Simulation Instruments

Develop

Write your first instrument.

You write in VS Code, a free editor (not Visual Studio). Studio runs your instrument. Sim pilots who only fly panels don’t need this step.

  1. Install VS Code.Free from code.visualstudio.com. During setup, leave Add to PATH checked so Studio can find it.
  2. Open your instrument from Studio.Use Load in VS Code or Debug in VS Code. Studio looks for the code command (PATH and the usual VS Code install folders — not Cursor).
  3. Let Studio install the Lua extension when asked.The Windows Studio installer bundles the Simulation Instruments Lua extension (.vsix next to SIS.exe under vscode\). It does not auto-install into the editor. The first time you Load/Debug, Studio can prompt and install or update zimfusion.sis-lua from that bundled file (and can offer the Lua helper extension sumneko.lua if it’s missing).
  4. If Studio says “VS Code not found.”Install VS Code from the link above, turn on Add to PATH, then try Load/Debug again. Studio does not open the browser for you.
  5. Write Lua, check with Demo Flight, then fly on a panel.The extension suggests instrument APIs as you type. Drop the instrument on a panel in Studio when you’re ready.

You can also install the bundled .vsix by hand in VS Code (Extensions → Install from VSIX…). Marketplace install of the same extension is fine when available; Studio’s Load/Debug path uses the copy that shipped with Studio so versions stay matched.