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How to install and use Roo Code in VS Code: API provider, modes, first coding task

Install Roo Code, wire an API provider, ask a read-only question, then approve your first small Code-mode edit.

To run your first job with Roo Code in VS Code, finish four steps: install the Marketplace Roo Code extension, connect an LLM provider with your API key, open a folder workspace in Code mode, then approve a small reviewed change.

Facts follow docs.roocode.com/getting-started/installing and docs.roocode.com/getting-started/connecting-api-provider plus Marketplace Roo Code (RooVeterinaryInc.roo-cline). Queries: Roo Code VS Code install, Roo Code API provider setup. As of 2026-05-15 the publisher stopped maintaining the extension (the final build may still run); for an actively maintained fork lineage see our Cline guide. For a short huddle see sitdraw and create and join a room.

InstallAPICode mode · first task

Modes at a glance

Code mode

Everyday edits, terminal runs, multi-step tasks—use it for your first approved diff.

Architect, Ask, Debug

Architect for plans; Ask for fast Q&A; Debug for traces. Custom modes tailor team workflows.

BYOKBring your API key
ModesCode · Architect · Ask
MCPHook MCP servers
GoalEntryFirst-hour check
Wire a modelActivity Bar Roo Code → welcome providerOpenRouter or Anthropic → paste key → pick a Sonnet-class model
Read-only mapAsk + @ fileAsk what a module does before editing
First changeCode modeOne README line or docstring → approve each diff
Plan a larger changeArchitectOutline steps, then switch to Code

Install, provider, first Code task

  1. 01
    Install the extension

    Extensions → search Roo Code (publisher RooVeterinaryInc) → Install. Quick Open: ext install RooVeterinaryInc.roo-cline. Reload if prompted.

  2. 02
    Connect an LLM provider

    Open the Roo Code panel → pick a provider on the welcome screen (docs suggest OpenRouter or Anthropic) → paste your API key → choose a model such as claude-sonnet-4-5. Never commit keys to git.

  3. 03
    Open folder and Ask

    File → Open Folder for the whole repo. Switch to Ask, use @file for a read-only question.

  4. 04
    First Code task

    Switch to Code, request a tiny non-behavior change (docstring). Review diffs and terminal commands; Approve each step; verify with git diff.

# First hour · Roo Code · VS Code · 2026-10-15
# ext install RooVeterinaryInc.roo-cline
# Provider + API key + model in Roo panel
# Ask @file → Code mode → approve small diff
# docs.roocode.com/getting-started/installing
How is Roo Code related to Cline?
Roo Code forked from Cline; maintenance status follows official notices. See our Cline guide.
Provider errors or 401?
Check key validity, model ID spelling, and proxy/firewall. Reload Window; Remote SSH needs outbound HTTPS.
Is Roo Code Router still available?
Official docs indicate the router ended with extension sunset—use BYOK providers instead.
Does this replace a whiteboard?
No. For architecture diagrams open sitdraw or temporary meeting tools.

Provider before Code tasks

Most empty runs are a missing API profile or a single-file workspace instead of Open Folder.

Start the picture