Fix EACCES: permission denied, unlink '/usr/local/bin/code'
If you're using macOS and trying to run the shortcut command: code . to open the current folder in VS Code, but you get a permission error like this: EACCES: permission denied, unlink '/usr/local/bin/code' then you're not alone! This issue is quite common and happens because the /usr/local/bin/code file requires administrative privileges to modify or delete. How to Fix It To resolve this issue, follow these steps: Step 1: Remove the Existing code Binary Since the file is in /usr/local/bin/, you'll need admin permissions to remove it. Run the following command in your terminal: sudo rm -f /usr/local/bin/code Enter your password when prompted. Step 2: Reinstall the code Command Now, reopen VS Code, then follow these steps: Open the Command Palette (Cmd + Shift + P). Search for Shell Command: Install 'code' command in PATH. Click on it to reinstall the CLI command. Step 3: Verify To confirm it's working, try running: code --version If you see the version number of VS Code, then it's fixed!

If you're using macOS and trying to run the shortcut command:
code .
to open the current folder in VS Code, but you get a permission error like this:
EACCES: permission denied, unlink '/usr/local/bin/code'
then you're not alone! This issue is quite common and happens because the /usr/local/bin/code
file requires administrative privileges to modify or delete.
How to Fix It
To resolve this issue, follow these steps:
Step 1: Remove the Existing code
Binary
Since the file is in /usr/local/bin/
, you'll need admin permissions to remove it. Run the following command in your terminal:
sudo rm -f /usr/local/bin/code
Enter your password when prompted.
Step 2: Reinstall the code
Command
Now, reopen VS Code, then follow these steps:
- Open the Command Palette (
Cmd + Shift + P
). - Search for Shell Command: Install 'code' command in PATH.
- Click on it to reinstall the CLI command.
Step 3: Verify
To confirm it's working, try running:
code --version
If you see the version number of VS Code, then it's fixed!