EECS 280 Setup

One-click environment setup and verification for EECS 280 at the University of Michigan.

What this extension does

When you install this extension, it automatically:

• Installs required VS Code extensions: C/C++ and CodeLLDB for C++ editing and debugging. You may see these appear in your Extensions panel — that's expected.
• Applies course-default settings: disables AI/Copilot features and configures LLDB for the course's debugging workflow.
• Runs verification automatically: on first install and after extension updates, a terminal opens and checks that your development environment is set up correctly. The script will explain any issues it finds and offer to fix them.

It also provides an EECS 280: Verify Setup command you can run manually any time you want to re-check your environment.

Usage

Install the extension from the VS Code Marketplace. Verification runs automatically the first time the extension loads (and again after updates) — a terminal will open and check your environment. Follow any prompts; if the script finds issues, it will explain each one and offer to fix it.

Re-running verification manually

To re-check your environment later:

1. Open the Command Palette:
   • macOS: Cmd+Shift+P
   • Windows/Linux: Ctrl+Shift+P
2. Type EECS 280: Verify Setup and press Enter.
3. Follow any prompts in the terminal.

What gets checked

macOS

• Xcode Command Line Tools (C++ compiler)
• Homebrew (package manager)
• CLI tools: tree, wget, git
• VS Code code command

Windows (WSL)

• WSL environment (user account, WSL version)
• C++ toolchain: g++, gdb, make
• CLI tools: tree, wget, git, rsync, ssh, python3
• VS Code code command

Native Linux

• C++ toolchain: g++, gdb, make
• CLI tools: tree, wget, git, rsync, ssh, python3
• VS Code code command

Troubleshooting

Windows: "EECS 280 requires WSL" You need to install WSL and Ubuntu first, then connect VS Code to WSL. See the WSL setup guide.

macOS: Xcode CLT installation dialog doesn't appear Try running xcode-select --install directly in Terminal.

'code' command not found Open VS Code, press Cmd+Shift+P (or Ctrl+Shift+P), type "Shell Command: Install 'code' command in PATH", and run it. Then restart your terminal.

For course staff

This extension is maintained at github.com/eecs280staff/vscode-setup280.

Related documentation that references this extension (update alongside changes here):

• EECS 280 tutorials repo
• macOS VS Code setup guide
• WSL VS Code setup guide

Created by Alex Ni for EECS 280 at the University of Michigan.