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VSCode via VNC Viewer#

This guide walks you through launching a VS Code session on the SSCS cluster using a VNC connection.

Prerequisites#

VNC Viewer installed and connected to the cluster login node.

If you have not yet set up VNC Viewer or connected to the login node, refer to the VNC Viewer Setup Guide before proceeding.

Steps#

Step 1: Connect to the Cluster via VNC#

Connect to CVPN (if off-campus) and open your VNC Viewer session to the cluster login node. Refer to the Accessing the Cluster and VNC Viewer Setup guides for detailed instructions.

Step 2: Launch VS Code from the Applications Menu#

Once connected via VNC, click on Applications in the top-left menu bar. Navigate to Job Launchers and select vscode from the list.

Applications Menu

Job Launchers Menu

Step 3: Select a Partition and Allocate Resources#

A MATE Terminal window will open and load the code-server module automatically. You will be prompted to configure your job resources:

  1. Select a partition — choose between cpu or l40s (GPU)

    GPU Node Access

    GPU nodes are allocated based on research use case. If your workflow requires GPU resources, contact the Cluster Support team at ssc-server-support@lists.uchicago.edu before submitting jobs to a GPU partition. The team will review your use case and configure the appropriate QoS options for your account.

    Partition and Resource Selection

  2. Select number of CPU cores and GiBs of RAM

    Resource Allocation

Step 4: Launch and Access VS Code#

Once resources are allocated, the terminal will display your Job Information along with a URL and a password to access VS Code.

Job Information and URL

To access VS Code:

  1. Ctrl+Click the URL displayed in the terminal, or copy and paste it into the Firefox browser inside your VNC session.

  2. If prompted with a security warning about a self-signed certificate, click Advanced and then Accept the Risk and Continue.

    Security Warning

  3. Enter the password displayed in the terminal when prompted.

    Password Prompt

  4. If asked whether to trust the authors of files in the folder, click Yes, I trust the authors.

    Trust Authors

Step 5: Keep the Terminal Open#

Keep the MATE Terminal window open for the duration of your VS Code session. Closing it or pressing Ctrl+C will terminate your job and end your session.

Ending Your Session#

When you are done working, return to the MATE Terminal and press Ctrl+C to cancel your job and release the allocated resources.