diff --git a/tests/manual/applications/IDEs/vsCodium.md b/tests/manual/applications/IDEs/vsCodium.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..45cc0183c91
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/manual/applications/IDEs/vsCodium.md
@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+# VSCodium Smoke Testing Plan
+
+## Objective
+
+To ensure NVDA functions correctly with VS Code or other VSCodium derivatives across typical user workflows.
+This plan focuses on basic navigation, file operations, editor accessibility, and common development tasks.
+VSCodium is based on Electron and as such smoke testing can reveal issues with the framework.
+
+## Areas Covered
+
+* Application launch and window navigation
+* File operations (open, save, close)
+* Editor accessibility
+* Command palette and search
+* Extensions
+* Terminal
+
+## Application Launch and Window Navigation
+
+### Steps
+
+1. Launch VSCodium
+1. Verify NVDA announces the VSCodium window title
+1. Use `control+shift+p` to open the command palette
+1. Use `f1` to open the command palette (alternative)
+1. Use `control+b` to toggle the sidebar
+1. Use `control+shift+f` to focus the Search panel
+1. Use `f6` to navigate between sections of the window
+
+### Expected Results
+
+* NVDA announces window title and major UI regions
+* Navigation between panels and tabs is clear and consistent
+
+## File Operations
+
+### Steps
+
+1. Use `control+n` to create a new file
+1. Use `control+s` to save, enter a filename, and confirm
+1. Use `control+o` to open an existing file
+1. Use `control+w` to close the current file
+1. Use `control+shift+t` to reopen a closed file
+1. Use `control+n` to create another new file
+1. Use `control+tab` to switch between open files/tabs
+1. Use `control+shift+e` to focus the File Explorer
+
+### Expected Results
+
+* NVDA announces file dialogs and file actions
+* File operations are accessible and confirmed by speech
+
+## Editor Operations
+
+### Steps
+
+1. Type and navigate text in the editor using arrow keys
+1. Use `control+home` and `control+end` to jump to start/end of file
+1. Use `control+f` to open the find bar and search for text
+1. Use `control+h` to open the replace bar
+1. Use `control+z` and `control+y` to undo/redo
+1. Use `control+shift+\` to jump to matching bracket
+1. Use `alt+upArrow` and `alt+downArrow` to move lines up/down
+
+### Expected Results
+
+* NVDA announces text and search results
+* Editing and navigation are accessible
+
+## Command Palette
+
+### Steps
+
+1. Use `control+shift+p` or `f1` to open the command palette
+1. Type to search for commands (e.g., "toggle word wrap")
+1. Use arrow keys to navigate results
+1. Press `enter` to execute a command
+
+### Expected Results
+
+* NVDA announces command palette, search results, and command execution
+* All command palette features are accessible
+
+## Search Panel
+
+### Steps
+
+1. Use `control+shift+f` to open the search panel
+1. Fill out each field (find, replace, include, exclude)
+1. Review results with `f4`
+
+### Expected Results
+
+* NVDA announces search results and search fields
+
+## Extensions
+
+### Steps
+
+1. Use `control+shift+x` to open the Extensions panel
+1. Use arrow keys to navigate available extensions
+1. Use the search panel to search for extensions
+1. Use `tab` to move between extension details and actions
+1. Use `enter` to install or enable an extension
+
+### Expected Results
+
+* NVDA announces extension names, details, and actions
+* Installing and managing extensions is accessible
+
+## Terminal
+
+### Steps
+
+1. Use ``control+` `` to open the integrated terminal
+1. Type commands e.g. `ls`
+1. Review output with accessible view using `alt+f2`
+1. Use ``control+shift+` `` to create a new terminal
+1. Use `control+pageUp/pageDown` to switch between terminals
+
+### Expected Results
+
+* NVDA announces terminal focus and output
+* Terminal operations are accessible
diff --git a/tests/system/libraries/VSCodeLib.py b/tests/system/libraries/VSCodeLib.py
index 7a421998a15..8f18c927d12 100644
--- a/tests/system/libraries/VSCodeLib.py
+++ b/tests/system/libraries/VSCodeLib.py
@@ -55,13 +55,24 @@ def _findCodeLauncher() -> str:
 				return f'"{resolved}"'
 		raise AssertionError("Visual Studio Code launcher not found. Is it installed?")
 
