This guide covers Python OpenCV in VS Code. For C++ IntelliSense with OpenCV see the C++ extension configuration section below.

Python setup

OpenCV Python in VS Code

1
Install the Python extension
Open VS Code → Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X) → search Python → install the Microsoft Python extension.
2
Select the correct Python interpreter
Press Ctrl+Shift+P → type Python: Select Interpreter → choose the Python where OpenCV is installed. You should see opencv-python in the list if it is installed there.
3
Install OpenCV in that environment

VS Code Terminal (Ctrl+`)
C:\> pip install opencv-python
# Or use the venv from the workspace:
C:\> python -m venv .venv
C:\> .venv\Scripts\activate
(.venv) C:\> pip install opencv-python
4
Verify IntelliSense works
Create a new file test.py, type import cv2 then cv2. — you should see autocomplete suggestions. If not, reload VS Code window: Ctrl+Shift+P → Developer: Reload Window.

C++ setup

OpenCV C++ IntelliSense in VS Code

For C++ projects, configure the c_cpp_properties.json file to point at the OpenCV include directory:

.vscode/c_cpp_properties.json

{

"configurations": [{

"name": "Win32",

"includePath": [

"${workspaceFolder}/**",

"C:/opencv/build/include",

"C:/opencv/build/include/opencv2"

"compilerPath": "C:/Program Files/Microsoft Visual Studio/2022/Community/VC/Tools/MSVC/14.39.33519/bin/Hostx64/x64/cl.exe",

"intelliSenseMode": "windows-msvc-x64"

}],

"version": 4

}

Build task

Build and run C++ from VS Code

.vscode/tasks.json

{

"tasks": [{

"type": "cppbuild",

"label": "Build OpenCV C++",

"command": "cl.exe",

"args": [

"/I", "C:/opencv/build/include",

"${file}",

"/link", "C:/opencv/build/x64/vc16/lib/opencv_world4120.lib",

"/LIBPATH:C:/opencv/build/x64/vc16/lib"

]

}]

}

FAQ

VS Code questions

import cv2 works in terminal but fails in VS Code

VS Code is using a different Python interpreter than your terminal. Press Ctrl+Shift+P → "Python: Select Interpreter" and choose the Python where OpenCV is installed. Check the interpreter shown in the bottom status bar.

cv2 shows as unresolved import in VS Code

This is a type-stub issue, not a runtime error. Install the stubs: pip install opencv-stubs. VS Code Pylance will use these for autocomplete. Alternatively select the correct interpreter and the issue usually resolves itself.

C++ IntelliSense shows errors but code compiles fine

The c_cpp_properties.json include path is not set. Make sure the OpenCV include directory is in includePath. Also check intelliSenseMode is windows-msvc-x64 for Visual Studio compiler.

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