VS Code Extension Installation

VS Code Extension installation provides HVE Core directly through the VS Code Marketplace. This is the simplest zero-configuration method that works across all environments.

When to Use This Method

✅ Use this when:

• You want the simplest possible setup
• You don't need to customize HVE Core components
• You work across different machines and environments
• You want automatic updates through VS Code
• You prefer marketplace-managed extensions
• You want a clean, zero-configuration setup

❌ Consider alternatives when:

• You need to customize custom agents, prompts, or instructions → Peer Clone or Git-Ignored
• Your team needs to version control HVE Core → Submodule
• You're contributing to HVE Core development → Peer Clone
• You need to test pre-release versions → Multi-Root Workspace

How It Works

The extension packages all HVE Core components (chat agents, prompts, instructions) as a standard VS Code extension. Once installed, all components are immediately available without any additional configuration.

VS Code Extension System
├── Extension installed via marketplace
│   ├── .github/agents/         # All chat agents
│   ├── .github/prompts/        # All prompt templates
│   ├── .github/instructions/   # All coding guidelines
│   └── .github/skills/         # All skill packages
└── Only optional workspace configuration needed!

Quick Start

Option 1: Install from Marketplace (Recommended)

1. Open VS Code
2. Go to Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X)
3. Search for "HVE Core"
4. Click Install

Or click here: Install HVE Core Extension

Option 2: Install from Command Line

code --install-extension ise-hve-essentials.hve-core

Option 3: Install Using VS Code Insiders

code-insiders --install-extension ise-hve-essentials.hve-core

Verification

After installation, verify everything works:

1. Open GitHub Copilot Chat (Ctrl+Alt+I)
2. Click the agent picker dropdown
3. Verify HVE Core agents appear:
   • task-planner
   • task-researcher
   • task-implementor
   • pr-review
   • adr-creation

Post-Installation (Optional)

These optional configurations enhance your HVE Core experience but are not required for basic functionality.

Update Your .gitignore

HVE Core agents create ephemeral workflow artifacts in a .copilot-tracking/ folder within your project. Add this line to your project's .gitignore:

.copilot-tracking/

This applies even when using the extension. The folder is created in your project directory when you use agents like task-researcher or pr-review. See the installation guide for details on what gets stored there.

What's Included

The extension provides all HVE Core components:

Component	Examples
Chat Agents	task-planner, pr-review, adr-creation
Prompts	git-commit, pull-request, ado-create-pr
Instructions	markdown, python-script, commit-message
Skills	pr-reference, video-to-gif

Updating

The extension updates automatically through VS Code's extension system:

• Extensions update automatically when new versions are released (default)
• Open Extensions view → find "HVE Core" → click Update for manual updates
• Right-click the extension → "Switch to Pre-Release Version" for pre-release access

Comparison with Other Methods

Pros ✅

Advantage	Detail
Zero configuration	No workspace settings or file cloning required
Works everywhere	Local, devcontainers, Codespaces, any environment
Automatic updates	VS Code manages updates automatically
No repository pollution	Nothing added to your project
Instant availability	Works immediately after installation
No manual setup	No scripts to run or paths to configure
Marketplace managed	Centralized distribution and versioning

Cons ❌

Limitation	Detail
No customization	Can't modify custom agents, prompts, or instructions
Extension updates only	Testing development versions requires extra setup
No version pinning	Uses latest version (or opt into pre-release)
No team control	Can't enforce specific versions across team
Limited flexibility	Can't combine with custom local modifications

