Frequently it is necessary in the .ini. file to use the following line, or similar for a later version like 53.03.12,for newer ESspressif devices;
platform = https://github.com/pioarduino/platform-espressif32/releases/download/53.03.11/platform-espressif32.zip
However, in the addons folder there is a pioArduino IDE add in for VSC. When should that be used? please.