VSCode Productivity Tips & Hacks

Visual Studio Code is the most popular Integrated Development Environment globally. According to Stack Overflow’s 2023 Developer Survey, ~74% of developers prefer VS Code over others.

Reference: Stack Overflow’s 2023 Developer Survey

1. Open in VS Code

To open a project in VS Code:

• On Linux-based distros like Ubuntu, use the terminal command code ..
• On Windows, open a folder by typing cmd in the address bar, pressing enter, and then using code ..

A simpler method is to enable the ‘open with code’ option during VS Code installation, allowing the right-click context menu to open folders in VS Code.

If this config was missed initially, re-run the VS Code setup and ensure all checkboxes are checked. Previous configurations remain unchanged.

2. Renaming

Refactoring is essential for improving project quality and maintainability. VS Code facilitates this with the Rename Symbol command (F2).

• Press F2, type the new name, and press Enter to rename all instances of the symbol across files.

3. Multi Cursor

Multi-select cursor allows editing multiple locations simultaneously.

• Alt+Click: Place a new cursor.
• Ctrl+Alt+Down: Add a cursor below.
• Ctrl+Alt+Up: Add a cursor above.
• Drag mouse while pressing the mouse wheel.

Use these shortcuts to append text at the end of multiple lines.

Additional shortcuts:

• Ctrl+Left: Move cursor one word left.
• Ctrl+Right: Move cursor one word right.
• Ctrl+Backspace: Delete one word left.
• Ctrl + D: Add cursor to next matching word.

For renaming values with preserved case, use the ‘Multiple Cursor Case Preserve’ extension.

4. Move Lines Up/Down

Move lines with:

• Move lines up: Alt + Up Arrow
• Move lines down: Alt + Down Arrow

5. Copy lines Up/Down

Copy lines with:

• Alt + Shift + Up/Down Arrow.

To copy a line to a non-adjacent location, use Ctrl + L to select the line, then copy and paste.

6. Delete the Line

Delete a line quickly with:

• Ctrl + Shift + K.

Alternatively, use Ctrl + X to cut the line.

7. Comment Code Block

Commenting code blocks:

• Single-line comments: CTRL + /
• Multi-line comments: ALT + SHIFT + A

8. Code Navigation Backward and Forward

Navigate code with:

• Backwards: Ctrl + -
• Forwards: Ctrl + Shift + -

Customize key bindings via File -> Preferences -> Keyboard Shortcuts.

9. Quick Open

Open a file quickly with:

• Ctrl + P

Navigate recently opened files or search by name.

10. Command Palette

Access all VS Code commands with:

• Ctrl + Shift + P

11. Global Find

Search within the codebase with:

• Ctrl + Shift + F

Filter search areas via the advanced menu.

12. Fast Scrolling

Scroll quickly by holding the Alt key while scrolling.

Adjust scroll speed with the editor.fastScrollSensitivity setting.

Bonus: Open terminal outside VS Code with Ctrl + Shift + C

These shortcuts enhance daily productivity in VS Code.

Ref: Yasas Sandeepa - Medium