SwarmCraft
Install and ConnectGuide

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Download VS Code and install SwarmCraft

Get the editor and extension in place so SwarmCraft can connect the project board to your local repository workflow.

Download VS Code and install SwarmCraft

SwarmCraft's delivery loop lives inside Visual Studio Code, so your first setup step is to make sure VS Code is installed on the machine where you will build and review the project.

Install VS Code

Download Visual Studio Code from code.visualstudio.com/download, install it for your operating system, and open the repository you prepared for the project.

Install the SwarmCraft extension

SwarmCraft is now available on the Visual Studio Marketplace.

Use one of these install paths:

  1. Open VS Code.
  2. Open the Extensions view. On macOS use Cmd+Shift+X. On Windows and Linux use Ctrl+Shift+X.
  3. Search for SwarmCraft or the exact extension ID SwarmCraft.swarmcraft-vscode-extension.
  4. Select SwarmCraft by publisher SwarmCraft.
  5. Click Install.
  6. If VS Code asks you to trust the publisher, confirm the install.

You can also open the public listing directly:

If you prefer to install from the command line, run:

code --install-extension SwarmCraft.swarmcraft-vscode-extension

If your browser is already connected to VS Code, this direct install URI can open the extension details page in the editor:

vscode:extension/SwarmCraft.swarmcraft-vscode-extension

If you are working from a private environment or a development build, use the VSIX package or internal install instructions your team has been given instead.

Check the key settings

SwarmCraft uses two base URLs inside VS Code:

  • swarmcraft.apiBaseUrl for API requests
  • swarmcraft.webBaseUrl for opening browser routes

The extension also has swarmcraft.aiProvider. It chooses the local Codex or Copilot adapter used for Deep Discovery conversations and the command format copied for later packet work. It defaults to copilot. Use SwarmCraft: Choose AI Provider to match the provider you have installed and signed in.

Deep Discovery starts in one trusted Git workspace before a project exists. Project delivery uses the same extension after Project Unlock. Read Choose Fast Start or Deep Discovery before assuming every journey begins with browser chat.

The published extension already defaults to the production SwarmCraft service:

  • swarmcraft.apiBaseUrl: https://swarmcraft.ai/api
  • swarmcraft.webBaseUrl: https://swarmcraft.ai
  • swarmcraft.aiProvider: copilot

Most users should not change these settings.

If you are doing local development instead of using the hosted product, override them like this:

  • Use http://localhost:18080 for swarmcraft.apiBaseUrl with the local Aspire API.
  • Use http://localhost:8080 for swarmcraft.apiBaseUrl with the local Docker compose stack.
  • Local API origins automatically open browser commands in Vite at http://localhost:5173. Use swarmcraft.webBaseUrl only as an advanced override for another web origin or port.

If you plan to run a full board from the terminal instead of moving one ticket at a time in VS Code, install the SwarmCraft CLI after MFA is set up.

Next, continue with Sign in and set up MFA.