So you think you’ve tricked out your VS Code setup? Maybe you’ve got Prettier auto-formatting like a digital housekeeper, or GitLens telling you exactly who to side-eye for that broken line of code. Cool, cool. But here’s the thing—there are a few under-the-radar extensions that aren’t just nice to have. They’re low-key life-changing. You might not even know you’re missing them, until you try them.
This isn’t another laundry list of the usual suspects. No shade to ESLint and Live Server, but let’s get into the stuff that flies under the radar—like that indie band you pretend you discovered before they blew up.
Let’s talk about five VS Code extensions that just quietly make everything better.
1. Polacode – Because Screenshots Shouldn't Look Like Crime Scenes
You ever try to share a snippet of code in Slack and it looks like you took a blurry picture of your monitor using a toaster? Not exactly portfolio material.
Polacode fixes that. It turns your VS Code snippet into a gorgeous, Instagrammable Polaroid-style image. It respects your theme and fonts, and yeah—it’s silly. But you know what? It’s also weirdly satisfying. Great for tweeting elegant solutions or sharing something you're irrationally proud of (like finally fixing a CSS issue that's been haunting you for three days).
Use it once, and you'll catch yourself beautifying even the tiniest of code samples. It's like code scrapbooking. And don't act like you're above that.
2. Error Lens – Because Red Squiggles Are Just the Beginning
Let’s be real: VS Code’s default error handling is about as helpful as a shrug.
Error Lens doesn’t just underline your mistakes. It shouts them from the rooftops (but like, in a constructive way). Instead of vague red lines, you get inline messages that explain exactly what’s wrong—and where.
No more hovering like a nervous wreck over a cryptic error icon. The issue is right there in your face, bold and unapologetic. If you've ever spent 20 minutes squinting at an unresolved import or a forgotten semicolon, Error Lens feels like having a very patient, very blunt friend sitting beside you.
Also? It's oddly calming to just know.
3. Peacock – Because Sometimes Context is Everything
Raise your hand if you’ve ever opened five VS Code windows and edited the wrong one. Yeah, me too. You think you're saving changes to your test environment, but nope—production is crying now.
Peacock lets you tint your VS Code workspace so you can instantly tell them apart. Maybe green for dev, red for prod (high-stakes vibe), and blue for that pet project you poke at during lunch breaks.
It’s simple. Almost too simple. But it solves a problem that costs people real hours—and possibly their last nerve. You don’t realize how much mental load you're carrying until Peacock quietly takes that weight off.
And hey, it feels kinda luxurious. Like putting your code editor in a tailored outfit.
4. CodeSnap – Sharing Code Never Looked This Good
Yeah, technically I already mentioned Polacode. But hear me out—CodeSnap deserves its own shoutout.
Why? Because it's the slightly more practical sibling. While Polacode is all about aesthetic vibes, CodeSnap keeps it clean and functional. It creates beautiful images of your code with zero fuss, and you can tweak padding, background, and theme support.
Honestly, the choice between the two depends on your mood. Want drama? Go Polacode. Want clarity? CodeSnap’s your move.
It’s also sneakily good for documentation and internal wikis. People do read those, by the way—especially when they don’t look like ransom notes.
5. TODO Highlight – Because Memory is a Lie
You know that thing where you leave a // TODO: Refactor this before Friday and then completely forget? It’s fine, we’ve all been there. Deadlines come and go, and suddenly your TODOs are like ghosts haunting your codebase.
TODO Highlight makes them pop out—literally. It adds visual flair (think neon highlighter) to your TODO, FIXME, and whatever other custom tags you like to use when future-you needs a reminder.
You’ll spot them instantly when you scroll through your files. It’s like putting sticky notes in your code—except you can’t lose them under a coffee mug.
Bonus tip: combine it with the “Bookmarks” extension and start navigating like a time traveler with a perfect memory. Because let’s face it, your brain deserves a break.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not About Bells and Whistles, It’s About Flow
The best extensions don’t add flash—they remove friction.
VS Code already does a ton. But these lesser-known tools quietly smooth out the edges of your workflow. They make code feel a bit more human, a bit more yours.
And isn’t that the point? You’re not just building apps or APIs—you’re crafting something. Sometimes, the right tool can turn a frustrating hour into a focused sprint. Sometimes, it’s the thing that helps you stay in flow, just a little longer.
So maybe try one. Or all five. Worst case? You uninstall it. Best case? You wonder how you ever wrote code without it.
And hey, if you’ve got a weird, wonderful extension that you swear by, don’t gatekeep—spread the word. The VS Code rabbit hole is deep, and honestly, that’s half the fun.
- Josh
P.S. None of these are sponsored. Just sharing the love, one extension at a time.
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