diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 898d07796..9be9b01b6 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -29,3 +29,6 @@ bundle.Dockerfile
 *~
 
 .DS_STORE
+
+# VSCode
+.vscode
diff --git a/.vscode/launch.json b/.vscode/launch.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..731487da5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.vscode/launch.json
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+{
+  "version": "0.2.0",
+  "configurations": [
+    {
+      "name": "Debug CodeFlare Operator",
+      "type": "go",
+      "request": "launch",
+      "mode": "auto",
+      "program": "${workspaceFolder}/main.go",
+      "env": {
+        "KUBECONFIG": "</path/to/your/kube/config>",
+        "NAMESPACE": "<namespace>"
+      },
+      "showLog": true
+    }
+  ]
+}
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 83edd2f9b..9fd4a3f8b 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -56,3 +56,10 @@ To write and inspect unit tests:
  - MCAD and InstaScale unit tests under `mcad_controller_test.go` and `instascale_controller_test.go` in the `controllers` dir
  - Unit test functions are defined in `suite_test.go` (with utils in `util/util.go`) in the `controllers dir`
  - Test cases defined under `controllers/testdata`
+
+ ## Local debugging with VSCode
+ Steps outlining how to run the operator locally.
+ - Ensure you are authenticated to your Kubernetes/OpenShift Cluster.
+ - Populate the [.vscode/launch.json](https://github.com/project-codeflare/codeflare-operator/tree/main/.vscode/launch.json) file with the location of your Kubernetes config file and desired namespace.
+ - In VSCode on the activity bar click `Run and Debug` or `CTRL + SHIFT + D` to start a local debugging session of the CodeFlare Operator.
+ The operator should be running as intended.