In current VS Code Desktop releases, you can preview a local HTML file without installing an extension: open the file, right-click it in Explorer (or its editor tab), and choose Open in Integrated Browser. You can also select the editor’s Show Preview button. The page renders inside VS Code and updates as you edit the HTML.
Use Microsoft’s Live Preview extension instead when you need a local development server, live reload across several pages, or behavior closer to a small website or app.
Preview a single HTML file with the built-in Integrated Browser
This is the quickest way to inspect a static file such as index.html. It does not require Live Server, Live Preview, or another extension in supported VS Code Desktop versions.
- Open VS Code Desktop and open the folder containing your HTML file (File > Open Folder).
- Open the HTML file in the editor, or locate it in the File Explorer.
- Right-click the file and select Open in Integrated Browser. If the file is already open, right-click its editor tab and choose the same command.
- Alternatively, with the HTML file active, select the Show Preview icon in the editor title bar.
- Edit and save the file. Microsoft documents the integrated preview updating as the HTML changes; if it does not, use the browser’s refresh control or reopen the preview.
The preview is useful for checking markup, CSS, images, and basic client-side behavior. Relative paths resolve from the file’s location, so keep assets in the expected folders (for example, css/site.css and images/logo.png).
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Other ways to open the integrated browser
- Open the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P on Windows/Linux or Cmd+Shift+P on macOS) and run Browser: Open Integrated Browser.
- Use View > Browser.
- Select the globe/browser button in the title bar when it is available.
When you select a localhost link from the terminal, chat, or another VS Code area, VS Code’s Integrated Browser is documented as the default destination in Desktop.
When Live Preview is the better choice
Install Microsoft’s Live Preview extension when your workflow needs a server rather than a file opened directly. The extension serves the project locally and provides live reload for static and dynamic pages.
Install and start Live Preview
- Open the Extensions view with Ctrl+Shift+X (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+X (macOS).
- Search for Live Preview and verify that Microsoft is the publisher.
- Select Install.
- Open your HTML file and select Show Preview, or use the command supplied by the extension.
- Continue editing. The extension’s server and live-reload workflow refresh the rendered page as files change.
Live Preview can use the Integrated Browser as its default by enabling the livePreview.useIntegratedBrowser setting. Open Settings, search for that setting, and turn it on; or edit settings.json:
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{
"livePreview.useIntegratedBrowser": true
}Choose the right option
| Option | Setup | What it does | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in Integrated Browser | Open the HTML file and choose Open in Integrated Browser or Show Preview | Renders a local file and updates it while you edit | Quick inspection of one HTML file |
| Microsoft Live Preview | Install the extension, then choose Show Preview | Runs a local development server with live reload for static and dynamic pages | A multi-page site or app that needs server behavior |
Open an HTML file in an external browser
If you need Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari’s own developer tools, use the operating system’s file association: right-click the file in your project folder and choose Open with, then select the browser. You can also copy the file’s absolute path and paste it into the browser’s address bar using a file:/// URL.
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Preview a site running on localhost
- Start the project’s development command in the VS Code integrated terminal, if it has one.
- Note the address and port, such as
http://localhost:3000. - Open the URL in the Integrated Browser using Browser: Open Integrated Browser, or select the localhost link in the terminal.
- If the page is blank, confirm that the process is still running and that the port in the URL matches the server output.
For a plain static folder, Live Preview is usually simpler than adding a separate command-line server. For frameworks or back ends, use the project’s documented development command so routing, environment variables, and asset processing are applied correctly.
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Desktop VS Code versus VS Code for the Web
The instructions above target VS Code Desktop. VS Code for the Web runs inside a browser and has no local terminal or debugger. It can run only a subset of extensions, so a workflow that depends on a local runtime, server process, or unsupported extension may require Desktop or a remote environment.
If an option is missing in your installation, check the version and edition. Microsoft’s release notes identify direct local HTML preview in VS Code 1.121; the Integrated Browser was described earlier as a preview feature in 1.109. Menu labels can change, so use the Command Palette search when a title-bar button is not visible.
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Common problems and fixes
“Open in Integrated Browser” is not shown
- Confirm that you are using VS Code Desktop rather than VS Code for the Web.
- Open an HTML file in the editor, then run Browser: Open Integrated Browser from the Command Palette.
- Update VS Code if you are on an older release; direct local HTML preview is documented in the 1.121 release notes.
The preview does not update
- Save the file and wait for the reload.
- Refresh the Integrated Browser.
- Close and reopen the preview if a stale document remains.
- If you are using Live Preview, verify that the extension is enabled and that the preview is connected to the correct workspace folder.
CSS, images, or scripts are missing
- Check relative paths and capitalization. A reference such as
css/site.cssmust match the actual folder and filename. - Open the browser developer tools and inspect the Console and Network panels for 404 errors.
- Make sure the file is inside the opened workspace or that your server exposes its directory.
JavaScript modules or fetch calls fail
Many browser security rules treat a file:/// page differently from an HTTP origin. Start Live Preview or your project’s development server and test through http://localhost instead.
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Routes work on the home page but not when refreshed
This usually indicates that a single-page application needs server fallback configuration. Use the framework’s development server or configure the local server to return the application entry file for unknown routes; a direct file preview cannot provide that behavior.
The page is blank or the server times out
- Look for an HTML syntax error or a script that throws before rendering.
- Confirm the server process has not exited and that the displayed port is correct.
- Try a minimal file containing only a heading to separate an editor problem from an application problem.
Performance, reliability, and safe preview habits
- Use the built-in preview for a fast single-file check; it has the least setup.
- Use a server-based preview when testing URL routing, modules, fetch, cookies, or dynamic responses.
- Keep the browser developer console open while debugging; it exposes parse errors and blocked requests that the rendered page may hide.
- Do not treat a local preview as production validation. Test responsive breakpoints, accessibility, authentication, caching, and server headers in an environment that matches deployment.
- Be careful with scripts from untrusted projects. A local page can execute JavaScript in the preview context, and project tasks or extensions may have additional access.
Or skip the browser setup: capture a clean screenshot with ScreenshotNeo
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One GET request is enough:
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import requests
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need Live Server or Live Preview just to view an HTML file?
No. In supported VS Code Desktop releases, the Integrated Browser opens a local HTML file directly. Install Live Preview when you specifically need a local server and live reload workflow.
Can I use the Integrated Browser for a production URL?
Yes. Run Browser: Open Integrated Browser and enter the URL, subject to your network, authentication, and security policies. For a local file, however, a server-based preview may be necessary for HTTP-only features.
Why is the preview different from my deployed site?
Local files may use different origins, headers, asset paths, environment variables, and server-side routing. Compare the deployed URL or a representative staging server when those details matter.
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Which VS Code edition supports the built-in HTML preview?
The documented workflow is for VS Code Desktop. VS Code for the Web has different terminal, debugger, and extension limitations; older Desktop releases may not expose the same commands.
Can Live Preview open its page in VS Code’s browser?
Yes. Enable the livePreview.useIntegratedBrowser setting, then start Live Preview.
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