diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 0f071cb7a..6123dd4cf 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -64,9 +64,16 @@ requirements/private.txt
 # database file
 dev.db*
 
-.vscode
+# virtualenv
 venv/
 
+### Visual Studio Code ###
+# Generally ignore VS Code configuration, except... 
+.vscode/*
+# Example settings to let people quickly get up to speed with testing.
+!.vscode/launch.json.example
+!.vscode/settings.json.example
+
 # Media files (for uploads)
 media/
 
diff --git a/.vscode/launch.json.example b/.vscode/launch.json.example
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..bcb36d102
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.vscode/launch.json.example
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+{
+    // Use IntelliSense to learn about possible attributes.
+    // Hover to view descriptions of existing attributes.
+    // For more information, visit: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=830387
+    "version": "0.2.0",
+    "configurations": [
+        {
+            "name": "Python: Debug Tests",
+            "type": "debugpy",
+            "request": "launch",
+            "program": "${file}",
+            "purpose": ["debug-test"],
+            "console": "integratedTerminal",
+            "justMyCode": false,
+
+            // This is needed because pytest-cov is incompatible with using the
+            // debugger. See https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/python/testing#_pytest-configuration-settings
+            "env": {"PYTEST_ADDOPTS": "--no-cov"},
+
+            // Adds some magic for Django templates.
+            "django": true
+          }
+    ]
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/.vscode/settings.json.example b/.vscode/settings.json.example
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..04f8cb628
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.vscode/settings.json.example
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+{
+    "python.testing.unittestEnabled": false,
+    "python.testing.pytestEnabled": true,
+    "python.testing.pytestArgs": [
+        // We have to override this here instead of in pytest.ini because tutor
+        // sets the DJANGO_SETTINGS_MODULE env variable in our container to be
+        // the one for LMS or Studio, and that takes precedence over any value
+        // set in pytest.ini. The only thing that takes higher precedence than
+        // the env variable is the explicit command line parameter:
+        //
+        // https://pytest-django.readthedocs.io/en/stable/configuring_django.html#order-of-choosing-settings
+        "--ds=test_settings"
+    ],
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/README.rst b/README.rst
index 9d82684e4..b2be0c147 100644
--- a/README.rst
+++ b/README.rst
@@ -108,6 +108,15 @@ Every time you develop something in this repo
 
   # Open a PR and ask for review.
 
+Configuring Visual Studio Code
+------------------------------
+
+If you are using VS Code as your editor, you can enable the Testing bar by copying from the example configuration provided in the ``.vscode`` directory::
+
+    cd .vscode/
+    cp launch.json.example launch.json
+    cp settings.json.example settings.json
+
 License
 -------