Setting up Node.js in Visual Studio Code is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Install Node.js

1. Download Node.js from the official site: https://nodejs.org/
2. Install it by following the setup wizard.
3. Verify installation:
   • Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux).
   • Run:

     node -v
     

     npm -v
     

   • If both return version numbers, Node.js and npm (Node Package Manager) are installed.

Step 2: Install Visual Studio Code

1. Download and install VS Code from: https://code.visualstudio.com/
2. Open VS Code.

Step 3: Install the Node.js Extension

1. Open VS Code.
2. Go to Extensions (Ctrl + Shift + X).
3. Search for "Node.js Extension Pack".
4. Click Install.

Step 4: Setup a Node.js Project

1. Open a terminal in VS Code (Ctrl + `).
2. Create a new project folder:

   mkdir my-node-app
   cd my-node-app
   

3. Initialize a Node.js project:

   npm init -y
   

   This creates a package.json file.

Step 5: Create a Simple Node.js File

1. Inside VS Code, create a new file: index.js.
2. Add the following code:

   console.log("Hello, Node.js!");
   

3. Run the file using the terminal:

   node index.js
   

   You should see:

   Hello, Node.js!
   

Step 6: Debugging in VS Code (Optional)

1. Go to Run & Debug (Ctrl + Shift + D).
2. Click "Create a launch.json file".
3. Choose "Node.js".
4. Set breakpoints and debug your code.