-	def start_vscode(self) -> _Window:
+	def start_vscode(self, targetPath: str | None = None) -> _Window:
+		"""Start Visual Studio Code.
+
+		:param targetPath: The path to the folder or file to open, defaults to a temporary directory.
+		:return: The window object for the started Visual Studio Code instance
+		"""
 		launcher = self._findCodeLauncher()
 		if VSCodeLib._testTempDir is None:
 			VSCodeLib._testTempDir = _tempfile.mkdtemp(prefix="nvdatest")
 		userDataDir = _os.path.join(VSCodeLib._testTempDir, "vscodeUserData")
 		_os.makedirs(userDataDir, exist_ok=True)
 
+		if targetPath is None:
+			targetPath = _os.path.join(VSCodeLib._testTempDir, "testDirectory")
+
+		if not _os.path.exists(targetPath):
+			_os.makedirs(targetPath, exist_ok=True)
+
 		# Prepare user settings to suppress welcome/startup screen
 		userSettingsDir = _os.path.join(userDataDir, "User")
 		_os.makedirs(userSettingsDir, exist_ok=True)
@@ -97,6 +108,7 @@ def start_vscode(self) -> _Window:
 			f"--skip-add-to-recently-opened "
 			f"-n "
 			f"--wait"
+			f' "{targetPath}"'
 		)
 		_builtIn.log(f"Starting Visual Studio Code: {cmd}", level="DEBUG")
 		VSCodeLib._processRFHandleForStart = _process.start_process(
diff --git a/tests/system/robot/vscodeTests.py b/tests/system/robot/vscodeTests.py
index c9ef1153b74..4dc915797f4 100644
--- a/tests/system/robot/vscodeTests.py
+++ b/tests/system/robot/vscodeTests.py
@@ -1,19 +1,205 @@
 # A part of NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA)
-# Copyright (C) 2025 Bill Dengler
-# This file is covered by the GNU General Public License.
-# See the file COPYING for more details.
-
+# Copyright (C) 2025 NV Access Limited, Bill Dengler
+# This file may be used under the terms of the GNU General Public License, version 2 or later, as modified by the NVDA license.
+# For full terms and any additional permissions, see the NVDA license file: https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/master/copying.txt
 
 from robot.libraries.BuiltIn import BuiltIn
 from SystemTestSpy import _getLib
 import NvdaLib as _NvdaLib
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+	from VSCodeLib import VSCodeLib
 
 _builtIn: BuiltIn = BuiltIn()
-_vscode = _getLib("VSCodeLib")
+_vscode: "VSCodeLib" = _getLib("VSCodeLib")
+
+_UNTITLED_FILE_FORMAT = "Untitled-{number}"
 
