10 VS Code Shortcuts You Need to Know for Maximum Efficiency

Developers all over the globe like Visual Studio Code (VS Code), a robust and flexible code editor known for its ease of use, adaptability, and wealth of customization possibilities. The extensive set of keyboard shortcuts in VS Code enable you to do jobs fast and without ever taking your hands off the keyboard, which is one of the main factors contributing to its efficiency. Ten crucial VS Code shortcuts that can greatly increase your productivity and improve your coding efficiency are covered in this blog post. Learning these keyboard shortcuts will speed up and simplify your coding process, regardless of expertise level.

1. Command Palette: Your Gateway to Efficiency

The Command Palette is a powerful feature in VS Code that provides quick access to nearly every command available in the editor. You can use it to execute commands, open files, navigate to symbols, and more—all without taking your hands off the keyboard.

Shortcut:

• Windows/Linux: Ctrl + Shift + P
• Mac: Cmd + Shift + P

How to Use the Command Palette:

1. Press the shortcut to open the Command Palette.
2. Start typing the name of the command you want to execute.
3. Select the command from the list and press Enter.

Example Usage:
If you want to open the terminal without navigating through the menu, simply press Ctrl + Shift + P and type Toggle Integrated Terminal. This will instantly bring up the terminal panel.

The Command Palette is incredibly versatile, and knowing how to use it effectively can save you a lot of time. It’s especially useful for discovering new commands and features in VS Code that you might not be aware of.

2. Multi-Cursor Editing: Edit Multiple Lines Simultaneously

One of VS Code’s most potent features is multi-cursor editing. It enables you to simultaneously modify numerous cursor locations in various document sections. When you need to make the identical update in several locations, this is really helpful.

Shortcut:

• Windows/Linux: Ctrl + Alt + Down Arrow or Ctrl + Alt + Up Arrow
• Mac: Cmd + Option + Down Arrow or Cmd + Option + Up Arrow

How to Use Multi-Cursor Editing:

1. Place your cursor where you want the first edit to occur.
2. Hold down Ctrl (Cmd on Mac) and press the Up or Down Arrow to add additional cursors.
3. Start typing, and the changes will be applied to all cursors simultaneously.

Example Usage:
Suppose you have a list of variables that all need to be renamed. Instead of renaming each variable individually, you can use multi-cursor editing to place a cursor on each variable and rename them all at once.

Multi-cursor editing can be used in various ways, such as selecting multiple lines with similar content or inserting text in multiple places at once. Mastering this shortcut can drastically reduce the time you spend on repetitive editing tasks.

3. Quick Open: Instantly Navigate Between Files

Quick Open is a feature that allows you to quickly navigate between files in your project without having to search through the file explorer manually.

Shortcut:

• Windows/Linux: Ctrl + P
• Mac: Cmd + P

How to Use Quick Open:

1. Press the shortcut to open the Quick Open panel.
2. Start typing the name of the file you want to open.
3. Select the file from the list and press Enter.

Example Usage:
If you are working on a project with hundreds of files, finding the right file can be a hassle. With Quick Open, you can jump directly to the file you need in seconds. For example, if you want to open index.html, simply press Ctrl + P and start typing “index”.

Quick Open is also capable of opening files by their path, making it an excellent tool for navigating complex directory structures. This feature can save you a significant amount of time, especially in large projects.

4. Integrated Terminal: Manage Your Terminal Inside VS Code

VS Code comes with an integrated terminal that allows you to run shell commands directly from the editor. This eliminates the need to switch between your code editor and an external terminal, streamlining your workflow.

Shortcut:

• Windows/Linux: Ctrl + Backtick ()`
• Mac: Cmd + Backtick ()`

How to Use the Integrated Terminal:

1. Press the shortcut to toggle the terminal panel.
2. Use the terminal as you would any other command-line interface.

Example Usage:
You can use the integrated terminal to run build scripts, execute git commands, or start a development server without leaving the editor. For instance, if you need to commit your changes to Git, you can do so directly from the terminal panel without interrupting your workflow.

The integrated terminal is highly configurable and supports multiple shells, including Bash, PowerShell, and Command Prompt. This makes it a versatile tool for developers who prefer to work in a unified environment.

5. Split Editor: Work with Multiple Files Side by Side

The Split Editor feature allows you to open multiple files side by side, making it easier to work on different parts of your project simultaneously. This is particularly useful for comparing files or referencing one file while editing another.

Shortcut:

• Windows/Linux: Ctrl + \
• Mac: Cmd + \

How to Use Split Editor:

1. Open a file in the editor.
2. Press the shortcut to split the editor vertically or horizontally.
3. Open another file in the new editor pane.

