DEV Community

Cover image for 7 VS Code Extensions I Install on Every New Computer
Caelora
Caelora

Posted on

7 VS Code Extensions I Install on Every New Computer

#debugging #webdev #beginners #programming

7 VS Code Extensions I Install on Every New Computer

Every time I reinstall Windows or buy a new laptop, the first application I install is Visual Studio Code. But VS Code alone isn't enough. The real productivity boost comes from its extensions.

After years of web development, I've narrowed my list down to seven extensions that I install immediately. These extensions save time, improve code quality, and make development much more enjoyable.

1. Prettier

Nobody likes arguing about code formatting.

Prettier automatically formats your code every time you save, keeping your project clean and consistent.

Why I use it

  • Consistent formatting
  • Works with almost every language
  • Saves time during code reviews 
"editor.formatOnSave": true
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

2. ESLint

ESLint catches mistakes before they become bugs.

Instead of discovering issues after deployment, you'll see warnings directly in your editor.

It also helps enforce coding standards across your team.

3. GitLens

GitLens makes Git much easier to understand.

With one hover, you can instantly see:

  • Who changed a line
  • When it was changed
  • Why it was changed

This is incredibly useful when working on large projects.

4. Error Lens

Normally, VS Code shows errors at the bottom of the screen.

Error Lens displays them directly beside your code, making debugging much faster.

Small extension, huge productivity boost.

5. Auto Rename Tag

If you're working with HTML, React, or Vue, this extension is a lifesaver.

Rename an opening tag...

<div>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

...and the closing tag updates automatically.

</div>
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

No more broken markup.

6. Path Intellisense

Import paths can become annoying in large projects.

Instead of typing long file paths manually, this extension autocompletes them for you.

It's simple but saves countless keystrokes every day.

7. Thunder Client

Sometimes you don't want to open Postman just to test one API endpoint.

Thunder Client lives inside VS Code and lets you:

  • Send HTTP requests
  • Test REST APIs
  • Organize collections

Perfect for backend developers.

Final Thoughts

VS Code is already a fantastic editor, but the right extensions can dramatically improve your workflow.

If I had to choose only three, they would be:

  1. Prettier
  2. ESLint
  3. GitLens

Those three alone eliminate many common development headaches.

What VS Code extension can't you live without? Let me know in the comments!

Top comments (0)