For non-tech people, VS Code is a scary tool. It looks intimidating. Developer-focused. Like something only engineers should touch. I thought the same thing.
Then I found out how people are using AI in VS Code to complete non-coding tasks and it's mind blowing.
Last week, I completed my first business task using VS Code + AI: reading my spreadsheet criteria, structuring the framework logic, creating decision trees, writing training documentation, and ensuring MECE compliance, work that would normally take at least 3-4 hours of uninterrupted time.
The assumption everyone makes
Here's what business leaders get wrong about AI tools:
AI is a chat assistant that lives in a website. And integrating it into our systems would cost a fortune and require an engineering team.
Both assumptions were true in 2023. Things have changed after the launching of AI Agent tools like Claude Code, Codex and Gemini CLI.
Now, think about how your team uses AI today:
- Marketing drafts copy in a chat window
- Operations asks AI the spreadsheet formula and copies it manually
- Strategy teams copy the templates generated into Word
That's not transformation. That's manual work with an AI assistant.
Two approaches to building documentation
Last week, I needed to build business documentation for evaluating voice AI outputs: an evaluation framework, training prompts, complete decision trees, cross-referenced criteria, all MECE-compliant.
The usual ChatGPT flow: Copy spreadsheet → paste into chat → get text → copy to Word → repeat.
VS Code flow: Create folder → drop spreadsheet in → start prompt AI → finalize the outcome → AI creates 4 documents in the folder.
Midway through, I realized one of the key foundational criteria needed updating. This change affected multiple documents.
ChatGPT approach: Restart conversation, re-explain context. Get new text. Manually copy-paste into Document 1. Try to remember which parts of Documents 2, 3, 4 need updating. Update each section manually. Hope nothing was missed.
VS Code + AI Agent approach: I said "Principle #2 needs updating to XYZ." AI identifies all affected sections across files. AI shows me what will change and asks for confirmation. I review and approve. AI updates 8 sections across 4 documents simultaneously.
The difference: discussion → confirmation → execution vs. manual copy-paste guesswork.
Why it works
Controlled file system access: AI only accesses the specific project folder you choose. Create separate projects for different tasks: contexts never mix.
Version control: Every change is tracked and reversible. Full history of what has changed and when. Branch and experiment without breaking anything.
Direct editing capabilities: AI modifies files directly in place. Multi-file updates in seconds.
VS Code isn't as scary as you think
Here's what stopped me from trying VS Code for months:
- "It's for developers."
- "I don't code."
- "I'll break something."
Yes, the tool is designed for developers. But the goal isn't to become a VS Code power user. The goal is to maximize the advantages of AI agent to become more productive.
Also, learning with AI speeds up everything. Every confusion or question is just one question away. The AI extension in VS Code has access to everything in the environment: it sees what you see.
How to get started
- Install the AI extension in VS Code (tutorial can be found online).
- Understand the workflow shift: you're not chatting anymore. You're working in a project folder where AI directly reads and edits your files.
- Learn basic version control (Git). Every change is tracked and reversible.
- Learn basic VS Code navigation: understand folders, file explorer, and the interface. No coding required.
- Ask the AI ANY question in VS Code. They are the true copilot in this journey.
Originally published on LinkedIn. Want to discuss this further? Get in touch.
