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How to install Algo VSCode into Linux

Vsevolod Karpenko
Last Updated: 2 weeks ago

----------------------> Installation File <----------------------

General information

To study in Python courses, you need to install additional software — the Algo Visual Studio Code editor.

The student’s computer must have the Algorithmics version of VS Code installed.


We don't support using the original VS Code program, as no stable method has been found for installing the algopython extension, which integrates the learning platform with the program used during lessons.

Installation requirements

Check the technical requirements for the computer and operating system:

  • Minimum requirement: Ubuntu 22.04

  • Supported: Ubuntu 22.04 and above

  • Not supported: Any version lower than Ubuntu 22.04 — these OS versions are outdated and no longer supported by Linux developers.

If your OS version does not meet the requirements, Algo VS Code will not install correctly, and there is a high risk of malfunctions.

  • Install under the PC Administrator account

If your computer has multiple user accounts, installation must be performed from the same account where the program will be used. Other accounts will not have access.
For example, if your child has a separate account, installation must be done under that account.

  • Use a username written in Latin characters

Example: Python. Due to technical limitations, accounts named in Cyrillic may cause errors in some functions of the code editor.

  • Check the correct date and time settings on the PC

Your computer must have the correct date and time set; otherwise, file-saving problems may occur.

Step-by-Step installation guide

The steps differ depending on whether you are installing the program for the first time or reinstalling it:

Before installing Algo VS Code:

  1. update the package lists and installed packages using the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

  1. If prompted by the system for confirmation, type Y and press Enter.

  1. If a configuration window appears, press Enter.

  1. Choose a keyboard layout switching shortcut (default: Alt+Shift) and press Enter.

  1. Install ImageMagick - a free, cross-platform tool for batch image processing. It supports various formats and works with programming languages like Python, Java, PHP, and more.

sudo apt install imagemagick

  1. Again, confirm the installation by typing Y.

Initial installation

  1. Download the installer by clicking Download.

    If your browser warns: "Failed to check file for viruses", click Download anyway.

  1. Open the folder containing the installation file.

  2. Press F4 (or Cmd+F4 / Win+F4) to open the terminal window.

    If that doesn’t work:

    • Right-click inside the folder window and select "Open in Terminal".

    • Or go to the folder’s menu → Tools → Open Folder in Terminal.

  3. In the terminal, enter the command:

/bin/bash linux-vscode_installer-2025-01-06.sh

  1. Wait for the installation to complete.

  2. When finished, you’ll see this message: *****ALGORITMIKA INSTALLATION COMPLETED*****

    The terminal will then be ready for the next command. You can close the terminal.

For Ubuntu:

  1. Go to your desktop and find the shortcut algovscode.desktop.

  2. Double-click the file.

  3. In the warning window, click "Trust and Launch" (This message will not appear again on future launches).

  4. Algo VSCode will open. The shortcut icon will change to the Algorithmics Python course logo and the name will update to “Algo VSCode”.

Verifying installation and program functionality

Now let’s check if the program was installed correctly:

  1. Launch Algo VSCode.

  2. On launch, you should see the login window for the Algorithmics platform.

Screen_Shot_2022-07-28_at_16.20.22.png

  1. Go to the Extensions tab. You should see only two extensions installed:

  • algopython

  • Python (by Microsoft)

  1. Make sure the version of algopython is at least: v20250624.103906.0

  1. Ensure the correct Python interpreter is selected.
    Look at the bottom-left corner of the program window. It should show something like:     Python 3.9.13 64-bit

Test the editor’s functionality:

  1. Create a new file via File → New File and type:

print('Hello, world!')

  1. To ensure Algo VSCode recognizes it as Python code, save it with the .py extension:

    • Use File → Save As

    pasted_image_0__15_.png

    • Either:

      • Add .py manually in the file name

      • Or select Python in the “File Type” dropdown

  2. After saving as a .py file, syntax highlighting will appear.

Screen_Shot_2022-07-28_at_17.43.04.png

  1. To run the code, press F5 or click the Run button in the app.

Screen_Shot_2022-07-28_at_17.44.09.png

  1. If everything is set up correctly, the terminal will display: Hello, world!

Screen_Shot_2022-07-28_at_17.48.36.png

Reinstallation

If you already had Algo VSCode installed, you must fully remove the old version before installing the new one. This ensures a clean installation and avoids file conflicts.

  1. Uninstall the program using the standard method.

  2. Open your Home folder and delete:

    • the vscode folder

    • the folder inside miniconda

  3. Empty the Trash.

  4. Download the installer again.

  5. Follow the same instructions as for Installation.

If you encounter any difficulties, please contact Algorithmics Technical Support — we’ll do our best to assist you!

How can I contact support and what questions can I ask?

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