Transferring Files with Visual Studio Code (VS Code)

Overview 

This page explains how to transfer files to and from your UO Pages account using Visual Studio (VS) Code, using Windows. 

About VS Code 

VS Code, is a multi-use development environment created by Microsoft. The program functions across a variety of operating systems, such as Windows, macOS, and Linux.

See Visual Studio Code homepage for the most up-to-date information on the program.

About UO Pages 

See Web hosting on UO Pages to learn more.

Setup Instructions 

1. Download and open the Visual Studio Code application.  
2. If you’re using a WSL configuration on your computer, (Windows Subsystem for Linux), make sure you are first connected to the WSL on Visual Studio Code before you attempt to connect to the UO file server. Otherwise, skip to Step 3. This can be done by going to the search bar and typing >WSL:Connect to WSL. You’ll also need the WSL extension by Microsoft. 
3. Select the Extensions Button on the left-hand sidebar. The tab is indicated by a building blocks icon. 
4. In the search bar at the top of the Extensions tab, labeled Search Extensions in Market, search for and install Remote - SSH, Remote - SSH: Editing Configuration Files, and Remote Explorer. 
5. Restart VS Code to load the extensions.
6. Go to the search bar and type >Remote SSH: Connect Current Window to Host. 
7. Select Add New SSH Host from the drop-down menu. 
8. Use your Duck ID for the user in the command.
   1. Example: ssh connor@shell.uoregon.edu.
   2. If you haven’t set up your shell yet, see How do I enable Shell access? for the first steps. 
9. Select the location where you’d like to store the configuration file. For most users, that will be in C:\Users\DuckID\.ssh\config.  
10. You should see a pop up at the bottom that says, Config added!. On the pop up, click the button that says Open Config.
11. The file that opens is where the list of login credentials is stored for the server. Your newest entry should look something like this:

Host shell.uoregon.edu

HostName shell.uoregon.edu 

User connor 

12. On a new line underneath the User, add the following: MACs hmac-sha2-512 
13. Save the file and return to the home page.

Connecting to Shell 

1. In the search bar at the top, type >Remote-SSH: Connect Current Window to Host.
2. In the drop-down, select shell.uoregon.edu.  
3. Select Linux from the drop-down menu prompt.
4. You will be asked to verify the fingerprint of the server to confirm its authenticity. Please make sure the fingerprint matches one of the entries located on the table in this article. It should look something like this: 

ED25519 SHA256: UBijoGIcPKuOekOmwkFvVPIwdUZjnZGdqpcqo6CSmiY 

5. VS Code will open a terminal at the bottom of the window and prompt you to enter your Duck ID password during the connection process. This may also occur in the search bar. 
6. You are now connected to your pages.uoregon.edu folder. This will enable you to set up your server, as well as modify and create any documents you’d like to be public. To access the files viewable through the web, select Open Folder and click on public_html. You may need to enter your password a second time to open the file. 
7. All edits made in the remote shell will be quickly reflected on the web, at pages.uoregon.edu/DuckID.

Troubleshooting

I can’t connect to shell.uoregon.edu. 

• You need to request access manually through Duck ID Account management at duckid.uoregon.edu. See How Do I Enable Shell Access? for corresponding steps. 

I have shell access, but the server refuses to connect. 

• Please ensure that you have the MAC method specified in the SSH config file. 

The fingerprint given doesn’t match any on the allow list. 

Only connect to the server if the fingerprint matches.

• A mismatched fingerprint can indicate a misconfiguration or a typo in the server.
• Check the configuration file to see if something malfunctioned during the adding process.
• Verified fingerprints are available here. 

Further Reading

• Remote Development using SSH 
• Article - How do I enable Shell access? 
• Article - How to Login to Shell 
• Article - Getting Started with Shell 
• Knowledge Base - UO Pages 

Need help?

If you still have questions, refer to General IT help.