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Developer 7 min read Published Updated Credibility 85/100

Toolchain briefing — Visual Studio Code 1.51 adds Apple silicon support

Visual Studio Code 1.51 introduced Apple silicon ARM64 builds through the Insiders channel, prompting teams to test native performance, validate extension compatibility, and prepare for universal installers across macOS fleets.

Zeph Tech Research Lead

Research lead, Zeph Tech

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What happened: Visual Studio Code 1.51 arrived on 10 November 2020 with the first publicly available Apple silicon-native builds through the Insiders channel, giving Mac developers a supported way to run the editor without Rosetta 2 translation and aligning with the initial M1 hardware release.

Microsoft used this release to validate the ARM64 toolchain across the renderer, extension host, and debugger subsystems while keeping the existing Intel build available. The company confirmed that universal packages would follow once telemetry and extension health checks stabilized, and encouraged teams to begin pilot deployments on Apple M1 hardware to benchmark startup, editor responsiveness, and extension compatibility.

Native support details

The Apple silicon images produced for VS Code 1.51 were compiled for ARM64 and distributed via the Insiders download channel alongside the traditional x64 build. The signed binaries remove the Rosetta 2 translation layer, giving the Electron-based editor direct access to the M1 efficiency cores, performance cores, and integrated GPU. According to Microsoft, the universal package plan was to merge ARM64 and x64 executables into a single download after Insiders telemetry confirmed stability and parity with the Intel build, ensuring organizations could maintain a single distribution path once the universal artifact was published.1

Feature completeness remained the same across architectures: IntelliSense, debugging, Git integration, and remote development extensions used the same APIs, but extension authors with native dependencies were asked to ship ARM64 builds or rely on Rosetta 2 until their packages were rebuilt. Microsoft’s announcement emphasized that the extension host isolates most extensions from architecture differences, yet components that bundle native Node.js modules—such as certain language servers, debuggers, or file system watchers—needed explicit ARM64 binaries for optimal performance.

Performance impacts and developer workflow gains

Running VS Code natively on Apple silicon removes the runtime translation overhead and reduces instruction emulation. Apple’s developer documentation notes that ARM64-native applications benefit from higher single-threaded efficiency, lower power draw, and improved GPU access compared to Rosetta 2–translated binaries when targeting M1 systems.2 In practical terms, early adopters reported faster cold starts, smoother terminal rendering, and reduced fan noise under sustained linting or test runs because the workload was no longer translating x86 instructions.

Because the VS Code renderer process is now native, UI interactions such as opening large workspaces, navigating file trees, or switching between editor tabs are noticeably snappier on M1 laptops, especially when combined with the integrated SSD performance. Native ARM64 builds also improve developer ergonomics on battery power: the editor can remain open with multiple terminals and live reload tasks while drawing less energy, extending battery life during travel or on-site testing.

Extension performance is more nuanced. Extensions written in TypeScript or JavaScript generally run unchanged, but those with native bindings for operations like file watching, compression, or debugging are sensitive to architecture. Teams that rely on native-heavy extensions should verify that ARM64 artifacts exist or temporarily allow Rosetta 2 for those specific packages until maintainers publish universal modules. Microsoft’s Insiders channel telemetry was explicitly intended to surface these gaps before a universal stable build shipped.

Upgrade steps for IT and developers

  • Download the correct channel: Use the VS Code 1.51 Insiders ARM64 build for Apple silicon testing and retain the x64 build for Intel Macs. The stable channel continued to ship x64-only binaries during this validation period.
  • Verify architecture post-install: On macOS, open Activity Monitor, add the Architecture column, and confirm the entry shows Apple instead of Intel or Translated Intel. This confirms the ARM64 build is running.
  • Audit extension set: Identify extensions that include native dependencies (for example, debugging adapters or file system tools) and confirm availability of ARM64 builds. If an extension lacks support, document the temporary Rosetta 2 requirement and track maintainer updates.
  • Pin Node.js tooling: Align project-level Node.js versions with ARM64 installers to avoid unnecessary translation when running build scripts, ESLint, or TypeScript compilers from the integrated terminal.
  • Collect performance baselines: Measure launch time, editor responsiveness, and test execution on both Rosetta 2 and native builds. Use these metrics to justify rollout and to set expectations for teams upgrading from Intel Macs.

