VS Code Live Share: How It Works, Status and Alternatives

Prices checked Oct 30, 2026Updated Oct 31, 2026

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With Live Share, one person (the host) shares a session from VS Code. Guests join with a link and see the host’s project without cloning it or installing dependencies. Each person keeps their own editor settings, theme and cursor.

Co-editing: everyone can edit files at the same time, with each person’s cursor visible.
Following: guests can follow the host’s cursor, or work in other files independently.
Shared debugging: guests can step through a debugging session the host starts.
Shared terminals: the host can share a terminal read-only or read-write.
Shared servers: the host can share a local web server or port, so guests can open the app the host is running.
Read-only sessions: for demos and code reviews where guests should not edit.

Install the Live Share extension from the VS Code Extensions view.
Select Live Share in the status bar and sign in with a Microsoft or GitHub account.
VS Code copies an invitation link. Send it to your guests.
Guests open the link and join in VS Code or in a browser.
Approve guests as they join, then share terminals or servers from the Live Share view if needed.
Select Stop collaboration session when you are done.

Joining from a browser

Microsoft’s documentation says guests can join a session from a browser as well as from VS Code. That is useful for interviews, students or a colleague on a locked-down machine. The browser experience is lighter than the desktop editor, so for longer sessions guests are better off in VS Code.

What maintenance mode means

Microsoft’s Live Share documentation states that Live Share is in maintenance mode, with no additional features planned. In practice:

The extension continues to work, and Microsoft maintains it.
Do not expect new features, such as deeper integration with AI coding tools.
For a team standardizing on a pair-programming tool for years, weigh the alternatives below.

Security tips

Only share sessions with people you trust. Guests with write access can change files in your project.
Share terminals read-only unless a guest needs to run commands. A read-write terminal runs commands on your machine.
Share only the servers and ports you need.
Exclude secrets: keep .env files and keys out of the shared workspace, or use the extension’s settings to hide files from guests.
End the session when you finish, and do not reuse invitation links.

Tips for a good pair-programming session

Agree on roles. One person drives (types), the other navigates (reviews and thinks ahead). Swap every 20 to 30 minutes.
Use follow mode deliberately. Followers see what the driver sees; turn it off to explore another file, and back on to rejoin.
Talk on a separate call. Live Share handles the code; use your usual voice or video tool for conversation.
Share the running app. Instead of describing what a page looks like, share the local server port so everyone can open it.
Commit together at the end. Changes land on the host’s machine. Decide who reviews and commits before you close the session.

Live Share also works well outside classic pair programming:

Teaching and mentoring. A read-only session lets a class follow along in their own editor, with their own font size and theme, instead of squinting at a shared screen. Switch a student to edit access when it is their turn.
Technical interviews. Candidates can join from a browser without installing anything, and the interviewer keeps the code on their own machine.
Helping a teammate debug. Join their session, follow their cursor to the failing code, and step through the debugger together instead of trading screenshots.
Code walkthroughs. Walk a reviewer through a change in its real context, with go-to-definition and search working for everyone.

Troubleshooting

Guests cannot join: check that the host is still signed in and the session is active, and that a corporate firewall or proxy is not blocking the connection.
A guest cannot edit: the session may be read-only. Start a new session with edit access.
Language features are missing for guests: some features depend on extensions installed on the guest’s side. Ask guests to install the same language extensions.
The shared server does not load: confirm the port is listed under shared servers in the Live Share view, and that the app is running on the host.

Option	How it works	Good for
Git branches and pull requests	Asynchronous: push, review, merge	Most team collaboration
A shared cloud dev environment	Everyone connects to the same remote workspace	Teams that want identical setups
Screen sharing or remote desktop	One person drives, others watch or take control	Quick help sessions; see best remote desktop software
AI coding agents	An agent edits the code while you review	Solo work; see Cursor vs Claude Code
Built-in collaboration in other editors	Some editors include real-time co-editing	Teams already on those editors

Yes, for what it does today. It is free, takes a minute to set up, and nothing else gives you shared debugging, terminals and servers inside VS Code so easily. Just treat it as a stable tool rather than one that will grow.

Read the Live Share docs

Frequently asked questions

Is VS Code Live Share free?

Yes. Live Share is a free extension from Microsoft. You sign in with a Microsoft or GitHub account.

Is Live Share discontinued?

No, but Microsoft lists it as being in maintenance mode, with no additional features planned. It continues to work.

Can guests join Live Share without VS Code?

Yes. Microsoft’s documentation says guests can join from a browser.

Does Live Share give guests access to my computer?

Guests can access the shared project and anything you explicitly share, such as a terminal or a local server. A read-write terminal lets them run commands on your machine, so share it only with people you trust.

Sources

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What Live Share does

How to start a Live Share session