Vscode Solidity is a free, open source extension for Visual Studio Code that adds Solidity language support to the editor. It is aimed at developers who write smart contracts for Ethereum and ERC-20 tokens and want to do that work in a familiar editor on Windows. The source code is public on GitHub, so you can review the project before installing it.
The latest version listed in our catalog is 0.0.187, and the last code update is dated May 28, 2026, which points to active maintenance. The project documentation mentions Windows, but platform support is worth confirming on your own machine before you rely on it. The rest of this page covers what the extension does, how to install it, and how it compares with other tools for Ethereum development.
What Is Vscode Solidity?
Vscode Solidity is an extension for Visual Studio Code, the widely used free code editor, that adds support for Solidity. Solidity is the programming language used to write smart contracts, which are small programs that run on blockchains such as Ethereum. Without dedicated tooling, a Solidity file looks like plain text, and the editor cannot help much beyond basic editing.
By bringing the language into the editor, the extension turns VS Code into a workspace for drafting contracts. You get a project-oriented environment, handling for Solidity sources, and access to a compiler workflow without leaving the editor. The extension is written in JavaScript and TypeScript, the same languages used to build many VS Code extensions, so it follows the editor's standard extension model.
Who Is Vscode Solidity For?
The extension is aimed at developers who write smart contracts and already work in Visual Studio Code. It suits a student learning Solidity on a Windows laptop, a web developer adding an Ethereum component to an existing application, or a small team that wants a shared editor setup for contract code.
A common scenario is reviewing a teammate's ERC-20 token contract. Opening the repository in VS Code with the extension active lets you move between files, read Solidity code with proper language support, and make careful edits before testing elsewhere.
It is less suited to people who want a full graphical environment with built-in deployment panels, or who work mainly on chains outside Ethereum. For those readers, a standalone IDE or a different framework may fit better. Think of the extension as a focused tool that makes one editor more capable for Solidity, rather than a complete development platform.
How the Compiler Fits Into Solidity Development
A Solidity compiler translates contract source code into bytecode that a blockchain virtual machine can execute. It also produces information, such as the contract interface, that applications use when they call a deployed contract. Different compiler versions can behave differently, so choosing the right version for a project matters.
The remote download option retrieves compiler builds from the solc-bin repository. That lets you select a compiler without manually hunting for files, and it keeps the choice of build in one place. Before compiling, check that the version matches what your contract was written for and what your deployment tooling expects.
Keep a note of the compiler version in your project so teammates use the same build. A short line in a README file is enough, and it prevents confusing differences between machines when a contract is compiled and reviewed.
Key features
Solidity language support in VS Code
Remote compiler download
Quick contract definition generation
Focus on Ethereum and ERC-20
Supported coins
The documentation names Ethereum (ETH) and ERC-20 tokens as the networks and token standard this extension is built around. It is a code editor extension, so it works with contract source files rather than with coins themselves.
How to install Vscode Solidity on Windows
- 1
Download Visual Studio Code
Download the editor only from the official website, then run the installer and follow the prompts for a standard Windows installation. Verify the file's SHA-256 checksum when one is published, and keep the installer from untrusted mirrors out of your workflow.
- 2
Open the Extensions view
Launch VS Code and open the Extensions view from the sidebar, or press Ctrl+Shift+X. This is where you search for and manage all editor extensions.
- 3
Install the Solidity extension
Search for vscode-solidity or Solidity and choose the extension with the matching name. Before you click Install, confirm that it links to the project's GitHub repository at github.com/juanfranblanco/vscode-solidity.
-
Set the compiler option
When you need a compiler, select the remote download option so the extension fetches it from the solc-bin repository. Restart VS Code if the extension asks you to finish setup.
How to use Vscode Solidity
Once the extension is installed, the workflow revolves around a project folder and a few right-click actions. The steps below cover a typical first session.
- Open a folder that will hold your contracts in VS Code.
- Right-click the project, select the language you need, and generate a contract definition as a starting point.
- Edit the generated Solidity file and write the contract logic you need.
- Select the remote compiler option when you need a compiler build, so the extension downloads it from the solc-bin repository.
- Compile the contract and review any messages in the editor before moving to testing or deployment with other tools.
Keep each project in its own folder so compiler choices and generated files stay separate from one another.
Pros & cons
- Adds Solidity support directly inside Visual Studio Code
- Free and open source, with the source code public on GitHub
- Remote compiler download from solc-bin avoids manual compiler setup
- Right-click contract generation gives a quick starting point
- Windows support is mentioned in the documentation but should be confirmed before you rely on it
- Focus on Ethereum and ERC-20 means other networks fall outside its stated scope
- Remote compiler download needs an internet connection
- Works only as an extension, so Visual Studio Code must be installed first
Is Vscode Solidity safe?
Get the extension only from official sources: the project's GitHub repository at github.com/juanfranblanco/vscode-solidity and the official Visual Studio Code extension listings. Download only from the official website for the editor itself, and verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature whenever one is published. Extensions run inside your editor and can read the code you open, so review the repository and its recent activity before installing. The latest version in our catalog is 0.0.187, but check the latest version on the official website before updating. Never paste seed phrases or private keys into project files, comments, or any third-party website.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/juanfranblanco/vscode-solidity. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
- Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
- Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
Alternatives
EthereumStudio is a standalone desktop IDE, so it runs as its own program rather than inside Visual Studio Code. Vscode Solidity is the better fit if you already live in VS Code and want Solidity support without changing editors. Foundry takes a different approach, offering command-line tools such as forge, cast and anvil for building, testing and interacting with contracts. The Solidity compiler entry in our catalog covers the compiler itself, which this extension can download for you. Anchor is built for Solana programs, so it serves a different blockchain altogether.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- 0.0.187
- Last update
- 28 May 2026
- Windows support
- Unverified (Windows mentioned in docs)
- Source code
- github.com/juanfranblanco/vscode-solidity
Frequently asked questions
Yes, the extension is free and open source. Its source code is available on GitHub, so you can read how it works before installing. Because it runs inside Visual Studio Code, you also need the editor installed on your Windows computer.
The project documentation mentions Windows, so Windows is the platform you should target. Because your own setup may differ, check the GitHub repository for the latest details and test the extension with a small sample contract before using it for real work.
It is safe to use when you download it from the official GitHub repository or the official Visual Studio Code extension listings. Verify the checksum or signature when one is published, and keep seed phrases and private keys out of your project files.
The documentation highlights Ethereum (ETH) and ERC-20 tokens. The extension helps you write and organize contract code for those networks and token standards, but it does not run a blockchain node or hold any coins for you.
Install Visual Studio Code from the official website, open the Extensions view, and search for Solidity. Choose the extension that links to the project's GitHub repository and click Install, then restart the editor if prompted.
EthereumStudio is a standalone desktop IDE, while Foundry provides command-line tools for building and testing contracts. Choose an editor extension if you prefer working in VS Code, or a full toolkit if you want a complete command-line workflow.
Verdict
Vscode Solidity suits developers who already work in Visual Studio Code and write Ethereum or ERC-20 smart contracts. It is free, open source, and recently updated, with the last code update dated May 28, 2026. Before committing to it on Windows, confirm platform support on the GitHub repository, and consider a standalone IDE or Foundry if you need more than editor support.