For managed fleets, package distribution should differentiate Apple silicon and Intel binaries until Microsoft’s universal installer is available. Enterprise software catalogs can present a single listing with architecture-aware download logic, and mobile device management policies should ensure Rosetta 2 remains available during the transition for any legacy extensions.

Enterprise guardrails and testing notes

Enterprises should add architecture validation to their compliance and audit checklists. When onboarding an M1 Mac, validate that the VS Code binary, extension host processes, and any bundled language servers run under the Apple architecture. Document exceptions where Rosetta 2 is temporarily required, and plan follow-up reviews as extension authors deliver ARM64 builds.

Security teams should also revisit code signing and notarization policies. The Apple silicon build of VS Code remains signed and notarized by Microsoft, but third-party extensions that bundle native modules must likewise be notarized to avoid launch warnings. During testing, confirm that Gatekeeper and endpoint protection tools recognize both ARM64 and x64 binaries as trusted.

Network teams may need to adjust proxy and certificate configurations because 1.51 also improved proxy handling for extension marketplace calls. Verifying extension marketplace reachability from ARM64 endpoints prevents false positives when diagnosing extension installation issues.

Post-release monitoring and roadmap

Microsoft outlined a short runway from the 1.51 Insiders ARM64 build to a universal stable installer once reliability metrics matched the x64 release.1 Organizations piloting 1.51 should track Insiders release notes weekly, as telemetry-driven fixes to Electron, Chromium, and the extension host were expected before the universal package shipped. After upgrading, collect crash dumps and extension error logs to feed back to maintainers, helping close gaps before broader deployment.

Beyond the initial Apple silicon support, the 1.51 release cycle included editor and workbench improvements such as pinned tabs refinements, terminal link detection, and Git integration enhancements. These features are present across architectures and benefit teams standardizing on mixed Intel and Apple silicon fleets. Maintaining parity between architectures ensures developers can pair program, reproduce bugs, and share workspace settings without special-case documentation.

Sources

Release changes and platform scope

Visual Studio Code 1.51 shipped in November 2020 with the first Insider builds compiled for Apple Silicon. The official 1.51 release notes highlight performance improvements to the workbench, terminal, and extension host along with the new native arm64 macOS preview. Users on macOS 11 Big Sur could opt into the arm64 download to avoid Rosetta 2 translation overhead, while Intel macOS, Windows, and Linux builds continued as usual. The release also delivered refreshed Git decorations, refactoring shortcuts, and accessibility enhancements for screen readers.

Extension authors benefit from updated Electron (11.x in the early Apple Silicon builds) and Node.js runtimes bundled within VS Code, improving webview performance and security. The remote development extensions inherited these base runtime updates, which affects SSH and container-based workflows.

Migration and compatibility actions

Teams should validate critical extensions on the Apple Silicon Insider build because native Node.js add-ons may need arm64 recompilation. Extension packages shipping prebuilt binaries (language servers, debuggers) must include darwin-arm64 assets to avoid fallback to Rosetta. Confirm that custom VS Code policies or managed deployments distinguish between .dmg architectures so that auto-update channels serve the correct build.

Enterprises relying on Settings Sync and Remote SSH should retest authentication flows, as the updated Electron sandboxing and macOS notarization requirements can surface new prompts. If you distribute VS Code via MDM, ensure device compliance scripts handle the new application bundle identifier used by the arm64 Insider builds.

Security and operational considerations

The underlying Chromium/Electron updates pull in critical security patches; keep pace with the monthly servicing releases to stay aligned with CVE fixes documented in the Electron 11 release notes. Because extensions run in an embedded Node.js runtime, supply-chain controls such as signed VSIX packages and restricted marketplace scopes should be enabled on managed endpoints. Network egress controls may need updates to allow the Apple Silicon download endpoints used by the Insider build channel.

Operationally, monitor CPU and battery metrics on M1 hardware to compare Rosetta versus native builds; early adopters reported noticeable gains when running the arm64 binaries. Document rollback procedures to the stable x64 build in case critical extensions lack arm64 support, and maintain a test cadence aligned with Microsoft’s monthly update rhythm.

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