Introduction
React is a popular JavaScript library for building user interfaces. Setting up React in Visual Studio Code (VS Code) allows developers to create powerful web applications efficiently. In this guide, we’ll walk through the steps to set up React in VS Code.

Prerequisites
Before you begin, ensure you have the following:
- Node.js installed on your machine (includes npm).
- Visual Studio Code installed on your machine.
Steps to Set Up React in VS Code
1. Install Node.js
Download and install Node.js from the official Node.js website. This will also install npm (Node Package Manager), which you will use to install React.
2. Create a New React Application
Open your command line or terminal and run the following command to create a new React application using Create React App:
npx create-react-app my-app
Replace `my-app` with your desired project name. This command sets up a new React project with all necessary configurations.
3. Open the Project in VS Code
Navigate to your project directory:
cd my-app
Then, open the project in Visual Studio Code:
code .
4. Start the Development Server
In the terminal, start the development server by running:
npm start
This command starts the development server, and your React application will automatically open in your default web browser at http://localhost:3000.
5. Explore the Project Structure
Take a moment to explore the project structure. Key directories and files include:
src/
: Contains the source code for your React application.public/
: Contains the static files likeindex.html
.package.json
: Manages project dependencies and scripts.
6. Create a Sample Component
In the src/
directory, create a new file named Hello.js
and add the following code:
import React from 'react';
const Hello = () => {
return Hello, React!
;
};
export default Hello;
Now, import and use this component in src/App.js
:
import Hello from './Hello';
Then, add <Hello />
in the return
statement of the App
component.
Conclusion
Setting up React in Visual Studio Code allows for a powerful development experience. With the development server running, you can make changes and see them reflected in real-time. Start building your React applications today!