From b1824c7d6e1410ce2e4d97627a5b2bb10330d6c6 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Dakota Bazan <148282997+DakotaB75@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2025 19:25:28 -0300 Subject: [PATCH 1/3] docs(remote): document using WSL over SSH Documents the ability to connect to a WSL distribution over an existing SSH connection, introduced in VS Code 1.89. The content is added to the WSL Remote documentation and is based on existing release notes and behavior. Documentation-only change. --- docs/remote/wsl.md | 25 +++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 25 insertions(+) diff --git a/docs/remote/wsl.md b/docs/remote/wsl.md index d6a9df50796..a77ed3a1d19 100644 --- a/docs/remote/wsl.md +++ b/docs/remote/wsl.md @@ -121,6 +121,31 @@ You can also use the `code` command line from this same terminal window to perfo ![Using the code CLI](images/wsl/code-command-in-terminal.png) +### Using WSL over an existing SSH connection + +Starting with VS Code 1.89, it is possible to connect to a WSL distribution over an existing SSH connection. + +This workflow is useful when you are already connected to a remote machine using **Remote - SSH** and want to work inside a WSL environment hosted on that machine. + +#### Prerequisites + +- VS Code 1.89 or later +- Remote - SSH extension +- WSL installed and configured on the remote machine + +#### Connect to WSL over SSH + +1. Connect to the remote machine using **Remote - SSH**. +2. Open the Command Palette (`kbstyle(F1)`) and run: + + **Remote-WSL: Connect to WSL using SSH** + +3. Select the target WSL distribution. + +VS Code will open a new window connected to the selected WSL environment over the existing SSH session. + +This setup combines **Remote - SSH** and **Remote - WSL**, enabling a seamless development experience with Linux tooling inside WSL while working on a remote host. + ## Debugging in WSL Once you've opened a folder in WSL, you can use VS Code's debugger in the same way you would when running the application locally. For example, if you select a launch configuration in `launch.json` and start debugging (`kb(workbench.action.debug.start)`), the application will start on remote host and attach the debugger to it. From 3c5655ed490c3b4e2b0ca5d7bba5e3ba30b44b24 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Dakota Bazan <148282997+DakotaB75@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2026 20:11:57 -0300 Subject: [PATCH 2/3] docs(remote): simplify WSL over SSH instructions --- docs/remote/wsl.md | 23 +++-------------------- 1 file changed, 3 insertions(+), 20 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/remote/wsl.md b/docs/remote/wsl.md index a77ed3a1d19..7c3b229287e 100644 --- a/docs/remote/wsl.md +++ b/docs/remote/wsl.md @@ -123,28 +123,11 @@ You can also use the `code` command line from this same terminal window to perfo ### Using WSL over an existing SSH connection -Starting with VS Code 1.89, it is possible to connect to a WSL distribution over an existing SSH connection. - -This workflow is useful when you are already connected to a remote machine using **Remote - SSH** and want to work inside a WSL environment hosted on that machine. - -#### Prerequisites - -- VS Code 1.89 or later -- Remote - SSH extension -- WSL installed and configured on the remote machine - -#### Connect to WSL over SSH - -1. Connect to the remote machine using **Remote - SSH**. -2. Open the Command Palette (`kbstyle(F1)`) and run: - - **Remote-WSL: Connect to WSL using SSH** - +1. Connect to the remote machine using the [Remote - SSH extension](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ms-vscode-remote.remote-ssh). +2. Run the **WSL: Connect to WSL using Distro** command from the Command Palette (`kb(workbench.action.showCommands)`). 3. Select the target WSL distribution. -VS Code will open a new window connected to the selected WSL environment over the existing SSH session. - -This setup combines **Remote - SSH** and **Remote - WSL**, enabling a seamless development experience with Linux tooling inside WSL while working on a remote host. +Alternatively, select the remote WSL in the Remote Explorer view. ## Debugging in WSL From 260e3bad471690ce6f4ece0ee35e2a9e0e56b00e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Nick Trogh Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2026 10:20:57 +0200 Subject: [PATCH 3/3] Edit pass --- docs/remote/wsl.md | 17 +++++++++++++---- 1 file changed, 13 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/remote/wsl.md b/docs/remote/wsl.md index 7c3b229287e..b45b8948384 100644 --- a/docs/remote/wsl.md +++ b/docs/remote/wsl.md @@ -123,11 +123,20 @@ You can also use the `code` command line from this same terminal window to perfo ### Using WSL over an existing SSH connection -1. Connect to the remote machine using the [Remote - SSH extension](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ms-vscode-remote.remote-ssh). -2. Run the **WSL: Connect to WSL using Distro** command from the Command Palette (`kb(workbench.action.showCommands)`). -3. Select the target WSL distribution. +You can connect to a WSL distribution on a remote Windows machine through Remote - SSH, without setting up an SSH server inside WSL. -Alternatively, select the remote WSL in the Remote Explorer view. +Before you begin, make sure that: + +* WSL and your target Linux distribution are installed on the remote Windows machine. +* The [WSL extension](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ms-vscode-remote.remote-wsl) and [Remote - SSH extension](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ms-vscode-remote.remote-ssh) are installed locally. + +To connect to the remote WSL distribution: + +1. Use Remote - SSH to connect to the remote Windows machine, not directly to the WSL distribution. +1. In the SSH-connected window, open the Command Palette (`kb(workbench.action.showCommands)`) and run **WSL: Connect to WSL using Distro...**. +1. Select the target WSL distribution on the remote Windows machine. + +Alternatively, after connecting to the Windows machine over SSH, use the **Remote Explorer** view to connect to the target WSL distribution. ## Debugging in WSL