VSCode in WSL: how to sudo a root file so I can edit it

Question

WSL v.1 -- VSCode v1.40.1 (using \'Remote - WSL\' extension 40.3)

How to open a root-owned file for edit using sudo and VSCode? (without running as root)

Answer 1

Set environment variable:

export VISUAL="code -nw"

Then you can edit any file like this:

sudo -e file

It will automatically make a copy of file, and, when you close the editor, copy it back.