From 40648d3ebf0b4723958691bf898654928f49a7d1 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "copilot-swe-agent[bot]" <198982749+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Fri, 1 May 2026 03:53:50 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 1/3] Initial plan


From 235acaa65160eb455724bc5056d3dd2f4aa3dccb Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "copilot-swe-agent[bot]" <198982749+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Fri, 1 May 2026 03:54:24 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 2/3] Add virtual environment setup instructions to
 CONTRIBUTING.md

Agent-Logs-Url: https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-python-environments/sessions/a465943f-8dad-4e4e-bd6e-cc3c54658a79

Co-authored-by: edvilme <5952839+edvilme@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 CONTRIBUTING.md | 21 ++++++++++++++++++++-
 1 file changed, 20 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 343bc6f0..2875110f 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -17,7 +17,26 @@ Thank you for your interest in contributing to the Python Environments extension
    cd vscode-python-environments
    ```
 
-2. **Create a Python virtual environment** 
+2. **Create a Python virtual environment**
+
+   A Python virtual environment is important for development because it isolates the Python dependencies used for testing and development from your system Python installation. This ensures reproducible builds and prevents conflicts with other projects.
+
+   ```bash
+   # Create the virtual environment
+   python -m venv .venv
+
+   # Activate it (Linux/macOS)
+   source .venv/bin/activate
+
+   # Activate it (Windows - Command Prompt)
+   .venv\Scripts\activate.bat
+
+   # Activate it (Windows - PowerShell)
+   .venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
+   ```
+
+   > **Note:** Keep the virtual environment activated while developing. The extension uses this environment for running Python-related tests and for environment discovery during development.
+
 
 3. **Install dependencies**
    ```bash

From 4dcb9fce29cab22ab2b19fc6d3f24d8ab697aeaa Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "copilot-swe-agent[bot]" <198982749+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Fri, 1 May 2026 16:57:31 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 3/3] Add Python Environments extension create environment
 command as recommended approach

Agent-Logs-Url: https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-python-environments/sessions/02d9c025-0c71-42d2-a4ed-513a8c4e0023

Co-authored-by: eleanorjboyd <26030610+eleanorjboyd@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 CONTRIBUTING.md | 10 ++++++++++
 1 file changed, 10 insertions(+)

diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 2875110f..042243b9 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -21,6 +21,16 @@ Thank you for your interest in contributing to the Python Environments extension
 
    A Python virtual environment is important for development because it isolates the Python dependencies used for testing and development from your system Python installation. This ensures reproducible builds and prevents conflicts with other projects.
 
+   **Using the Python Environments extension (recommended):**
+
+   1. Open the Command Palette (`Ctrl+Shift+P` / `Cmd+Shift+P`)
+   2. Run **Python: Create Environment**
+   3. Select **Venv** as the environment type
+   4. Choose your preferred Python interpreter
+   5. The extension will create the `.venv` folder and configure your workspace automatically
+
+   **Alternatively, from the command line:**
+
    ```bash
    # Create the virtual environment
    python -m venv .venv