Microsoft has released Visual Studio Code 1.100, the latest version of its popular code editor, which brings significant upgrades to its AI-powered development capabilities. The new release, also known as the April 2025 release, is now available for download on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

One of the key highlights of VS Code 1.100 is the introduction of support for Markdown-based instructions and prompt files for Copilot Chat. This allows developers to tailor their AI chat experience to their specific coding practices and technology stack. Instructions files define coding practices, preferred technologies, project requirements, and other custom instructions, while prompt files create reusable chat requests for common tasks. For instance, developers can create different instructions files for different programming languages or project types, and a prompt file can be used to create a front-end component.

In addition to the Copilot Chat upgrades, VS Code 1.100 also speeds up code editing in agent mode, particularly in large files. This is achieved through the addition of support for OpenAI's apply patch editing format and Anthropic's replace string tool. The update for OpenAI is currently available in VS Code Insiders and will gradually roll out to Stable, while the update for Anthropic is available for all users.

The new release also introduces a new model for powering Next Edit Suggestions, which provides faster and more contextually relevant code recommendations. This updated model delivers suggestions with reduced latency and aligns more closely with recent edits. Furthermore, Next Edit Suggestions can now automatically suggest adding missing import statements in JavaScript and TypeScript files.

VS Code 1.100 also focuses on security, with the addition of "Learn More" links that provide explanations for why an extension was flagged as malicious. These links connect users to GitHub issues or documentation with details about the security concerns, helping users better understand potential risks. Moreover, extension signature verification is now required on all platforms, including Linux, to ensure that all extensions are properly validated before installation.

The release also includes two new modes for floating windows, which allow developers to move editors and certain views out of the main window into a smaller window for lightweight multi-window setups. The two new modes are Compact, which hides certain UI elements to make more room for content, and Always-on-top, which keeps the window on top of all other windows until the developer leaves this mode.

In terms of source control, VS Code 1.100 adds quick diff editor decorations for staged changes, enabling developers to view staged changes directly from the editor without needing to open the Source Control view. For debugging, the release features a context menu in the disassembly view.

VS Code 1.100 follows the release of VS Code 1.99, which introduced improvements for Copilot Chat and Copilot agent mode, as well as the introduction of Next Edit Suggestions. The new release builds upon these features and provides a more comprehensive and efficient AI-powered development experience for developers.

The latest release of VS Code demonstrates Microsoft's continued commitment to enhancing the development experience with AI-driven capabilities. As AI continues to play a larger role in software development, releases like VS Code 1.100 will be crucial in helping developers work more efficiently and effectively.