ports/www/code-server/files/EXTENSIONS.md

Extension Cookbook for code-server on FreeBSD

Master copy: https://github.com/joneum/FreeBSD-CodeServer (the file in share/doc/code-server/ is a snapshot shipped with the package).

Since code-server 4.135.0_1 the FreeBSD port installs extensions from the Open VSX registry as on any other platform. Some popular extensions bundle or download native Linux binaries (language servers, debug adapters) that do not run on FreeBSD. In most cases the fix is the same two-step recipe:

1. install the native tool from packages/ports, and
2. point the extension at it via a setting.

All entries below were verified on FreeBSD 15.1 with code-server 4.135.0_1 as of September 2026: the extension installs, the setting keys are taken from the extensions' own manifests, and the binary paths from the ports' packing lists.

Recipes

Language	Extension	Install	Setting (settings.json)
Rust	rust-lang.rust-analyzer	pkg install rust-analyzer	"rust-analyzer.server.path": "/usr/local/bin/rust-analyzer"
Go	golang.go	pkg install go gopls delve	"go.alternateTools": { "gopls": "/usr/local/bin/gopls", "dlv": "/usr/local/bin/dlv" }
C/C++	llvm-vs-code-extensions.vscode-clangd	pkg install llvm21	"clangd.path": "/usr/local/llvm21/bin/clangd"
C/C++ debug	llvm-vs-code-extensions.lldb-dap	pkg install llvm21	"lldb-dap.executable-path": "/usr/local/llvm21/bin/lldb-dap"
Python	ms-python.python	pkg install python	"python.defaultInterpreterPath": "/usr/local/bin/python3" (the extension needs a findable interpreter; for type checking add ms-pyright.pyright, pure JS, no setup)
Java	redhat.java	pkg install openjdk21	"java.jdt.ls.java.home": "/usr/local/openjdk21"
Lua	sumneko.lua	pkg install lua-language-server	"Lua.misc.executablePath": "/usr/local/bin/lua-language-server"
Shell (lint)	timonwong.shellcheck	pkg install hs-ShellCheck	"shellcheck.executablePath": "/usr/local/bin/shellcheck"
Shell (format)	foxundermoon.shell-format	pkg install shfmt	"shellformat.path": "/usr/local/bin/shfmt"
Python (lint)	charliermarsh.ruff	pkg install ruff	"ruff.path": ["/usr/local/bin/ruff"]
Terraform	hashicorp.terraform	pkg install terraform terraform-ls	"terraform.languageServer.path": "/usr/local/bin/terraform-ls"
Zig	ziglang.vscode-zig	pkg install zig zls	"zig.path": "/usr/local/bin/zig", "zig.zls.path": "/usr/local/bin/zls"
Ruby	shopify.ruby-lsp	pkg install ruby rubygem-ruby-lsp	"rubyLsp.rubyExecutablePath": "/usr/local/bin/ruby"

Note: versioned package names and paths (llvm21, openjdk21, the py312- prefix) follow the current ports defaults; when the default changes, check the new path with pkg info -l <package>.

Put the settings into the User settings of code-server (Settings UI, or ~/.local/share/code-server/User/settings.json; with a custom --user-data-dir the file lives below that directory). After changing a path, run "Developer: Reload Window"; newly installed extensions appear after a browser reload.

Copy-paste block with everything combined:

{
  "rust-analyzer.server.path": "/usr/local/bin/rust-analyzer",
  "go.alternateTools": {
    "gopls": "/usr/local/bin/gopls",
    "dlv": "/usr/local/bin/dlv"
  },
  "clangd.path": "/usr/local/llvm21/bin/clangd",
  "lldb-dap.executable-path": "/usr/local/llvm21/bin/lldb-dap",
  "python.defaultInterpreterPath": "/usr/local/bin/python3",
  "java.jdt.ls.java.home": "/usr/local/openjdk21",
  "Lua.misc.executablePath": "/usr/local/bin/lua-language-server",
  "shellcheck.executablePath": "/usr/local/bin/shellcheck",
  "shellformat.path": "/usr/local/bin/shfmt",
  "ruff.path": ["/usr/local/bin/ruff"],
  "terraform.languageServer.path": "/usr/local/bin/terraform-ls",
  "zig.path": "/usr/local/bin/zig",
  "zig.zls.path": "/usr/local/bin/zls",
  "rubyLsp.rubyExecutablePath": "/usr/local/bin/ruby"
}

Tip: if you install packages from your own poudriere repository, add the language server packages to your build list.

Display language

To switch the UI language, install the language pack through the Extensions view of the running instance (for example "German Language Pack", ms-ceintl.vscode-language-pack-de), then run "Configure Display Language" from the command palette and pick the language. A language pack installed with code-server --install-extension on the command line is not registered by the running server; (re)install it from the Extensions view instead. The packs on Open VSX can lag behind the bundled VS Code version, so very recent UI strings may stay English until the pack catches up.

Known limitations

Extension	Status	Alternative
Pylance (ms-python.vscode-pylance)	licensed for Microsoft builds only, not on Open VSX	ms-pyright.pyright
C/C++ (ms-vscode.cpptools)	licensed for Microsoft builds only	vscode-clangd + lldb-dap (see above)
Live Share	licensed for Microsoft builds only	none
Python debugging (ms-python.debugpy)	installs, but bundles Linux-only native wheels; launch (F5) may fail	pkg install py312-debugpy, start your program with python3 -m debugpy --listen 5678 --wait-for-client prog.py and use a "Remote Attach" launch configuration (attaches via port, not via the process picker)
JavaScript/Node "Attach to Process" picker	the bundled js-debug uses its own ps(1) invocation that misparses on FreeBSD	attach via port (--inspect) instead of the picker
Jupyter (ms-toolsai.jupyter)	native zeromq addon, does not load on FreeBSD	run JupyterLab natively and use the browser
PHP (devsense)	closed-source Linux language server binaries	bmewburn.vscode-intelephense-client

Found a working recipe that is missing here, or one that no longer works? Please open an issue or pull request at https://github.com/joneum/FreeBSD-CodeServer.