---
title: VS Code Remote Tunnels
url: https://calvin.my/posts/vs-code-remote-tunnels
published: 2024-06-25
updated: 2026-09-17
category: Development
tags:
- VS Code
- Ide
- Productivity
summary: Visual Studio Code Remote Tunnels lets developers use a remote machine’s environment from a local VS Code installation, reducing the need to configure dependencies, transfer code, or use SSH. The post demonstrates connecting a Windows computer to a MacBook by installing the extension, signing in with a GitHub account, authorizing access, and selecting the remote machine. Development tools, paths, and terminal sessions then run on the remote system, with logout used for cleanup.
---

# VS Code Remote Tunnels

Visual Studio Code [Remote Tunnels](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/remote/tunnels) allows developers to connect to a remote machine to build applications.

Everything runs in your remote machine, you don't need to set up development dependencies, whitelist access, checkout codes, run SSH, etc.

All you need to a local machine that runs VS Code with the same Github/Microsoft account.
* * *
## Demo
Here's a demo using a Windows PC as the local machine, and a Macbook as the remote machine.

1. First set up the Remote Tunnels Extension on both machines.

   ![](https://camy-pub.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/f1b0b9bb-c8de-4f41-93ee-0da00b3e5dcd.png)

2. log in to Github, and enable the remote tunnel access

   ![](https://camy-pub.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/4925e53f-b0d7-4cdb-9562-99f3d7a5721d.png)

3. At this point, you should be able to see the remote machine but appears offline.

   ![](https://camy-pub.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/26dabdda-1bb9-45ff-8f16-a2e7ba9a572d.png)

4. Click connect to establish the connection. When you do this for the first time, it might take a while to complete. You will also be redirected to Github to authorize remote access.

   ![](https://camy-pub.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/b6c1a022-fb32-4e20-970c-541c0825c994.png)

5. Once the process is completed, now you will see an active remote machine.

   ![](https://camy-pub.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/70177453-97da-44e2-b771-458611d1e00c.png)

6. Now you can start coding!

   You will notice it is as if you are using your remote machine. For example, the application path is a Mac path, the terminal is running on Mac as well.

   ![](https://camy-pub.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/714f3576-8fc9-4b7b-ba76-4b5ea82515e7.png)

   Have fun. :)

7. To clean up, just log out from your GitHub account. You don't leave behind any codes, any credentials, or any env files.