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How Do I Use FiraCode in Vscode?

Use FiraCode in VsCode

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Introduction

Visual Studio Code (VSCode) is a popular and versatile code editor used by developers worldwide. One of the reasons for its widespread adoption is its support for various extensions and customization options. how to use FiraCode in VsCode?

One such customization that many developers appreciate is the ability to use custom fonts, such as FiraCode, to enhance the coding experience. FiraCode is a monospaced font with programming ligatures, making code more readable and aesthetically pleasing. 

In this article, we’ll explore how to use FiraCode in VsCode

how to use FiraCode in VsCode

Step 1: Install FiraCode Font

Before integrating FiraCode into VSCode, you need to have the font installed on your system. You can download FiraCode from its official GitHub repository (https://github.com/tonsky/FiraCode) or use package managers like Homebrew or Chocolatey for installation.

Manual Installation

  1. Visit the FiraCode GitHub releases page: FiraCode Releases
  2. Download the latest release zip file.
  3. Extract the zip file and locate the TTF or OTF font files.
  4. Install the font by double-clicking on each file and selecting “Install.”
  5. Using Package Managers

Homebrew (for macOS and Linux):

  • bash
  • brew tap homebrew/cask-fonts
  • brew install –cask font-fira-code

Chocolatey (for Windows):

  • powershell
  • choco install firacode

Step 2: Configure Visual Studio Code

Once FiraCode is installed on your system, you can configure Visual Studio Code to use this font.

  • Open VSCode and go to the settings by pressing Ctrl +, or navigating to File -> Preferences -> Settings.
  • In the Settings tab, click on the “Open Settings (JSON)” icon in the top-right corner. This opens the settings.json file.

Add the following JSON configuration to set FiraCode as the default font:

  • json
  • “Editor. Font Family”: “Fira Code”,
  • “Editor. fontLigatures”: true,

The first line specifies the font family, and the second line enables ligatures, which is a key feature of FiraCode.

Save the settings.json file and close it.

Step 3: Restart Visual Studio Code

To apply the changes, restart Visual Studio Code. Once the editor is reopened, you should see FiraCode as the default font with ligatures enabled.

Customization:

You can further customize FiraCode ligatures in spacemacs by modifying the settings in settings. json. For example:

  • json
  • “Editor. fontLigatures”: “‘ff’, ‘fi’, ‘fl’, ‘ffi’, ‘ffl'”,

This customizes ligatures to include specific combinations.

Font Size:

Adjust the font size in VSCode by modifying the “editor. font Size” setting in settings. json.

  • json
  • “Editor. font Size”: 14,

Experiment with different sizes until you find the one that suits your preferences.

Using FiraCode in Visual Studio Code enhances the coding experience, making your code more readable and visually appealing. Experiment with different ligature combinations and font sizes to find the setup that works best for you. 

Step 4: Configure FiraCode in settings. json

In the settings.json file, you need to specify the FiraCode font in the “editor. font Family” setting. Add the following line to include FiraCode in the font family:

  • json
  • “Editor. font Family”: “Fira Code, Menlo, Monaco, ‘Courier New’, monospace”,

Make sure that “Fira Code” is listed first, followed by other fallback fonts. This ensures that if FiraCode is not available, VSCode will use the next font in the list.

Step 5: Enable Ligatures (Optional)

FiraCode is known for its ligatures, which are special characters that combine multiple symbols to improve code readability. To enable ligatures in Visual Studio Code, add the following line to your settings.json file:

  • json
  • “editor.fontLigatures”: true,

Save the settings.json file after making these changes.

Step 6: Verify and Enjoy

Close and reopen Visual Studio Code to apply the changes. Once the editor restarts, you should see FiraCode in action.

To verify that FiraCode is active, open a code file and observe the improved ligatures and overall appearance. The ligatures enhance the visual representation of certain character combinations, making your code more readable and aesthetically pleasing.

Congratulations! You have successfully configured FiraCode in Visual Studio Code, enhancing your coding experience with a stylish and functional font. Feel free to explore other settings in Visual Studio Code to further customize your development environment.

Happy coding!

Conclusion: Use FiraCode in Vscode

Customizing your development environment, including the choice of font, can significantly impact your coding experience. FiraCode, with its unique ligatures, is a popular choice among developers. 

By following these simple steps, you can easily integrate FiraCode into Visual Studio Code, creating a more visually pleasing and enjoyable coding environment.

FAQS (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q#1: How do I install FiraCode in Visual Studio Code?

To install FiraCode in Visual Studio Code, follow these steps: 

  • Open Visual Studio Code.
  • Go to the Extensions view by clicking on the Extensions icon in the Activity Bar on the side of the window.
  • Search for “FiraCode” in the Extensions view search box.
  • Install the “FiraCode” extension by Nikita Prokopov.
  • Once installed, restart Visual Studio Code, and FiraCode should be applied to your code editor.

Q#2: How can I enable ligatures for FiraCode in Visual Studio Code?

To enable ligatures for FiraCode in Visual Studio Code:

  • Open your settings by pressing Ctrl +, or Cmd +, on macOS.
  • Click on the “Open Settings (JSON)” icon in the top-right corner.
  • Add the following line to your settings.json file: “Editor. fontLigatures”: true.
  • Save the file, and ligatures should now be enabled for FiraCode in Visual Studio Code.

Q#3: Can I customize the FiraCode ligatures in Visual Studio Code?

Yes, you can customize FiraCode ligatures in Visual Studio Code. To do this:

  • Open your settings by pressing Ctrl +, or Cmd +, on macOS.
  • Click on the “Open Settings (JSON)” icon in the top-right corner.
  • Add an “editor. fontLigatures”: “custom” line to your settings.json file.
  • Under the “editor. tokenColorCustomizations” section, add the ligature customization using the “textMateRules” array.

Q#4: How do I change the font size of FiraCode in Visual Studio Code?

To change the font size of FiraCode in Visual Studio Code:

  • Open your settings by pressing Ctrl +, or Cmd +, on macOS.
  • Locate the “Editor: Font Size” setting.
  • Adjust the value to your desired font size. You can use an integer for pixel size or a string like “14px” or “1.2em”.
  • Save the settings, and the font size for FiraCode in Visual Studio Code will be updated.

Q#5: Is FiraCode compatible with other themes in Visual Studio Code?

Yes, FiraCode is compatible with most themes in Visual Studio Code. Since it primarily affects the font style, you can use it with your favorite theme without any issues. However, some themes might have specific ligature designs, so it’s recommended to test and adjust the settings accordingly for the best visual experience.

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