Visual Studio Code shortcuts
Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is the favorite source code editor for developers. VS Code provides powerful developer tools such as IntelliSense code completion, debugging, plugins, and themes that improve developer efficiency and productivity. You can learn more about VS Code here.
In this blog post, I will share the top VS Code for improving my productivity
Open: Open a folder/file in VS Code from the mac terminal or command line:
code App.vue. #Open a file with VS Code editorcode . #Open current directory with VS Code editor
Keyboard shortcuts: It generally takes a few extra seconds every few seconds to move back and forth between mouse and keyboard. Keeping your hands on the keyboard will enable you to code faster in a long run. Here I will list down the shortcuts I generally use.
Note: Wherever CTRL/CMD is mentioned please use CMD (Mac) or CTRL (Windows)
Toggle Sidebar: The sidebar occupies a lot of space and generally, we click on it often to view the files. You can simply toggle on/off the sidebar using the below command:
Toggle SidebarCTRL/CMD + B
Toggle VS Code terminal: The VS Code terminal is the area developers install dependencies, build, run commands, start the dev server, etc. This does take a lot of space as well.
Toggle VS Code TerminalCTRL + `
Open a file: While working on a project, generally, it is difficult to navigate through the tree hierarchy every time you need to open a file. An easier tip is to try the below command and then you can simply search, it also displays your recent files to get to it faster.
I love this shortcut
Open a fileCTRL/CMD + P
Tab through open files
Tab through open filesCTRL + TAB
Split to a new window and move the file: Sometimes you require to work on two windows to easily refer to multiple files and code.
Split to a new window and move the fileCTRL/CMD + \
Close a fileCTRL/CMD + WSearch and replaceCTRL/CMD + F
Open command palette: I understand the keyboard shortcuts are hard to remember initially, I recommend just remembering this shortcut so that you can run commands that every other shortcut can do
Open command paletteCTRL/CMD + SHIFT + P
Toggle comment (Select multiple lines before issuing the command)CTRL/CMD + /Navigate textHold Alt/Opt + use left/up/down/right arrows to move word by wordHold CTRL/CMD + use left/right arrows to move from start to end in a row, and use up/down arrows to move to top and bottom in a pageCopy (Tip: to copy a line you don't need to select it, just stay on the line and copy)CTRL/CMD + CCutCTRL/CMD + XPasteCTRL/CMD + VSelect wordCTRL/CMD + D
Zen mode: Zen is a Japanese word for meditation, peace, and calmness. When you need to focus on a difficult task without distractions, Zen is your friend.
Zen mode (Wait for a second after you press key K)CTRL/CMD + K Z
Note: Press escape to exit zen mode.
If you don’t remember any of these shortcuts then simply remember the below shortcut and you can get to any of the above and additional shortcuts.
Open command paletteCTRL/CMD + SHIFT + P
Using the above keyboard shortcuts will enable you to code faster.
