Remote Pair Programming: VS Code, JetBrains, Zed (2026)

Contents#

• Which remote pair programming IDE should you use?
• VS Code Live Share for remote pair programming
  • Key Features of VS Code Live Share
  • How to Use Visual Studio Code Live Share
• JetBrains Code With Me during its sunset
  • Key Features of JetBrains Code With Me
  • How to Use JetBrains Code With Me
• Zed for built-in remote collaboration
  • Key Features of Zed Remote Pair Programming
  • How to Use Zed for Remote Pair Programming
• CodeTogether for mixed-IDE teams
  • Key Features of CodeTogether
  • How to Use CodeTogether
• Remote pair programming IDE comparison
  • Pick based on where your team works
• When whole-desktop control makes more sense

Which remote pair programming IDE should you use?#

Use VS Code Live Share if your team already works in VS Code or Visual Studio, but note that Microsoft has put it in maintenance mode. Use Zed if you want active, built-in collaboration with voice and screen sharing. CodeTogether is the cross-IDE option for teams split across VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, and Eclipse. JetBrains Code With Me still works on supported IDE versions, but its public service is scheduled to shut down in Q1 2027.

All four tools focus on sharing an editor or project. If your pairing session moves between the IDE, terminal, browser, database client, and other desktop apps, skip to when whole-desktop control makes more sense. You can also compare purpose-built pair programming tools.

VS Code Live Share for remote pair programming#

Visual Studio Live Share is a remote pair programming extension available for Visual Studio Code. It provides real-time collaborative coding, debugging, terminal sharing, and session management for distributed teams working within the VS Code environment.

Key Features of VS Code Live Share#

• Following and Focusing: Participants can follow each other’s editing locations, and the host can direct everyone’s attention to a specific part of the code using the “focus” feature.
• Co-debugging: Share debugging sessions so guests can observe or actively participate in troubleshooting.
• Shared Terminals: Hosts can share a terminal, allowing guests to view output and, with permission, execute commands.
• Integrated Chat: Communicate with collaborators using the built-in chat panel during your remote pair programming session.

How to Use Visual Studio Code Live Share#

1. Start a Live Share Session: The host initiates a session, and a notification appears in the bottom right corner of VS Code, indicating the sharing link has been copied.
2. Invite Collaborators: Share the invitation link. Collaborators can join via their web browser or directly in VS Code if installed.
3. Install the Extension: If not already installed, collaborators are prompted to add the Live Share extension.
4. Join and Approve: Collaborators request to join; the host approves access (read-only or read-write).
5. Begin Remote Pair Programming: Once approved, everyone can code together in real time.

Note: In our testing, the host may not always receive a clear notification of pending join requests. Make sure the host’s editor is open to see join notifications and avoid collaborators waiting without feedback.

Limitations#

Live Share shares the project, editor context, terminal, and debugging session, not the rest of the host's desktop. Microsoft lists voice calls as a current capability, but teams still need a separate screen-sharing tool to work through apps outside Visual Studio or VS Code. Live Share is also in maintenance mode, with no new features planned.

Summary#

Visual Studio Code Live Share makes it easy to start a remote pair programming session by simply sharing a link. It supports collaborative editing, debugging, terminal sharing, and following participants’ activity. However, hosts should be aware that join notifications can be subtle, and the extension does not share apps outside the editor.

JetBrains Code With Me during its sunset#

JetBrains Code With Me is a remote pair programming feature included in most JetBrains IDEs, such as IntelliJ, PyCharm, and WebStorm. It provides real-time collaborative coding, debugging, and communication capabilities for distributed teams working within the JetBrains ecosystem.

Update: JetBrains is sunsetting Code With Me. Version 2026.1 is the last officially supported IDE release. Security updates and public relays remain available through Q1 2027, when the service is scheduled to shut down.

Key Features of JetBrains Code With Me#

• Following and Pair Coding: Jump to another participant’s cursor, follow their activity, or start focused pair coding sessions.
• Run and Debug Together: Share your run and debug sessions so everyone can participate in troubleshooting and testing.
• Integrated Audio and Video Calls: Start audio or video calls.
• Screen Sharing: Share your screen or application windows with other participants for enhanced collaboration.

How to Use JetBrains Code With Me#

1. Start a Session: Click the “Code With Me” button in the top right corner of your JetBrains IDE.
2. Share the Invitation Link: Send the generated link to your collaborators.
3. Collaborator Joins: Collaborators open the link in their browser, which requires the JetBrains Toolbox App for access.
4. Request and Grant Access: Collaborators request to join, and the host approves their participation.
5. Begin Remote Pair Programming: Once approved, everyone can code, debug, and communicate together.

