# New pre-release distribution method for the Julia VS Code extension

**URL:** https://discourse.julialang.org/t/new-pre-release-distribution-method-for-the-julia-vs-code-extension/88313
**Category:** VS Code
**Created:** [October 5, 2022, 9:56pm UTC](https://discourse.julialang.org/t/new-pre-release-distribution-method-for-the-julia-vs-code-extension/88313 "2022-10-05T21:56:25Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![davidanthoff](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/julialang/user_avatar/discourse.julialang.org/davidanthoff/32/223493_2.png) [@davidanthoff](https://discourse.julialang.org/u/davidanthoff)
#### Post date: [October 5, 2022, 9:56pm UTC](https://discourse.julialang.org/t/new-pre-release-distribution-method-for-the-julia-vs-code-extension/88313/1 "2022-10-05T21:56:25Z")

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We just changed how we distribute pre-release versions of the Julia extension for VS Code. In the past we had a separate extension in the VS Code marketplace that was called `Julia Insider` for this purpose. That insider extension is now deprecated, and we are using standard features in VS Code to distribute pre-release versions instead.

Going forward, if you want to try the pre-release version of the extension, you would install the regular [Julia](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=julialang.language-julia) extension first. Then head over to the extension view in VS Code and select the Julia extension. At the top you will now see a button `Switch to Pre-Release Version`:

 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/julialang/original/3X/f/7/f7152abd8f9e519af3ea93aaa9333ed8abee45aa.png)

And yes, you guessed it: if you click that button you are automatically switched over to the pre-release channel and will always get the latest pre-release.

Switching back to the release version is equally simple, just press the `Switch to Release Version` button:

 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/julialang/original/3X/e/0/e07a60707ebc174e512b3346afaae953d09e1ddc.png)

Switching back and forth is really quick and simple now, so hopefully this will make it easier to just hop over to the pre-release version if you want to try something new.

This change also brings a new version number scheme with it. In general, the patch version of the extension version now indicates whether a given build is a) not released to any channel (with a patch number 0), b) released to the pre-release/insider channel (with a patch number of 1) or c) released to everyone (patch number of 2). Whenever we are going to release a new build, we are now going to increase the minor part of the version number. All of this is not really in the spirit of semver, but at the moment the VS Code marketplace doesn’t support anything else, so we just have to do it this way.

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### Author: ![Lincoln\_Hannah](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/julialang/user_avatar/discourse.julialang.org/lincoln_hannah/32/19198_2.png) [@Lincoln\_Hannah](https://discourse.julialang.org/u/Lincoln_Hannah)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2023, 2:39am UTC](https://discourse.julialang.org/t/new-pre-release-distribution-method-for-the-julia-vs-code-extension/88313/2 "2023-06-13T02:39:36Z")

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Installed Julia 1.9.1.  
Can’t see the “Switch to Pre-Release Version” button  
Having the issue of Ctrl+Enter not working over multiple lines. (previously fixed by pre-release version)

 ![Screenshot 2023-06-13 123551](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/julialang/original/3X/8/9/891d08c3464569910da8806de148387f7b7f31e8.png)

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### Author: ![davidanthoff](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/julialang/user_avatar/discourse.julialang.org/davidanthoff/32/223493_2.png) [@davidanthoff](https://discourse.julialang.org/u/davidanthoff)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2023, 4:13pm UTC](https://discourse.julialang.org/t/new-pre-release-distribution-method-for-the-julia-vs-code-extension/88313/3 "2023-06-13T16:13:54Z")

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If there is no prerelease button, it means that currently there is no prerelease version. v1.47.2 is the latest extension version that exists.