 
-def vs_code_status_line_is_available():
-	"""Start Visual Studio Code and ensure NVDA+end does not report "no status line found"."""
+def status_line_is_available():
+	"""Ensure NVDA+end does not report "no status line found"."""
 	_vscode.start_vscode()
 	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("NVDA+end")
 	_builtIn.should_not_contain(speech, "no status line found")
+
+
+def sidebar_toggle_announced():
+	"""Ensure control+b announces sidebar shown/hidden."""
+	_vscode.start_vscode()
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("control+b")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "Side Bar hidden")
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("control+b")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "Side Bar shown")
+
+
+def command_palette():
+	"""Ensure the command palette is announced when activated and can be navigated."""
+	_vscode.start_vscode()
+	spy = _NvdaLib.getSpyLib()
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("control+shift+p")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "Type the name of a command")
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("escape")
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("f1")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "Type the name of a command")
+	newFileActionName = "Create: New File"
+	for c in newFileActionName:
+		spy.emulateKeyPress(c)
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("downArrow")
+	_builtIn.should_not_contain(speech, newFileActionName)
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("upArrow")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, newFileActionName)
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("enter")
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("enter")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, _UNTITLED_FILE_FORMAT.format(number=1))
+
+
+def file_navigation():
+	"""Ensure file navigation works correctly."""
+	_vscode.start_vscode()
+	spy = _NvdaLib.getSpyLib()
+	# create 2 new files
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("control+n")
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("enter")
+	# Create second file
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("control+n")
+	# Save second file
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("control+s")
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("alt+s")
+	# Close second file
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("control+w")
+	# Save first file
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("control+s")
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("alt+s")
+	# Go to file explorer
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("control+shift+e")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "Files Explorer")
+
+
+def search_panel():
+	"""Ensure the search panel is announced when activated and can be navigated."""
+	_vscode.start_vscode()
+	spy = _NvdaLib.getSpyLib()
+	# Create file and text
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("control+n")
+	for c in "hello world":
+		spy.emulateKeyPress(c)
+	# Open search panel
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("control+shift+f")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "Search")
+	# Type search query
+	for c in "hello":
+		spy.emulateKeyPress(c)
+	# Confirm search
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("enter")
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("enter")
+	# TODO: report grammar issue to codium
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "1 results in 1 files")
+	# Navigate search results
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("f4")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "hello world")
+
+
+def file_editor_operations():
+	"""Ensure file editor operations such as navigation, undo, and redo work correctly."""
+	_vscode.start_vscode()
+	spy = _NvdaLib.getSpyLib()
+	# create new file
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("control+n")
+	# type some text
+	for c in "hello":
+		spy.emulateKeyPress(c)
+	# navigate with arrow keys
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("leftArrow")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "o")
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("rightArrow")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "blank")
+	# jump to start of file
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("control+home")
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("NVDA+upArrow")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "hello")
+	# jump to end of file
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("control+end")
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("leftArrow")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "o")
+	# open find bar and search
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("control+f")
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("h")
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("e")
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("l")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "1 of 1")
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("escape")
+	# open replace bar
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("control+h")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "Replace")
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("escape")
+	# type bracket for bracket matching test
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("control+end")
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("enter")
+	for c in "(a)":
+		spy.emulateKeyPress(c)
+	# jump to matching bracket
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("control+shift+\\")
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("numpad2")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "left paren")
+	# move line down
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("control+home")
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("alt+downArrow")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "hello")
+	# move line up
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("alt+upArrow")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "hello")
+	# undo
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("control+z")
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("NVDA+upArrow")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "hello")
+	# redo
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("control+y")
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("NVDA+downArrow")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "(a)")
+
+
+def extensions_panel():
+	"""Ensure extensions panel is accessible."""
+	_vscode.start_vscode()
+	spy = _NvdaLib.getSpyLib()
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("control+shift+x")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "Extensions")
+	for c in 'publisher:"Microsoft"':
+		spy.emulateKeyPress(c)
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("enter")
+	# Tab to clear search button
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("tab")
+	# Tab to search results
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("tab")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "Extensions  list")
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("downArrow")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "Microsoft")
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("tab")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "Install")
+
+
+def terminal_panel():
+	"""Ensure terminal panel is accessible."""
+	_vscode.start_vscode()
+	spy = _NvdaLib.getSpyLib()
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("control+`")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "Terminal 1")
+	for c in "echo foo":
+		spy.emulateKeyPress(c)
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("enter")
+	spy.wait_for_speech_to_finish()
+	# Enter accessible view of terminal output
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("alt+f2")
+	# Read bottom of terminal output
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("upArrow")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "foo")
+	spy.emulateKeyPress("escape")
+	# Create new terminal
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("control+shift+`")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "Terminal 2")
+	# Navigate between terminals
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("control+pageUp")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "Terminal 1")
+	speech = _NvdaLib.getSpeechAfterKey("control+pageDown")
+	_builtIn.should_contain(speech, "Terminal 2")
diff --git a/tests/system/robot/vscodeTests.robot b/tests/system/robot/vscodeTests.robot
index 45052e45bab..452a80089e9 100644
--- a/tests/system/robot/vscodeTests.robot
+++ b/tests/system/robot/vscodeTests.robot
@@ -32,6 +32,35 @@ default teardown
 	quit NVDA
 
 *** Test Cases ***
-VS Code status line is available
-	[Documentation]    Start Visual Studio Code and ensure NVDA+end does not report "no status line found".
-	vs_code_status_line_is_available
+
+status line is available
+	[Documentation]    Ensure NVDA+end does not report "no status line found".
+	status_line_is_available
+
+sidebar toggle announced
+	[Documentation]    Ensure control+b announces sidebar shown/hidden.
+	sidebar_toggle_announced
+
+command palette
+	[Documentation]    Ensure the command palette is announced when activated and can be navigated.
+	command_palette
+
+file navigation
+	[Documentation]    Ensure file navigation works correctly.
+	file_navigation
+
+search panel
+	[Documentation]    Ensure the search panel is announced when activated and can be navigated.
+	search_panel
+
+file editor operations
+	[Documentation]    Ensure file editor operations such as navigation, undo, and redo work correctly.
+	file_editor_operations
+
+extensions panel
+	[Documentation]    Ensure extensions panel is accessible
+	extensions_panel
+
+terminal panel
+	[Documentation]    Ensure terminal panel is accessible.
+	terminal_panel