Example Usage:
If you’re working on a front-end project and need to edit both your HTML and CSS files, you can split the editor and have both files open side by side. This makes it easier to see how your changes in one file affect the other.

You can split the editor multiple times, allowing you to work with several files simultaneously. This feature is great for multitasking and can significantly improve your productivity.

6. Peek Definition: View Function and Variable Definitions Inline

Peek Definition allows you to view the definition of a function or variable without leaving your current file. This is useful when you need to quickly check a definition without navigating away from your code.

Shortcut:

• Windows/Linux: Alt + F12
• Mac: Option + F12

How to Use Peek Definition:

1. Place your cursor on the function or variable you want to inspect.
2. Press the shortcut to open a peek view of the definition.

Example Usage:
Suppose you’re working on a JavaScript file and want to quickly check the definition of a function. Instead of navigating to the file where the function is defined, you can use Peek Definition to view the function inline. This allows you to stay focused on your current task without getting distracted by context-switching.

Peek Definition is a great way to keep your workflow smooth and uninterrupted, especially when working with large codebases where definitions are scattered across multiple files.

7. Go to Definition: Quickly Jump to Function and Variable Definitions

Go to Definition is similar to Peek Definition but takes you directly to the location where a function or variable is defined. This is useful when you need to edit a definition or explore it in more detail.

Shortcut:

• Windows/Linux: F12
• Mac: F12

How to Use Go to Definition:

1. Place your cursor on the function or variable you want to explore.
2. Press the shortcut to jump to the definition.

Example Usage:
If you’re debugging an issue and need to understand how a function works, you can use Go to Definition to navigate directly to the function’s code. This allows you to quickly inspect the implementation and make any necessary changes.

Go to Definition is a fundamental tool for navigating your codebase and understanding how different parts of your code interact with each other. It’s especially useful for new team members who are learning the structure of a project.

8. Format Document: Automatically Format Your Code

Consistent code formatting is crucial for readability and maintainability. VS Code’s Format Document feature automatically formats your code according to the rules defined in your project’s settings or the default settings of the language you’re using.

Shortcut:

• Windows/Linux: Shift + Alt + F
• Mac: Shift + Option + F

How to Use Format Document:

1. Open the file you want to format.
2. Press the shortcut to automatically format the entire document.

Example Usage:
If you’re working on a JavaScript project and want to ensure your code adheres to a specific style guide, you can use Format Document to automatically format your code. This saves you the hassle of manually adjusting indentation, spacing, and other formatting details.

Format Document supports a wide range of languages and can be customized with extensions like Prettier or ESLint to enforce specific coding standards. This feature is essential for maintaining a clean and consistent codebase.

9. Toggle Sidebar: Maximize Your Workspace

The sidebar in VS Code contains the file explorer, search, source control, and other panels. While these panels are useful, they can also take up valuable screen space. The Toggle Sidebar feature allows you to hide or show the sidebar, giving you more room to work on your code.

Shortcut:

• Windows/Linux: Ctrl + B
• Mac: Cmd + B

How to Use Toggle Sidebar:

1. Press the shortcut to hide or show the sidebar.

Example Usage:
If you’re working on a small screen or need more space to focus on your code, you can use Toggle Sidebar to hide the sidebar temporarily. This gives you a cleaner and more spacious workspace, allowing you to concentrate on your code.

Toggle Sidebar

is a simple but effective way to manage your workspace and keep your focus on the task at hand.

10. Zen Mode: Eliminate Distractions for Focused Coding

Zen Mode in VS Code provides a distraction-free coding environment by hiding all UI elements except the editor. This allows you to focus entirely on your code without any distractions from menus, toolbars, or notifications.

Shortcut:

• Windows/Linux: Ctrl + K Z
• Mac: Cmd + K Z

How to Use Zen Mode:

1. Press the shortcut to enter Zen Mode.
2. To exit Zen Mode, press Esc twice.

Example Usage:
When you’re working on a complex task that requires deep focus, entering Zen Mode can help you concentrate without any interruptions. This is particularly useful for tasks like debugging, writing algorithms, or refactoring code.

Zen Mode is customizable, allowing you to adjust settings like line numbers, word wrap, and more to create the perfect coding environment. It’s a great tool for improving concentration and minimizing distractions.

Conclusion

You may become a more productive and efficient developer by learning these ten VS Code shortcuts. These shortcuts can help you save time, cut down on monotonous activities, and keep your coding experience fluid throughout your everyday workflow. Learning how to utilize VS Code efficiently may have a significant impact on your development process because it’s a strong tool. As you begin using these shortcuts regularly, you’ll notice an improvement in your accuracy and speed of coding!