> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.mergeguide.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Install the IDE extension

> Install the MergeGuide extension for VS Code (and compatible editors) to see findings as you edit.

The MergeGuide IDE extension surfaces policy findings **as you edit**, so you can
fix issues before you ever commit. It is published on the Visual Studio
Marketplace under the identifier `MergeGuide.mergeguide-vscode` and works in VS
Code and compatible editors, including Cursor.

<Note>
  **Requires VS Code 1.95 or newer** (or a compatible build, such as a recent
  Cursor release).
</Note>

## Install from the Marketplace

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Extensions view">
    Press <kbd>Cmd</kbd>+<kbd>Shift</kbd>+<kbd>X</kbd> (macOS) or
    <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>Shift</kbd>+<kbd>X</kbd> (Windows/Linux).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Search for MergeGuide">
    Search for **MergeGuide** and install the extension published by **MergeGuide**
    (identifier `MergeGuide.mergeguide-vscode`).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Install from the command line

```bash theme={null}
code --install-extension MergeGuide.mergeguide-vscode
```

The extension identifier is `MergeGuide.mergeguide-vscode`.

## Connect it to your account

The extension uses your MergeGuide CLI authentication. If you haven't already,
install and authenticate the CLI:

```bash theme={null}
pip install mergeguide
mergeguide login
```

See [Install the CLI](/install/cli) for details. Once authenticated, reload the
editor window and the extension begins reporting findings inline as you work.

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Reading findings" icon="list-check" href="/operation/reading-findings">
    What a finding tells you and how to act on it.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Enforcement layers" icon="layer-group" href="/operation/enforcement-layers">
    How the IDE fits with hooks, the MCP server, and the PR gate.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>