Stevie G

Posted on Jan 7, 2021 • Edited on Nov 23

The Ultimate Visual Studio Code Shortcuts Guide

#vscode #ide #shortcuts #keyboard

Boost your productivity and streamline your workflow with these must-know Visual Studio Code shortcuts. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, these shortcuts will help you code faster and more efficiently.

1. Autocomplete

Windows/Mac: Tab When beginning to type, hit Tab to intelligently complete the displayed code.

2. Open Command Palette

Windows: Ctrl + Shift + P
Mac: Shift + Cmd + P

The Command Palette will quickly become your best friend as you learn various shortcuts. If you ever forget a shortcut, simply open the Command Palette and search for what you’re trying to do.

3. Find a File

Windows: Ctrl + P
Mac: Cmd + P

Quickly search for a specific file in the current workspace. This works really well in conjunction with the split editor. Hit Cmd + P (or Ctrl + P on Windows), and while continuing to hold the modifier key, keep hitting P to switch between recent files.

4. Toggle Sidebar

Windows: Ctrl + B
Mac: Cmd + B

Straightforward: quickly show or hide the sidebar.

5. Toggle Panel

Windows: Ctrl + J
Mac: Cmd + J

Quickly show or hide the bottom panel. This includes the Terminal, Output, Problems, and Debug Console.

6. Toggle Integrated Terminal

Windows/Mac: Ctrl + `

Quickly show or hide the integrated terminal panel.

7. Highlight Next Instance

Windows: Ctrl + D
Mac: Cmd + D

Select the next occurrence of the current word.

8. Highlight All Instances

Windows: Ctrl + F2
Mac: Fn + Cmd + F2

Select all occurrences of the current word.

9. Highlight All Occurrences of Selection

Windows: Ctrl + Shift + L
Mac: Cmd + Shift + L

Select all occurrences of the selected word.

10. Select a Line

Windows: Ctrl + L
Mac: Cmd + L

Select an entire line of code.

11. Comment/Uncomment a Line of Code

Windows/Mac: Ctrl + /

Comment or uncomment a line of code. This has intelligent language detection and will use the correct syntax for the current language, e.g.,  in HTML.

12. Move by Word

Windows: Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow Key
Mac: Option + Left/Right Arrow Key

Move by word using the left or right arrows while holding the modifier key.

13. Navigate Around Files

Windows: Ctrl + Up/Down/Left/Right Arrow Key
Mac: Cmd + Up/Down/Left/Right Arrow Key

Move to the top, bottom, left, or right extreme of the current file or code faster by holding the modifier key and using arrow keys.

14. Split Editor

Windows: Ctrl + \
Mac: Cmd + \

Split the current editor into two panes to view or edit files side by side.

15. Switch Between Tabs

Windows: Ctrl + Tab
Mac: Cmd + Tab

Quickly switch between open tabs in the editor.

16. Close Editor

Windows: Ctrl + W
Mac: Cmd + W

Close the current editor tab.

17. Open Settings

Windows: Ctrl + ,
Mac: Cmd + ,

Open the settings menu to tweak your VSCode configuration.

18. Open Keyboard Shortcuts

Windows: Ctrl + K, Ctrl + S
Mac: Cmd + K, Cmd + S

View and customise all the shortcuts available in VSCode.

19. Duplicate a Line

Windows: Shift + Alt + Down/Up Arrow
Mac: Shift + Option + Down/Up Arrow

Duplicate the current line or selection either above or below.

20. Delete a Line

Windows: Ctrl + Shift + K
Mac: Cmd + Shift + K

Delete the current line without needing to select it.

21. Move a Line Up or Down

Windows: Alt + Up/Down Arrow
Mac: Option + Up/Down Arrow

Move the current line (or selection) up or down in the editor.

22. Peek Definition

Windows: Alt + F12
Mac: Option + F12

View the definition of a method, variable, or function in a small popup without leaving the current file.

23. Go to Definition

Windows: F12
Mac: F12

Jump directly to the definition of a method, variable, or function in your project.

24. Rename Symbol

Windows: F2
Mac: F2

Rename all instances of a variable, method, or class in the workspace.

25. Format Document

Windows: Shift + Alt + F
Mac: Shift + Option + F

Automatically format your code using the language formatter.

26. Quick Fix

Windows: Ctrl + .
Mac: Cmd + .

Show available fixes or code suggestions for the current issue (e.g., linting errors).

27. Toggle Zen Mode

Windows: Ctrl + K Z
Mac: Cmd + K Z

Focus on your code by hiding all distractions like the sidebar, status bar, and activity bar.

28. Open Recent Workspace

Windows: Ctrl + R
Mac: Cmd + R

Quickly open recently accessed folders or workspaces.

29. Collapse All Folders

Windows: Ctrl + K Ctrl + 0
Mac: Cmd + K Cmd + 0

Collapse all folders in the Explorer view.

30. Expand All Folders

Windows: Ctrl + K Ctrl + J
Mac: Cmd + K Cmd + J

Expand all folders in the Explorer view.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve found any other shortcuts that have saved you time and effort, let me know in the comments below! Sharing is caring, and we all love a good productivity hack.

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