# Visual Studio extension

<span class="label label-doc-level">Beginner</span>

The **Stride Visual Studio extension** adds syntax highlighting, live code validation, error checking, and navigation. It also lets you you [edit shaders directly from Visual Studio](../graphics/effects-and-shaders/custom-shaders.md).

You don't need to install the extension to use Stride, but we recommend it, especially for programmers.

## Install the Stride Visual Studio Extension

When you [install Stride](install-stride.md), Stride asks if you want to install the Visual Studio extension.

![Install extension](media/install-VS-plug-in-prompt.png)

Alternatively, you can install or reinstall the extension at any time in the Stride Launcher under **Plug-in**.

![Reinstall extension](media/reinstall-extension.png)

## See also

* [Custom shaders](../graphics/effects-and-shaders/custom-shaders.md)