Common Scenarios

Scenario 1: Quick Personal Use

Goal: Start using HVE Core immediately without setup

Solution: Install the extension from marketplace

Steps

1. Install extension from marketplace
2. Start using task-planner and other agents
3. That's it!

Scenario 2: Multi-Machine Developer

Goal: Use HVE Core consistently across laptop, desktop, and Codespaces

Solution: Install extension on all machines via Settings Sync

Steps

1. Enable Settings Sync in VS Code
2. Install extension on one machine
3. Extensions automatically sync to other devices

Scenario 3: Team Adoption

Goal: Get entire team using HVE Core quickly

Solution: Share extension link and install instructions

Steps

1. Share marketplace link with team
2. Team members install extension
3. Everyone has consistent experience immediately

Scenario 4: Want to Customize Later

Goal: Start with extension, add customization as needs grow

Solution: Layer in the installer skill for MCP, installation method guidance, and agent bundle selection; migrate to clone only for full artifact control

Steps

1. Start with the HVE Core extension for the flagship RPI workflow
2. When you need MCP configuration, a different installation method, or the complete artifact library, install the HVE Core Installer extension and ask any agent "help me customize hve-core installation"
3. When you need to modify prompts, instructions, or skills directly, uninstall extensions and follow a clone-based method

Troubleshooting

Extension Not Appearing

Check extension is installed

1. Open Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X)
2. Search "HVE Core"
3. Verify "Installed" badge appears

Reload VS Code

1. Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P)
2. "Developer: Reload Window"

Agents Not Showing in Copilot Chat

Verify GitHub Copilot is active

1. Check Copilot icon in status bar
2. Sign in if needed

Check extension status

1. Extensions view → "HVE Core"
2. Verify no errors shown
3. Click "Show Extension Output" if issues

Conflicting Installation Methods

If you have both extension and manual installation (like Peer Clone):

Problem: Duplicate agents appearing

Solution: Choose one method:

• Keep extension: Remove manual installation (delete cloned folder, remove workspace settings)
• Keep manual: Uninstall extension

Update Not Appearing

Force check for updates

1. Extensions view → ⋯ (More Actions)
2. "Check for Extension Updates"

Manually update

1. Extensions view → Find "HVE Core"
2. Click "Update" button

Need MCP Configuration or Guided Setup?

The extension provides the flagship RPI workflow and core artifacts but does not include MCP server configuration or artifacts from other collections. If you need auto-configured MCP servers, the complete artifact library, or guided setup for any installation method, the HVE Core Installer extension provides the installer skill:

1. Install the HVE Core Installer extension
2. Ask any agent: "help me customize hve-core installation"
3. The installer skill guides you through setup method selection and MCP configuration

Capability	HVE Core Extension	Installer Skill
Flagship collection (RPI)	✅	✅ (via clone)
All collections (hve-core-all)	❌	✅ (via clone)
MCP auto-configuration	❌	✅ 4 curated servers
Agent bundle selection	❌ (flagship only)	✅ (clone methods only)
Installation method guidance	❌	✅ peer clone, submodule, etc.

NOTE

The installer is a skill that works within any agent conversation. There is no separate "installer agent" in the agent picker. The installer extension packages the skill for VS Code distribution.

Migration Guide

From Manual Installation to Extension

If you're currently using manual methods like Peer Clone:

1. Delete HVE Core paths from .vscode/settings.json
2. Optionally remove the hve-core clone if no longer needed
3. Install the extension following the Quick Start above
4. Verify agents appear in Copilot Chat

From Extension to Manual Installation

If you need customization:

1. Uninstall the extension from Extensions view
2. Follow a manual method such as Peer Clone for local customization
3. Customize agents, prompts, or instructions as needed

Limitations

Aspect	Status
Customization	❌ Cannot modify components
Version control	⚠️ Extension updates only, no git control
Team enforcement	⚠️ Each member installs independently
Dev/testing	⚠️ Pre-release channel only, not custom branches
Portable paths	✅ Works everywhere
Setup complexity	✅ Simplest possible
Disk usage	✅ Single installation across all projects

Next Steps

• Your First Workflow - Try HVE Core with a real task
• Multi-Root Workspace - Combine extension with custom components
• Peer Clone - Switch to customizable installation

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🤖 Crafted with precision by ✨Copilot following brilliant human instruction, then carefully refined by our team of discerning human reviewers.