diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 0f1f62197a..8d6fae4d72 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -70,9 +70,12 @@ zulip.kdev4
 *.kate-swp
 *.sublime-project
 *.sublime-workspace
-.vscode/
 *.DS_Store
-# .cache/ is generated by Visual Studio Code's test runner
+# VS Code. Avoid checking in .vscode in general, while still specifying
+# recommended extensions for working with this repository.
+/.vscode/**/*
+!/.vscode/extensions.json
+# .cache/ is generated by VS Code test runner
 .cache/
 .eslintcache
 
diff --git a/.vscode/extensions.json b/.vscode/extensions.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..752115e914
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.vscode/extensions.json
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+{
+    // Recommended VS Code extensions for zulip/zulip.
+    //
+    // VS Code prompts a user to install the recommended extensions
+    // when a workspace is opened for the first time.  The user can
+    // also review the list with the 'Extensions: Show Recommended
+    // Extensions' command.  See
+    // https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/editor/extension-marketplace#_workspace-recommended-extensions
+    // for more information.
+    //
+    // Extension identifier format: ${publisher}.${name}.
+    // Example: vscode.csharp
+
+    "recommendations": [
+        "42crunch.vscode-openapi",
+        "dbaeumer.vscode-eslint",
+        "esbenp.prettier-vscode"
+    ],
+
+    // Extensions recommended by VS Code that are not recommended for users of zulip/zulip.
+    "unwantedRecommendations": []
+}