<a id="cp-vscode-quick-start"></a>

# Confluent for VS Code Quick Start with Confluent Platform

This quick start connects the Confluent for VS Code extension to a
local Confluent Platform installation so you can browse Apache Kafka® topics, view schemas
in Schema Registry, and produce and consume messages directly from your editor in a few
minutes. To connect to other Kafka clusters, see
[Connect to a Kafka Cluster](vscode-connect-to-kafka.md#cp-vscode-connect-to-kafka).

## Prerequisites

- Confluent for VS Code: Follow the steps in [Installation](overview.md#vscode-installation)
- A local Confluent Platform installation:
  [Install Confluent Platform On-Premises](/platform/current/installation/overview.html)

## Start Confluent Platform and VS Code

1. Start Confluent Platform. For more information, see
   [Confluent Platform quick start](/platform/current/platform-quickstart.html).
2. Open VS Code.
3. In the VS Code Activity Bar, click the Confluent icon. If you have
   many extensions installed, you might need to click **…** to access
   **Additional Views** and select **Confluent** from the context menu.

## Create a connection to Confluent Platform

1. In the Side Bar, click **+ Add New Connection** in the **Resources** section.

   The extension shows the **Create a new connection** page.
2. Enter a name for the connection, and choose **Confluent Platform** as the
   **Connection Type**.
3. Enter the bootstrap server for Confluent Platform, and select the appropriate
   **Authentication Type**.

   Confluent for VS Code supports Basic (username and password) and API
   credential authentication.
4. Enter the URL for Schema Registry, if required, and select the appropriate
   **Authentication Type**.

   Confluent for VS Code supports Basic (username and password) and API
   credential authentication.

## Test and save your connection

1. Click **Test** to test the connection.
2. Click **Save** to save the connection. You can save the connection
   configuration even if the test wasn’t successful.
3. Confirm that the Side Bar shows your Confluent Platform resource.

## Related content

- [Connect to a Kafka Cluster](vscode-connect-to-kafka.md#cp-vscode-connect-to-kafka)