Limitations#

JetBrains has stopped new sales and renewals for Code With Me. Existing users can continue on supported IDE versions during the transition, but teams choosing a new long-term workflow should plan around the Q1 2027 shutdown.

Summary#

JetBrains Code With Me provides real-time remote pair programming directly within JetBrains IDEs, including collaborative editing, debugging, participant following, integrated audio/video calls, and screen sharing. Because the public service is scheduled to shut down in Q1 2027, it is a transition option for existing users rather than a new long-term choice.

Zed for built-in remote collaboration#

Zed is a code editor designed with built-in remote pair programming features. It enables real-time collaborative coding, voice chat, screen sharing, and project sharing without requiring any additional extensions.

Key Features of Zed Remote Pair Programming#

• Project Sharing: Share your open project with collaborators during a call. Collaborators can edit and save files.
• Following Participants: Click a participant’s avatar to follow their cursor, scroll position, or file navigation within a specific pane.
• Voice Chat: Built-in voice chat is enabled automatically for all participants.
• Screen Sharing: Share your screen with collaborators, who can view it in a dedicated tab in the editor.
• Channels for Group Collaboration: Join or create channels to enable group calls, multi-person sessions, and text chat.

How to Use Zed for Remote Pair Programming#

1. Add Collaborators: Add your collaborators as contacts using their GitHub usernames.
2. Start a Call: Once connected, see if your collaborators are online and initiate a call.
3. Share Project: When the call is accepted, your currently open project is shared with the collaborator.
4. Collaborate: Begin remote coding immediately. You can focus on another participant by clicking their user icon.
5. Screen Sharing: Click the screen button in the top right corner to share your screen. Other participants can view the shared screen in a separate tab.
6. Join Channels: Optionally, join a channel for group collaboration, where multiple participants can join the same call. In a channel, you can also use the built-in text chat for written communication.

Limitations#

Zed does not support terminal sharing. As Zed is a relatively new editor, there may be fewer team members already using it.

Summary#

Zed provides built-in support for remote pair programming, including project sharing, following, voice chat, screen sharing, and text chat in channels, all without the need for extensions. Collaboration is initiated by adding contacts and starting a call, with options for both one-on-one and group sessions.

CodeTogether for mixed-IDE teams#

CodeTogether brings the same pairing session to Visual Studio Code, JetBrains IDEs, and Eclipse. That makes it useful when a team cannot agree on one editor.

Key Features of CodeTogether#

• IDE Agnostic: Collaborate across different IDEs and editors.
• Terminal Sharing: Share your terminal with other participants.
• Browser Joining: Guests can join without installing a supported IDE.
• Following Participants: Make other participants follow your active view to keep everyone focused on the same context.

How to Use CodeTogether#

1. Install the Plugin: The host installs the CodeTogether plugin for their IDE.
2. Start a Session: The host starts a CodeTogether session and receives a shareable link.
3. Invite Collaborators: Share the invitation link with collaborators.
4. Join the Session: Collaborators can join via their web browser or by installing the CodeTogether plugin in their own IDE.
5. Collaborate: Once joined, participants can code together, share terminals, and follow or hand over the active cursor.

Limitations#

Current CodeTogether releases no longer support the audio, video, and screen sharing found in older versions. Teams need a separate call when they use those features.

Summary#

CodeTogether enables remote pair programming across a wide range of IDEs and editors, supporting real-time code collaboration, terminal sharing, and browser joining. Sessions are started by installing a plugin and sharing a link, making it accessible for teams using different development environments.

Remote pair programming IDE comparison#

Pick based on where your team works#

• VS Code Live Share is ideal for teams already using Visual Studio Code and who don't mind using another tool when they need to share apps outside the editor.
• JetBrains Code With Me remains available during its sunset period, but is no longer a good choice for new adoption.
• Zed is a good choice for teams looking for a modern, lightweight editor with built-in voice and screen sharing. It supports macOS, Windows, and Linux.
• CodeTogether works well for mixed-IDE teams, but it adds another plugin and session layer.

When whole-desktop control makes more sense#

IDE collaboration is the better choice when both people can stay inside the same editor. Hopp is for sessions that cross application boundaries: debugging in a browser, checking a database client, reviewing logs in a terminal, or walking through any other desktop app. It shares the whole desktop and lets participants use the remote keyboard and mouse.

Try hosted Hopp free for 14 days, then pay $15 per user each month, or self-host it for free. You can also read our full pair programming tools comparison.

If you think we missed a tool or feature, or if you have feedback, feel free to reach out on X/Twitter or email me at iason@gethopp.app.