---
title: "Authentication"
description: "To use Local Platform, you need to grant it access to your QuantConnect account."
canonical: https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/local-platform/development-environment/authentication
markdown: https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/local-platform/development-environment/authentication.md
language: python
source: https://github.com/QuantConnect/Documentation/tree/master/02%20Local%20Platform/04%20Development%20Environment/01%20Authentication
modified: 2026-10-29
index: https://www.quantconnect.com/llms.txt
---

# Authentication

[Documentation](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2.md) > [Local Platform](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/local-platform.md) > Development Environment > Authentication

> Code examples are shown in Python. Append `?lang=csharp` to this URL for the C# version of this page.

## Introduction

To use Local Platform, you need to grant it access to your QuantConnect account.

## Log In

Follow these steps to log in to Local Platform:

1. Log in to the Algorithm Lab.
2. Start Docker Desktop.
3. Open Visual Studio Code.
4. In the left navigation menu, click the ![VS Code QuantConnect icon](https://cdn.quantconnect.com/i/tu/vscode-qc-icon.jpg) **QuantConnect** icon.
5. The Project panel checks the following requirements on your local machine. If any of the checks fail, see the related documentation.
- [LEAN CLI is installed](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/lean-cli/installation/installing-lean-cli.md).
- [Docker is installed and running](https://www.quantconnect.com/docs/v2/local-platform/installation.md).
- You are logged in to QuantConnect.
- In the Initialization Checklist panel, click **Login to QuantConnect**.

![Initialization checklist panel](https://cdn.quantconnect.com/i/tu/initialization-checklist-1.png)

- In the Visual Studio Code window, click **Open**.

![VS Code login popup](https://cdn.quantconnect.com/i/tu/local-lab-log-in-pop-up.jpg)

- On the Code Extension Login page, click **Grant Access**.

## Log Out

Follow these steps to log out of Local Platform:

1. Open Visual Studio Code.
2. Press **F1**.
3. Enter **QuantConnect: Logout of QuantConnect** and then press **Enter**.
   ![VS Code log out](https://cdn.quantconnect.com/i/tu/vscode-log-out.png)

## Troubleshooting

Local Platform and the LEAN CLI share your login credentials. If you log in to your account on Local Platform or the LEAN CLI, you log into that account for both Local Platform and the LEAN CLI.