File Editing Basics

Last updated on 2026-08-27 | Edit this page

Estimated time: 15 minutes

Overview

Questions

  • How do I create and edit files on the remote cluster?
  • What are VS Code’s core editing features?

Objectives

  • Create, open, edit, and save files on Sagehen HPC
  • Use syntax highlighting and code completion
  • Navigate files with Quick Open and Go to Line
  • Upload files from your local computer via drag-and-drop

The Remote File Browser

The Explorer sidebar displays your remote file system. Click arrows to expand folders. Hover over a file to see its full path and size.

Creating Files

Explorer sidebar: Right-click > New File, type the filename (including extension like script.py), press Enter.

Keyboard: Ctrl+Alt+N (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+N (Mac).

File menu: File > New File, then save with Ctrl+S and choose location.

Opening Files

  • Single-click a file in Explorer to preview it (shown in italics)
  • Double-click to open for editing
Callout

Pro Tip: Use Quick Open for Speed

Press Ctrl+P (or Cmd+P on Mac), start typing the filename, and VS Code shows matching files. This is the fastest way to navigate large projects.

Use Ctrl+G to jump to a specific line number.

Editing Features

  • Syntax highlighting: VS Code detects file type and colors code accordingly (Python, R, Markdown, C/C++, and many more)
  • Code completion (IntelliSense): Suggestions appear as you type. Press Ctrl+Space to trigger manually.
  • Line numbers: Click a line number to select the entire line

Saving Files

Action Windows/Linux Mac
Save Ctrl+S Cmd+S
Save All Ctrl+Shift+S Cmd+Shift+S
Auto Save File > Auto Save File > Auto Save

Files save to Sagehen, not your local machine.

Uploading Files from Your Computer

Callout

Drag-and-Drop Upload

Drag files from your local file explorer (Windows Explorer, Finder) into the VS Code Explorer sidebar. They upload directly to Sagehen in the currently open folder. Multiple files can be dragged at once.

Challenge

Challenge: Create and Edit a Python File

  1. Create a new file called hello_world.py

  2. Type this code:

    PYTHON 

    #!/usr/bin/env python3
"""My first Python script on Sagehen."""

name = input("What's your name? ")
print(f"Hello, {name}!")

  3. Save with Ctrl+S

  4. Verify syntax highlighting colors the code

The file tab shows hello_world.py without a dot (indicating saved). Python syntax highlighting colors #!/usr/bin/env python3 in one color, the docstring in another, and print as a built-in keyword. Verify the file exists on Sagehen by opening the terminal (Ctrl+`) and running ls -l hello_world.py.

If there is no syntax highlighting, the Python extension may not be installed yet (covered in the Extensions episode).

Key Points
  • Use the Explorer sidebar or Quick Open (Ctrl+P) to navigate remote files
  • Create files with right-click > New File or keyboard shortcuts
  • VS Code provides syntax highlighting and IntelliSense automatically
  • Save with Ctrl+S; files save to Sagehen, not your local machine
  • Drag files from your computer into the Explorer sidebar to upload them