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Code editors and IDEs

A practical hub for Windows coding setups. Use it to compare mainstream editors, AI-first IDEs, and terminal-friendly tools you may want on a developer workstation.

12 appsQuick install this topicExplore comparisons

Quick install this topic

Review the included apps, then run the recommended per-app commands in PowerShell. Open other installation methods if you prefer an import file or DSC configuration.

Run this command in PowerShell on Windows with App Installer (winget) available. Review installer prompts and publisher requirements before proceeding.

Review the apps below before installing. This installs the first 12 apps in this topic.

Recommended

Per-app install commands

Run only the apps you actually want. Best when you already have most of these installed and only need to top up.

winget install --id 'Microsoft.VisualStudioCode' --exact
winget install --id 'Anysphere.Cursor' --exact
winget install --id 'Codeium.Windsurf' --exact
winget install --id 'JetBrains.IntelliJIDEA.Community' --exact
winget install --id 'ZedIndustries.Zed' --exact
winget install --id 'SublimeHQ.SublimeText.4' --exact
winget install --id 'Microsoft.VisualStudio.Community' --exact
winget install --id 'JetBrains.PyCharm.Community' --exact
winget install --id 'JetBrains.WebStorm' --exact
winget install --id 'JetBrains.GoLand' --exact
winget install --id 'Neovim.Neovim' --exact
winget install --id 'Anthropic.ClaudeCode' --exact
Other installation methods
Option 1

Batch install with winget import

One copy-paste, no manual download. The command below pulls topic-code-editors-ides.packages.json from winpkg.com and runs winget import on it. Best for moving an app set between machines.

$f = "$env:TEMP\topic-code-editors-ides.packages.json"; Invoke-WebRequest -UseBasicParsing -Uri "https://winpkg.com/topics/code-editors-ides/packages.json" -OutFile $f; winget import -i $f

Run in PowerShell. Saves to %TEMP% and runs winget on it.

Already downloaded the file? Use the short command
winget import -i topic-code-editors-ides.packages.json
Option 2

Declarative setup with winget configure

One copy-paste, no manual download. The command below pulls topic-code-editors-ides.winget from winpkg.com and applies it with winget configure. Best for repeatable dev-box bootstrap and onboarding scripts.

$f = "$env:TEMP\topic-code-editors-ides.winget"; Invoke-WebRequest -UseBasicParsing -Uri "https://winpkg.com/topics/code-editors-ides/topic.winget" -OutFile $f; winget configure $f

Tip: on Windows with App Installer, double-clicking a downloaded .winget file runs winget configure on it automatically — no terminal needed.

Already downloaded the file? Use the short command
winget configure topic-code-editors-ides.winget

Compare tools in this topic

All comparisons →

Use these comparison pages when you are deciding between closely related apps before you install.

Cursor vs Windsurf

Compare Cursor and Windsurf on Windows for AI coding workflows, editing feel, agent-style features, and who each IDE suits best.

Cursor vs Microsoft Visual Studio Code

Compare Cursor and Visual Studio Code on Windows for AI coding, extension familiarity, editor stability, and when the upgrade is worth it.

Focused install options in this topic

Smaller install flows, kept inside Topics
Developer quick setup

Developer Toolkit

A practical Windows developer starter bundle for rebuilding an editor, terminal, runtime, and tooling stack in one go.

Developer workstation setupTeam onboardingFresh coding machines
Bring your dev stack back with one install flow.
Microsoft Visual Studio CodeGitDocker DesktopPython 3.12Node.jsGo Programming Language

Why this topic matters

  • •Covers mainstream editors, AI IDEs, and terminal-first coding tools
  • •Great companion page for a fresh developer workstation setup
  • •Useful internal hub for many high-intent app pages

Apps in this topic

Compare related apps →
Microsoft Visual Studio Code icon
Microsoft Visual Studio CodeMicrosoft Corporation

Microsoft Visual Studio Code is a code editor redefined and optimized for building and debugging modern web and cloud applications. Microsoft Visual Studio Code is free and available on your favorite platform - Linux, macOS, and Windows.

developer-toolseditor
v1.142.0Microsoft Software License
Details →
Zed icon
ZedZed Industries

High-performance, multiplayer code editor from the creators of Atom and Tree-sitter.

code-editordeveloper-toolseditor
v1.25.3GPL-3.0
Details →
Claude Code icon
Claude CodeAnthropic PBC

Unleash Claude’s raw power directly in your terminal. Search million-line codebases instantly. Turn hours-long workflows into a single command. Your tools. Your workflow. Your codebase, evolving at thought speed.

agentagenticai
v2.1.302Proprietary
Details →