VS Code Tunnel lets you connect to a remote machine through Visual Studio Code without configuring SSH. It is a remote development feature, not a general-purpose localhost sharing tool. A developer searching for vscode tunnel may want to code on a machine somewhere else, or they may want to show a local web app to a client. Those are different jobs.
VS Code Tunnel in plain terms
Microsoft’s Remote Tunnels docs describe two setup paths: run the code tunnel CLI command or turn on Remote Tunnel Access from the VS Code desktop UI. Both paths create tunnel access to a machine running VS Code Server.
The CLI can output a vscode.dev/tunnel/... URL. When you open that URL, you authenticate with a GitHub or Microsoft account. VS Code then connects you to the remote machine so you can edit files, run commands, debug, and use extensions in that remote environment.
This is powerful remote development. It is not the same as sending a client a URL for your local app.
What VS Code Tunnel is good for
Use VS Code Tunnel when you need your development environment from another machine.
Good fits include:
- Coding on a desktop machine from a laptop.
- Connecting to a VM without SSH setup.
- Working inside a remote Linux machine from a browser.
- Accessing a dev container or WSL environment through VS Code.
- Keeping code and toolchains on a remote host.
Microsoft’s Remote Development overview frames this category around containers, remote machines, and WSL as full-featured development environments. That means commands and extensions run on the remote OS, not only in your local editor.
What VS Code Tunnel is not for
VS Code Tunnel is not the fastest way to give a non-technical reviewer access to one web app.
The reviewer would need the right account context and would land in a development environment, not a clean product URL. The official docs also note that a server instance is designed for one user or client at a time. That makes sense for coding, but it does not match client review.
If the task is “open this local build in your browser and click through the checkout flow,” use a localhost tunnel or preview deployment instead.
VS Code Tunnel vs. ngrok
ngrok exposes services through public endpoints. VS Code Tunnel exposes access to a development machine through VS Code.
Use ngrok when a provider needs a callback URL, when you need request inspection, or when you want a broad tunnel platform. ngrok’s free tier has usage caps, assigned development domains, and a browser interstitial for free HTML traffic.
Use VS Code Tunnel when you want to code remotely. It handles the editor and server relationship, not a public app review page.
VS Code Tunnel vs. wiremaven
wiremaven creates temporary encrypted public links for local dev servers. Reviewers open a browser URL. The local machine reaches the wiremaven relay through an outbound-only WebSocket. Your IP is not exposed to reviewers.
Use wiremaven when:
- A client needs to review a local app.
- A designer wants to click through a running feature.
- QA needs to reproduce a bug against your local build.
- You want 15, 30, or 60 minute TTLs.
- You want live viewer, request, and failure signals.
- You do not want account setup during beta.
Start a review link:
npx wiremaven-cli 3000 --expires 30mRead docs for setup. Read how wiremaven works for the relay flow.
Security differences to understand
VS Code Tunnel requires authentication with the same GitHub or Microsoft account on each end. The docs state that VS Code makes outbound connections to a service hosted in Azure, does not require firewall changes in most cases, and does not set up network listeners. Once connected, an SSH connection runs over the tunnel for end-to-end encryption.
That security model protects a remote coding session. It also means the user who connects has a powerful interface into the machine.
For review links, the safer pattern is narrower. Give the reviewer one app URL, not an editor or machine session.
Decision table
| Job | Use |
|---|---|
| Code on a remote machine | VS Code Tunnel |
| Test webhooks against localhost | ngrok |
| Share a local app with a client | wiremaven |
| Run long release validation | Staging or preview deploy |
| Give employees network access | VPN or Zero Trust access |
For broader remote workflow choices, read remote development without a VPN and tunnel vs VPN.
FAQ
Is VS Code Tunnel the same as ngrok?
No. VS Code Tunnel connects a VS Code client to a remote development machine. ngrok exposes services through tunnel endpoints.
Can I use VS Code Tunnel to show a local website to a client?
It is the wrong fit. Use a browser review link through a localhost tunnel or preview deployment.
Does VS Code Tunnel require an account?
Yes. VS Code Remote Tunnels require GitHub or Microsoft account authentication for hosting and connecting.
What should I use instead for localhost review?
Use wiremaven for a temporary review URL:
npx wiremaven-cli 3000 --expires 30mRelated: Remote Development Without a VPN - Tunnel vs VPN