If you’re building apps with React Native, having the right VS Code setup can seriously boost your productivity, reduce bugs, and streamline development. In this post, I’ll walk you through the top VS Code extensions that every React Native developer should use—ranked by priority and practicality.
🚀 Whether you're a beginner or scaling a production app, these tools can transform your workflow.
🥇 1. ESLint – Linting That Catches Bugs Early
🔗 Install ESLint
Why it matters: Keeps your code clean and prevents bugs before they happen.
✅ Highlights:
Enforces best practices and coding styles.
Works well with Prettier.
Supports JavaScript, TypeScript, and JSX.
🥈 2. Prettier - Code Formatter – Auto-format Your Code
🔗 Install Prettier - Code formatter
Why it matters: Ensures consistent formatting across the entire codebase.
✅ Highlights:
Works with ESLint.
Auto-formats on save.
Supports multi-language files.
🥉 3. React Native Tools (Preview) – Debugging Built-in
🔗 Install React Native Tools (Preview)
Why it matters: Debug and run your React Native app directly in VS Code.
✅ Highlights:
Start Metro, run apps, and debug from VS Code.
View logs and breakpoints.
Great alternative to CLI or Android Studio/Xcode for routine tasks.
4. Android & iOS Emulator Launcher – Emulator Control in VS Code
🔗 Install Android & iOS Emulator Launcher
Why it matters: Launch Android/iOS emulators from VS Code.
✅ Highlights:
Skip switching to Android Studio/Xcode.
Fast access to saved emulators.
Ideal for testing on multiple devices.
5. ES7+ React/Redux/React-Native Snippets – Write Less, Do More
🔗 Install ES7+ React/Redux/React-Native/GraphQL Snippets
Why it matters: Scaffold components and hooks with simple shortcuts.
✅ Highlights:
Type rnfe for a React Native functional component.
Includes snippets for useState, useEffect, Redux, etc.
A huge time saver.
6. Auto Rename Tag – Rename JSX Tags Automatically
🔗 Install Auto Rename Tag
Why it matters: Automatically updates closing JSX tags when you edit the opening one.
✅ Highlights:
Prevents tag mismatches.
Especially useful in nested component structures.
7. GitLens — Git Supercharged – Understand Your Code History
🔗 Install GitLens — Git supercharged
Why it matters: Know who wrote each line and why.
✅ Highlights:
Inline Git blame.
Commit history and file changes.
Great for team collaboration.
8. Path Intellisense + npm Intellisense – Smarter Imports
🔗 Path Intellisense
🔗 npm Intellisense
Why it matters: Suggests paths and package names while you type.
✅ Highlights:
Faster, error-free imports.
Supports relative and absolute paths.
9. Error Lens – Instant Inline Error Feedback
🔗 Install Error Lens
Why it matters: Displays ESLint and TypeScript errors directly in the editor.
✅ Highlights:
Makes errors impossible to ignore.
Saves time compared to using the Problems tab.
10. Todo Tree – Track Your // TODO and // FIXME
🔗 Install Todo Tree
Why it matters: View and manage all TODOs in your codebase from one panel.
✅ Highlights:
Keeps track of technical debt and reminders.
Customizable tags.
📌 Edit TODO tag in VSCode
11. TODO.md Kanban Board – Turn Todos into Tasks
🔗 Install TODO.md Kanban Board
Why it matters: Convert TODO.md into a visual kanban board inside VS Code.
✅ Highlights:
Lightweight task management.
Helps plan and prioritize features.
12. Color Highlight + Rainbow Brackets – Visual Helpers
🔗 Color Highlight
🔗 Rainbow Brackets
Why it matters: Easier to understand styles and nested logic.
✅ Highlights:
Instantly preview color codes like #ff0000.
Track deeply nested JSX or functions visually.
13. Code Spell Checker – Fix Typos in Code
🔗 Install Code Spell Checker
Why it matters: Catch typos in comments, variables, and strings.
✅ Highlights:
Helps maintain professionalism.
Supports multiple languages.
14. .gitignore Generator – Keep Your Repo Clean
🔗 Install .gitignore
Why it matters: Easily generate .gitignore files specific to React Native.
✅ Highlights:
Prevents node_modules, Android/iOS build folders, and env files from being tracked.
15. VSCode Journal – Daily Dev Logs
🔗 Install VSCode Journal
Why it matters: Log your thoughts, ideas, and daily work inside VS Code.
✅ Highlights:
Supports Markdown.
Great for retrospectives or solo projects.
Bonus: vscode-icons – Colorful File Icons
Add vibrant icons to files and folders in your explorer for quicker navigation.
🎯 Final Thoughts
Your editor is your workspace—make it powerful.
By installing these essential VS Code extensions for React Native, you can:
Catch bugs early,
Maintain consistent code,
Speed up development,
And ship higher-quality apps faster.
💡 Pro Tip:
Start with the top 5 (ESLint, Prettier, RN Tools, Emulator Launcher, and Snippets) if you’re just getting started. Expand your toolkit as your project grows.
✍️ Written by Dainy Jose — Mobile App Developer specialized in React Native and the MERN stack.
💼 Skills & Tools:
Mobile App Dev | MERN Stack | React Native | TypeScript | Redux | React.js | Node.js | MongoDB | MySQL | Express.js | REST API | JWT | Google Maps | Firebase | Jest | Agile | SDLC | Payments | Git | Bitbucket | Jira
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