# Getting Started with Amazon CodeCatalyst and the Amazon Toolkit for Visual Studio with Amazon Q
<a name="codecatalyst-setup"></a>

To get started working with Amazon CodeCatalyst from the Amazon Toolkit for Visual Studio with Amazon Q, complete the following.

**Topics**
+ [Installing the Amazon Toolkit for Visual Studio with Amazon Q](#codecatalyst-setup-jbgateway)
+ [Creating a CodeCatalyst account and Amazon Builder ID](#codecatalyst-setup-id)
+ [Connecting Amazon Toolkit for Visual Studio with Amazon Q with CodeCatalyst](#codecatalyst-setup-connect)

## Installing the Amazon Toolkit for Visual Studio with Amazon Q
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Before you integrate the Amazon Toolkit for Visual Studio with Amazon Q with your CodeCatalyst accounts, make sure that you're using a current version of Amazon Toolkit for Visual Studio with Amazon Q. For details on how to install and set up the latest version of Amazon Toolkit for Visual Studio with Amazon Q, see the [Setting up the Amazon Toolkit for Visual Studio with Amazon Q](https://docs.amazonaws.cn/toolkit-for-visual-studio/latest/user-guide/getting-set-up.html) section of this User Guide.

## Creating a CodeCatalyst account and Amazon Builder ID
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In addition to installing the latest version of the Amazon Toolkit for Visual Studio with Amazon Q, you must have an active Amazon Builder ID and CodeCatalyst account to connect with Amazon Toolkit for Visual Studio with Amazon Q. If you don't have an active Amazon Builder ID or CodeCatalyst account, see the [Setting up with CodeCatalyst](https://docs.amazonaws.cn/codecatalyst/latest/userguide/setting-up-topnode.html) section in the *CodeCatalyst* User Guide.

**Note**  
An Amazon Builder ID is different from your Amazon Credentials. For instructions on how to sign up and authenticate with an Amazon Builder ID, see the [Authentication and access: Amazon Builder ID](https://docs.amazonaws.cn/toolkit-for-visual-studio/latest/user-guide/builder-id.html) topic in this User Guide.  
For detailed information about Amazon Builder IDs, see the [Amazon Builder ID](https://docs.amazonaws.cn/general/latest/gr/aws_builder_id.html) topic in the *Amazon General Reference* User Guide. 

## Connecting Amazon Toolkit for Visual Studio with Amazon Q with CodeCatalyst
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To connect Amazon Toolkit for Visual Studio with Amazon Q with your CodeCatalyst account, complete the following steps.

1. From the **Git** menu item in Visual Studio, choose **Clone Repository...**.

1. From the **Browse a Repository** section, select **Amazon CodeCatalyst** as the provider.

1. From the **Connection** section, choose **Connect with Amazon Builder ID** to open the CodeCatalyst console in your preferred web browser.

1. From your browser, enter your Amazon Builder ID into the provided field and follow the instructions to continue.

1. When prompted, choose **Allow** to confirm the connection between Amazon Toolkit for Visual Studio with Amazon Q and your CodeCatalyst account. When the connection process is complete, CodeCatalyst displays a confirmation indicating that it's safe to close your browser.