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How to install and use Amazon Q Developer in VS Code: extension, AWS Builder ID, first inline suggestion

Install Amazon Q, complete Builder ID sign-in, then Tab-accept the first gray inline completion in your repo.

To get your first inline suggestion from Amazon Q Developer in VS Code, finish three jobs: install the Amazon Q extension from the Marketplace, sign in with a free AWS Builder ID, then accept gray ghost text with Tab in a source file.

Facts follow docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/q-in-IDE-setup.html and inline-suggestions.html. Queries: Amazon Q Developer VS Code install, AWS Builder ID sign in. Individuals can use Builder ID without an AWS account. This is AWS’s IDE assistant, not this site’s meeting product. For a short huddle see sitdraw and create and join a room.

InstallBuilder IDTab completion

Inline suggestions vs sidebar Chat

Inline suggestions

Gray continuations as you type code or comments—Tab to accept, Esc to dismiss. Enabled by default after install per AWS inline-suggestions docs.

Amazon Q Chat

The Activity Bar Amazon Q icon opens chat, explain, and refactor flows. For hour one, confirm ghost text before layering Chat or agent features.

TabAccept inline
Builder IDFree personal login
PauseTask bar toggle
GoalEntryFirst-hour check
InstallExtensions → Amazon QAmazon Q icon in Activity Bar; Reload if needed
Sign inAmazon Q panel → Use for free with AWS Builder IDBrowser auth code matches VS Code → return connected
InlineType in .py / .ts / etc.Ghost text → Tab accept
PauseIDE nav bar Amazon Q → task barPause / Resume Auto-Suggestions

Install, Builder ID, first inline suggestion

  1. 01
    Install the VS Code extension

    Extensions Cmd+Shift+X / Ctrl+Shift+X, search Amazon Q, publisher Amazon Web Services, id AmazonWebServices.amazon-q-vscode → Install → Reload. Quick Open: ext install AmazonWebServices.amazon-q-vscode.

  2. 02
    Sign in with AWS Builder ID

    Open the Activity Bar Amazon Q icon → choose Use for free with AWS Builder ID. Complete browser authorization and confirm the code matches VS Code. Create a Builder ID during signup if needed—no AWS console account required. Pro users pick Company account and IAM Identity Center Start URL per the VS Code auth section in AWS docs.

  3. 03
    Verify your first inline suggestion

    In a repo you own, type a function header or comment such as // parse ISO date string to UTC or function clamp(n, min, max) {. Wait for gray ghost text, press Tab to accept. If nothing appears, ensure Auto-Suggestions are not paused and disable competing inline providers (Copilot, etc.) for the first test.

# First hour · Amazon Q Developer · VS Code · 2026-10-13
# ext install AmazonWebServices.amazon-q-vscode
# Amazon Q → Use for free with AWS Builder ID
# Browser auth code → Confirm
# Source file → Tab on ghost text
# docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/q-in-IDE-setup.html
# .../inline-suggestions.html
Do I need an AWS account?
AWS Builder ID covers the free individual tier without opening an AWS console account. Pro uses IAM Identity Center.
No gray completions?
Confirm Builder ID is connected, Auto-Suggestions are not paused, and the language is supported. Check Output logs; Reload Window.
Compare Codeium or Copilot?
Amazon Q ties to AWS sign-in; see our Codeium/Windsurf Plugin guide and Tabnine guide.
Whiteboard replacement?
No—open sitdraw for diagrams.

Builder ID first, then Tab

After sign-in and inline work, explore Chat—validate ghost text with a small function or one-line comment first.

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