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title Comparing Setup Methods
description Decision matrix, decision tree, and method comparison to help you choose the right HVE installation approach
sidebar_position 9
author Microsoft
ms.date 2026-08-04
ms.topic reference
keywords
installation
comparison
decision matrix
setup methods
estimated_reading_time 3

Use this page when you need a detailed side-by-side comparison of all available setup methods. For a quick recommendation, see the Install page.

Help You Choose

Answer these three questions to narrow down the best method for your environment:

  1. What's your development environment?

    • Local VS Code (no devcontainer)
    • Local devcontainer (Docker Desktop)
    • GitHub Codespaces
    • Both local and Codespaces

  2. Solo or team development?

    • Solo: just you, no version control of HVE Core needed
    • Team: multiple people, need reproducible setup

  3. Update preference?

    • Auto: always get latest HVE Core
    • Controlled: pin to specific version, update explicitly

Decision Matrix

Environment Team Updates Recommended Method
Any (simplest) Any Auto VS Code Extension ⭐
Local (no container) Solo Manual Peer Directory Clone
Local (no container) Team Controlled Submodule
Local devcontainer Solo Auto Git-Ignored Folder
Local devcontainer Team Controlled Submodule
Codespaces only Solo Auto GitHub Codespaces
Codespaces only Team Controlled Submodule
Both local + Codespaces Any Any Multi-Root Workspace
Advanced (shared install) Solo Auto Mounted Directory
Any (CLI preferred) Any Manual CLI Plugins

Quick Decision Tree

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                                                                 │
│  Want the simplest setup?                                       │
│  └─ Yes ──────────────────────────────► VS Code Extension ⭐   │
│                                                                 │
│  Need to customize HVE Core?                                    │
│  ├─ Local VS Code only ──────────────► Peer Directory Clone    │
│  ├─ Local devcontainer only ─────────► Git-Ignored Folder      │
│  ├─ Codespaces only ─────────────────► GitHub Codespaces       │
│  └─ Both local + Codespaces ─────────► Multi-Root Workspace    │
│                                                                 │
│  Working in a team?                                             │
│  └─ Yes, need version control ───────► Submodule               │
│                                                                 │
│  Prefer terminal/CLI workflows?                                 │
│  └─ Yes ──────────────────────────────► CLI Plugins            │
│                                                                 │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Installation Methods by Category

Simplest Method (Recommended for Most Users)

Method Best For Complexity
VS Code Extension ⭐ Anyone wanting zero-config setup Minimal

Consumer Methods (Customization + Version Control)

These methods are for projects that want to use and potentially customize HVE Core components:

Method Best For Complexity
Multi-Root Workspace Any environment, portable Low
Submodule Teams needing version control Medium

Developer Methods

These methods are for HVE Core contributors or advanced scenarios:

Method Best For Complexity
Peer Directory Clone Local VS Code, solo Low
Git-Ignored Folder Local devcontainer, solo Low
Mounted Directory Advanced devcontainer sharing High
GitHub Codespaces Codespaces-only projects Medium
CLI Plugins Terminal-based CLI workflows Low

Still Not Sure?

Start with the Managed Installation for the fastest path. If you outgrow it later, any clone-based method can be adopted alongside or instead of the extension.

For detailed documentation on each method, see the Setup Methods Overview.

🤖 Crafted with precision by ✨Copilot following brilliant human instruction, then carefully refined by our team of discerning human reviewers.