10 VS Code Shortcuts to Memorize That Will Boost Your Productivity
Introduction
In the world of software development, efficiency and productivity are paramount. As a developer, mastering your tools is essential for faster and more efficient coding. One such tool that has gained immense popularity among developers is Visual Studio Code (VS Code). With its extensive features and customizability, VS Code provides a seamless coding experience. In this blog post, we’ll explore 10 VS Code shortcuts that are worth memorizing to enhance your productivity and streamline your workflow.
Ctrl + P (Cmd + P on macOS) – Quick File Navigation
Navigating through large projects can be time-consuming, but with this shortcut, you can quickly open any file within your project. Simply press Ctrl (or Cmd) + P, type the file name, and hit Enter. It’s a time-saver when you know the file you’re looking for but don’t want to navigate through the folder structure manually.
Ctrl + (Cmd + on macOS) – Integrated Terminal
Frequent switching between your code editor and the terminal can disrupt your workflow. With this shortcut, you can open the integrated terminal within VS Code, enabling you to execute commands without leaving your editor. It’s especially useful when running scripts, tests, or building your project.
Ctrl + / (Cmd + / on macOS) – Toggle Line Comment
Adding or removing comments is an essential part of coding. Rather than manually adding comment tags, you can use this shortcut to toggle line comments for the selected block of code. It works with various programming languages and helps you quickly comment or uncomment lines without interrupting your flow.
Ctrl + B (Cmd + B on macOS) – Toggle Sidebar
The sidebar in VS Code contains useful navigation tools like the file explorer, search, extensions, and more. Toggling it with this shortcut provides a distraction-free coding environment when you need more screen space. It’s handy for focusing on your code while temporarily hiding the sidebar.
Ctrl + D (Cmd + D on macOS) – Multiple Selections
When you need to make the same change in multiple instances of a word or selection, this shortcut is your friend. Pressing Ctrl (or Cmd) + D selects the next occurrence of the current word or selection. Repeatedly pressing the shortcut expands the selection to the subsequent occurrences. It’s a great time-saver for refactoring code or making similar edits across multiple lines.
Ctrl + Shift + L (Cmd + Shift + L on macOS) – Select All Occurrences
Similar to the previous shortcut, this one selects all occurrences of the current word or selection simultaneously. It allows you to make changes simultaneously on multiple lines without needing to select them one by one. Boost your efficiency by using this shortcut for global edits.
Ctrl + Pagedown (Cmd + Pagedown on macOS) – Cycle Through Tabs
When you’re working with multiple files simultaneously, it can become cumbersome to switch between them using the mouse. With this shortcut, you can cycle through the open tabs quickly. It saves time and eliminates the need for unnecessary mouse movement.
F12 – Go to Definition
Understanding code and navigating to definitions is a frequent task for developers. Pressing F12 on a function or variable takes you directly to its definition, making code exploration and debugging a breeze. This shortcut is invaluable for understanding unfamiliar codebases and quickly jumping between different parts of your project.
Ctrl + Shift + O (Cmd + Shift + O on macOS) – Go to Symbol
Searching for specific symbols, methods, or functions within a file can be a challenge in large projects. This shortcut opens a quick navigation pane that allows you to search for and jump to a specific symbol. It’s an efficient way to locate and navigate to different sections of your codebase swiftly.
Ctrl + Shift + V (Cmd + Shift + V on macOS) – Markdown Preview
If you’re working with Markdown files, this shortcut comes in handy. It instantly renders a preview of your Markdown file, allowing you to see how it will appear when published or shared. It’s a useful productivity hack to avoid the need for external preview tools while working on documentation or README files.
Conclusion
Mastering shortcuts in VS Code can significantly boost your productivity as a developer. These ten shortcuts, ranging from file navigation to symbol search and quick edits, will streamline your workflow, saving you valuable time and effort. By incorporating these shortcuts into your coding routine, you’ll become a more efficient coder and get the most out of Visual Studio Code. So, start memorizing and utilizing these shortcuts today to supercharge your productivity!