docs(remote): document using WSL over SSH #9203
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Documents the ability to connect to a WSL distribution over an existing SSH connection, introduced in VS Code 1.89. The content is added to the WSL Remote documentation and is based on existing release notes and behavior. Documentation-only change.
ntrogh
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Jan 4, 2026
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ntrogh
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ntrogh
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@DakotaB75 Please apply requested changes. In general, keep the updates concise and don't introduce unnecessary explanations and subsections.
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| Starting with VS Code 1.89, it is possible to connect to a WSL distribution over an existing SSH connection. | ||
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| This workflow is useful when you are already connected to a remote machine using **Remote - SSH** and want to work inside a WSL environment hosted on that machine. |
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Drop this line for conciseness
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| This workflow is useful when you are already connected to a remote machine using **Remote - SSH** and want to work inside a WSL environment hosted on that machine. | ||
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| #### Prerequisites |
| - Remote - SSH extension | ||
| - WSL installed and configured on the remote machine | ||
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| #### Connect to WSL over SSH |
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Remove this heading to keep everything under the main H3 heading
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| #### Connect to WSL over SSH | ||
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| 1. Connect to the remote machine using **Remote - SSH**. |
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| 1. Connect to the remote machine using **Remote - SSH**. | |
| 1. Connect to the remote machine using the [Remote - SSH extension](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ms-vscode-remote.remote-ssh). |
| #### Connect to WSL over SSH | ||
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| 1. Connect to the remote machine using **Remote - SSH**. | ||
| 2. Open the Command Palette (`kbstyle(F1)`) and run: |
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| 2. Open the Command Palette (`kbstyle(F1)`) and run: | |
| 2. Run the **WSL: Connect to WSL using Distro** command from the Command Palette (`kb(workbench.action.showCommands)`). |
| 1. Connect to the remote machine using **Remote - SSH**. | ||
| 2. Open the Command Palette (`kbstyle(F1)`) and run: | ||
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| **Remote-WSL: Connect to WSL using SSH** |
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| **Remote-WSL: Connect to WSL using SSH** |
| **Remote-WSL: Connect to WSL using SSH** | ||
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| 3. Select the target WSL distribution. | ||
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Alternatively, select the remote WSL in the Remote Explorer view.
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| VS Code will open a new window connected to the selected WSL environment over the existing SSH session. | ||
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| This setup combines **Remote - SSH** and **Remote - WSL**, enabling a seamless development experience with Linux tooling inside WSL while working on a remote host. |
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Documents the ability to connect to a WSL distribution over an existing SSH connection, introduced in VS Code 1.89.
The content is added to the WSL Remote documentation and is based on existing release notes and behavior.
Documentation-only change.
Fixes #7320