docs/content/code-security/codeql-for-vs-code/getting-started-with-codeql-for-vs-code/about-codeql-for-vs-code.md

title, shortTitle, versions, topics, type, intro

title	shortTitle	versions	topics	type	intro
About CodeQL for VS Code	About the extension	fpt ghec ghes * * *	Advanced Security Code scanning CodeQL	reference	You can write, run, and test {% data variables.product.prodname_codeql %} queries inside {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} with the {% data variables.product.prodname_codeql %} extension.

About {% data variables.product.prodname_codeql %} for {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %}

You can run {% data variables.product.prodname_codeql %} queries on databases generated from source code, in order to find errors and security vulnerabilities in a codebase. For more information about {% data variables.product.prodname_codeql %} {% data variables.product.prodname_code_scanning %}, see "AUTOTITLE."

With the {% data variables.product.prodname_codeql %} for {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} extension, you can:

• Write custom {% data variables.product.prodname_codeql %} queries and supporting libraries.
• Directly view and use the {% data variables.product.prodname_codeql %} security queries from the large, open-source github/codeql repository.
• Run queries over one or more {% data variables.product.prodname_codeql %} databases.
• Track the flow of data through a program, highlighting areas that are potential security vulnerabilities.
• View, create, and edit all types of {% data variables.product.prodname_codeql %} packs of queries or libraries that you can use or publish to share with others.
• Run unit tests for {% data variables.product.prodname_codeql %} queries.
• Use a dedicated editor for viewing, creating, and editing {% data variables.product.prodname_codeql %} model packs, which are used to extend standard {% data variables.product.prodname_codeql %} analysis.

The {% data variables.product.prodname_codeql %} for {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} extension also adds a {% data variables.product.prodname_codeql %} sidebar view to {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode_shortname %}. This contains a list of local {% data variables.product.prodname_codeql %} databases, an overview of the queries that you have run in the current session, and a variant analysis view for large-scale analysis.

IntelliSense

The extension provides standard IntelliSense features for query files (extension .ql) and library files (extension .qll) that you open in the {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode_shortname %} editor. These include:

• Syntax highlighting
• Right-click options (such as Go To Definition)
• Autocomplete suggestions
• Hover information

For more information about Intellisense in {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode_shortname %}, see IntelliSense in the {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} documentation.

You can also use the {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode_shortname %} Format Document command to format your code according to the {% data variables.product.prodname_codeql %} style guide.

The {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode_command_palette_shortname %}

You can run commands for the {% data variables.product.prodname_codeql %} for {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} extension from the {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode_command_palette_shortname %}. For more information about the {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode_command_palette_shortname %}, see "User Interface" in the {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode_shortname %} documentation.

Data and telemetry

If you specifically opt in to permit {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %} to do so, {% data variables.product.prodname_dotcom %} will collect usage data and metrics for the purposes of helping the core developers to improve the {% data variables.product.prodname_codeql %} for {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} extension. For more information, see "AUTOTITLE."

{% data reusables.code-scanning.codeql-license %}

Next steps

To learn about how to install the {% data variables.product.prodname_codeql %} for {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode %} extension, see "AUTOTITLE."