Visual Studio Code has become the go-to editor for developers worldwide, and a huge part of its power comes from its extensive marketplace of extensions. While there are thousands to choose from, some extensions are absolute game-changers that can dramatically improve your productivity and coding experience.
Here are 10 VS Code extensions that every developer should consider installing:
1. Prettier - Code Formatter
Prettier is an opinionated code formatter that supports multiple languages including JavaScript, TypeScript, CSS, HTML, and more. It eliminates debates about code style by automatically formatting your code on save. No more worrying about where to place brackets or how many spaces to use—Prettier handles it all consistently.
Why you need it:
Consistent code formatting across your entire team without any effort. It integrates seamlessly with most popular frameworks and libraries.
Pro tip:
Enable "Format on Save" in your VS Code settings and create a .prettierrc configuration file in your project root to ensure everyone on your team follows the same formatting rules.
2. ESLint
ESLint is the premier linting tool for JavaScript and TypeScript. It identifies problematic patterns in your code, helps you follow best practices, and catches potential bugs before they reach production. It's highly configurable and supports custom rules tailored to your project's needs.
Why you need it:
Catch errors early, enforce coding standards, and maintain code quality across your entire codebase.
Pro tip:
Combine ESLint with Prettier using eslint-config-prettier to prevent rule conflicts, and enable "Auto Fix on Save" to automatically clean up your code as you work.
3. GitLens
GitLens supercharges the Git capabilities built into VS Code. It helps you visualize code authorship at a glance through Git blame annotations, navigate and explore Git repositories, gain valuable insights via rich visualizations, and unlock the power of your entire Git history.
Why you need it:
Understanding who changed what, when, and why becomes effortless. It transforms Git from a tool into a powerful collaboration platform.
Pro tip:
Use the Commit Graph view to visualize branches and merges. If inline blame annotations get too noisy, disable them and rely on hover tooltips instead.
4. Live Server
Live Server launches a local development server with live reload capability for static and dynamic pages. Any changes you make to your HTML, CSS, or JavaScript files are instantly reflected in the browser without manual refreshing.
Why you need it:
Instant feedback accelerates your development workflow, especially when working on front-end projects.
Pro tip:
Right-click any HTML file in the Explorer and select "Open with Live Server," or use the keyboard shortcut Alt+L, Alt+O (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+L, Cmd+O (Mac) to start the server.
5. Auto Rename Tag
This extension automatically renames paired HTML/XML tags. When you rename one tag, its corresponding opening or closing tag is renamed simultaneously. It's a small feature that saves countless keystrokes and prevents mismatched tag errors.
Why you need it:
Simple but incredibly time-saving when working with markup languages. No more hunting for that closing tag you forgot to update.
Pro tip:
Make sure it's activated for JSX and TSX files by checking the activationOnLanguage setting in your VS Code configuration.
6. Path Intellisense
Path Intellisense provides intelligent autocomplete for file paths in your project. As you start typing a file path, it suggests and autocompletes filenames, making it much easier to reference files correctly.
Why you need it:
Eliminate typos in file paths and navigate your project structure more efficiently, especially in large codebases.
Pro tip:
Keep your project structure organized with clear and consistent naming conventions—the extension works best with logical folder hierarchies.
7. Bracket Pair Colorizer 2
While VS Code now has built-in bracket pair colorization (which you can enable in settings), this extension pioneered the feature. It colors matching brackets to make it easier to identify matching pairs in your code, particularly helpful in nested code structures.
Why you need it:
Instantly understand code structure and reduce time spent matching brackets in complex nested code.
Note: VS Code's native bracket pair colorization is now quite good. You can enable it by adding "editor.bracketPairColorization.enabled": true to your settings, but this extension offers additional customization options.
8. REST Client
REST Client allows you to send HTTP requests and view responses directly within VS Code. You can create and save requests in simple text files, making API testing and documentation incredibly straightforward without leaving your editor.
Why you need it:
Test APIs without switching to Postman or other external tools. Perfect for quick API calls and keeping request documentation alongside your code.
Pro tip:
Create .http or .rest files to organize your API requests by feature or endpoint. Use variables and environments to manage different configurations (dev, staging, production).
9. Better Comments
Better Comments helps you create more human-friendly comments in your code. It categorizes annotations into alerts, queries, TODOs, highlights, and more, using different colors for different types of comments.
Why you need it:
Make your comments more organized and visually distinguishable, improving code documentation and team communication.
Pro tip:
Customize the comment styles in your settings.json to match your team's workflow. You can create your own custom tags beyond the default ones like !, ?, TODO, and *.
10. Error Lens
Error Lens enhances the display of errors, warnings, and other language diagnostics. Instead of hovering over squiggly lines or checking the problems panel, it highlights the entire line where an issue exists and displays the diagnostic message inline.
Why you need it: Spot errors immediately without interrupting your workflow. The inline display saves time and reduces context switching.
Pro tip: If the inline messages get too distracting, you can customize the display settings to show only errors (not warnings), or adjust the background highlight intensity.
Tips
When installing extensions, remember to:
- Read the reviews and ratings before installing
- Check the last update date to ensure the extension is actively maintained
- Review the permissions requested by each extension
- Disable extensions you're not using to keep VS Code performant
- Sync your extensions across devices using VS Code's Settings Sync feature
- Start with the essentials (Prettier, ESLint, GitLens, Live Server) and add specialized tools based on your specific needs
These extensions represent just a fraction of what's available in the VS Code marketplace, but they form a solid foundation for any developer's toolkit. Each one addresses a specific pain point in the development workflow, from code formatting to Git integration to API testing.
The beauty of VS Code is that it's highly customizable to your specific needs. Start with these essentials, explore others based on your tech stack, and build an editor environment that works perfectly for you.
Remember, the goal isn't to install every extension you come across—it's to find the ones that genuinely improve your workflow and make you more productive. Quality over quantity!
What are your must-have VS Code extensions? Drop them in the comments below!
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