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Top Visual Studio Code Keyboard Shortcuts | Boost Your Productivity !

Top Visual Studio Code Keyboard Shortcuts | Boost Your Productivity !

Summary

VS Code shortcuts help you code faster and more efficiently. Start with the basic shortcuts like Ctrl + P and Ctrl + /, then move to multi-cursor and navigation tricks. Customize shortcuts to match your coding style and you'll notice a real difference in productivity.

Introduction

Want to speed up your coding in Visual Studio Code? Learning a few keyboard shortcuts can make a big difference. Whether you're a beginner or experienced developer, these shortcuts will save you time and reduce your reliance on the mouse.

In this guide, you'll discover the most useful VS Code shortcuts to boost productivity, along with tips to customize them as per your workflow.

Top VS Code Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows/Linux

  • Ctrl + P - Quick file open
  • Ctrl + Shift + P - Open Command Palette
  • Ctrl + / - Toggle line comment
  • Alt + Shift + F - Format code
  • Ctrl + B - Show/hide sidebar
  • Ctrl + ` - Toggle integrated terminal
  • Ctrl + Shift + O - Go to symbol in file
  • Ctrl + D - Select next match
  • Ctrl + L - Select entire line
  • Ctrl + Space - Trigger IntelliSense

Top VS Code Keyboard Shortcuts for macOS

  • Cmd + P - Quick file open
  • Cmd + Shift + P - Open Command Palette
  • Cmd + / - Toggle line comment
  • Option + Shift + F - Format code
  • Cmd + B - Show/hide sidebar
  • Ctrl + ` - Toggle integrated terminal
  • Cmd + Shift + O - Go to symbol in file
  • Cmd + D - Select next match
  • Cmd + L - Select entire line
  • Cmd + Space - Trigger IntelliSense

Shortcut for Moving Code

  • Alt + Up/Down - Move line up or down (Windows/Linux)
  • Option + Up/Down - Move line up or down (macOS)

Shortcut for Duplicating Code

  • Shift + Alt + Down - Duplicate line (Windows/Linux)
  • Shift + Option + Down - Duplicate line (macOS)

Shortcut for Multi-Cursor Editing

  • Alt + Click - Add cursor at clicked location
  • Ctrl + Alt + Down - Add new cursor below
  • Ctrl + Alt + Up - Add new cursor above

How to Customize Keyboard Shortcuts

  1. Open Command Palette using Ctrl + Shift + P or Cmd + Shift + P.
  2. Search and select Preferences: Open Keyboard Shortcuts.
  3. You'll see a list of actions and their current key bindings.
  4. Click the pencil icon next to an action to change its shortcut.

Why Use Keyboard Shortcuts?

  • Speed - Navigate, write, and edit code faster.
  • Productivity - Focus more on logic and less on UI.
  • Comfort - Avoid frequent mouse use to reduce hand strain.
  • Efficiency - Perform common tasks with fewer steps.

Tips to Remember Shortcuts

  • Practice 2-3 shortcuts each day until they become habit.
  • Print or save a VS Code keyboard shortcut cheat sheet.
  • Use keyboard shortcuts that match your coding workflow.
  • Use the command palette (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + P) to search for commands quickly.

Related Topics:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the fastest way to open any file in VS Code?

Use Ctrl + P (or Cmd + P on macOS) to open any file quickly in your project folder.

Can I export or import keyboard shortcuts?

Yes. You can export keybindings as a JSON file and import them on another setup using the Settings Sync feature.

Do these shortcuts work in all programming languages?

Most shortcuts work globally, but some language-specific extensions may override certain keybindings.

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