version of [Git for Windows][].
For help installing or troubleshooting Git,
reference the [Git documentation][git-install].
1. Download and install Visual Studio Code
To quickly install Flutter, then edit and debug your apps,
[install and set up Visual Studio Code][vscode-install].
{: .steps .windows-only}
1. Download and install prerequisite packages
Using your preferred package manager or mechanism,
install the latest versions of the following packages:
- `curl`
- `git`
- `unzip`
- `xz-utils`
- `zip`
- `libglu1-mesa`
On Debian-based distros with `apt-get`, such as Ubuntu,
install these packages using the following commands:
```console
$ sudo apt-get update -y && sudo apt-get upgrade -y
$ sudo apt-get install -y curl git unzip xz-utils zip libglu1-mesa
```
1. Download and install Visual Studio Code
To quickly install Flutter, then edit and debug your apps,
[install and set up Visual Studio Code][vscode-install].
{: .steps .linux-only}
[chromeos-linux]: https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/9145439
[chromeos-linux-update]: https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/9145439?hl=en#:~:text=Fix%20problems%20with%20Linux
[Git for Windows]: https://git-scm.com/downloads/win
[git-install]: https://git-scm.com/book/en/v2/Getting-Started-Installing-Git
[vscode-install]: https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/setup/setup-overview
## Install and set up Flutter {: #install-flutter}
Now that you've installed Git and VS Code,
follow these steps to use VS Code to install and set up Flutter.
1. Launch VS Code
If not already open, open VS Code by searching for it with Spotlight
or opening it manually from the directory where it's installed.
1. Add the Flutter extension to VS Code
To add the Dart and Flutter extensions to VS Code,
visit the [Flutter extension's marketplace page][flutter-vscode],
and click **Install**.
If prompted by your browser, allow it to open VS Code.
1. Install Flutter with VS Code
1. Open the command palette in VS Code.
Go to **View** > **Command Palette**
or press Cmd/Ctrl +
Shift + P.
1. In the command palette, type `flutter`.
1. Select **Flutter: New Project**.
1. VS Code prompts you to locate the Flutter SDK on your computer.
Select **Download SDK**.
1. When the **Select Folder for Flutter SDK** dialog displays,
choose where you want to install Flutter.
1. Click **Clone Flutter**.
While downloading Flutter, VS Code displays this pop-up notification:
```console
Downloading the Flutter SDK. This may take a few minutes.
```
This download takes a few minutes.
If you suspect that the download has hung, click **Cancel** then
start the installation again.
1. Click **Add SDK to PATH**.
When successful, a notification displays:
```console
The Flutter SDK was added to your PATH
```
1. VS Code might display a Google Analytics notice.
If you agree, click **OK**.
1. To ensure that Flutter is available in all terminals:
1. Close, then reopen all terminal windows.
1. Restart VS Code.
{:type="a"}
1. Validate your setup
To ensure you installed Flutter correctly,
run `flutter doctor -v` in your preferred terminal.
If the command isn't found or there's an error,
check out [Flutter installation troubleshooting][troubleshoot].
{:.steps}
[Install Flutter manually]: /install/manual
[flutter-vscode]: https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=Dart-Code.flutter
[troubleshoot]: /install/troubleshoot
## Continue your Flutter journey {: #next-steps}
Now that you've successfully installed Flutter,
set up development for at least one target platform
to continue your journey with Flutter.
:::recommend
If you don't yet have a preferred platform
to target during development,
the Flutter team recommends you first try out
[developing for the web][web-setup]!
:::
[web-setup]: /platform-integration/web/setup
