Most useful shortcuts for VSCode that everyone should know.
There are a countless number of shortcuts, I am only writing the ones that I use in my daily life and could benefit developers and save a lot of time.
Prerequisites:
- VS Code
Getting Started:
1. Global Search:
Ctrl + Shift + F / cmd + shift + F
Allows you to search in all the files (nested as well) starting from the "./” root directory.
2. Auto fix lint error: (cursor/blinking insertion point should be on the code to be fixed)
Shift + Alt + . / option + cmd + .
Fixes the lint error (that is auto-fixable by the linter).
3. Open the selected file in file explorer:
Shift + Alt + R / option + cmd + R
Opens up the file in the explorer. (File should be focused on in the sidebar)
4. Save all unsaved files open in the tabs:
(Ctrl + K) then S / (cmd + K) then S
All unsaved files get saved in the tabs.
5. Compare the active unsaved file with the saved version of the file:
(Ctrl + K) then D / (cmd + K) then D
5. Selects the breadcrumbs:
Ctrl + Shift + . / cmd + Shift + .
Select the breadcrumbs on the top and allows them to navigate easily.
6. Fold the selected scope:
Ctrl + Shift + [ / cmd + option + [Folds the selected scope.
Ctrl + Shift + ] / cmd + option + ]Opens the selected scope.
7. Navigate between the tabs:
Ctrl + PageUp / cmd + option + ➡Goes to the next tab.
Ctrl + PageDown / cmd + option + ⬅Goes to the previous tab.
8. Multiply cursors in rows:
Ctrl + Alt + ⬇ / cmd + option + ⬇
Ctrl + Alt + ⬆ / cmd + option + ⬆
Generates multiple cursors in the same column and different rows.
9. Insert blank line: (Cursor could be anywhere in the line)
Ctrl + Enter / cmd + return
Inserts a new line below the line where your cursor is.
10. Duplicate the line:
Ctrl + Shift + ⬇ ||Ctrl + Shift + ⬆
option + shift + ⬇ ||option + shift + ⬆
Creates the duplicate line below/above the line where the cursor is.
11. Indent the line:
Ctrl + ] / cmd + ]
Indent only one single line (or selected lines).
12. Open the tab in the sidebar:
Ctrl + \ / cmd + \
The tab that you want to open should be open and focused.
13. Global search and replace:
Ctrl + H / cmd + shift + H
Searches the keyword in the whole project folder and replaces it with the desired keyword/expression.
14. Compare the current file with the clipboard data:
(Ctrl + K) then C / (cmd + K) then C
Searches the keyword in the whole project folder and replaces it with the desired keyword/expression.
15. Last edit location:
Ctrl + K then Ctrl + Q / cmd + K then cmd + Q
Takes cursor to last edit location.
16. Go to file:
Ctrl + P / cmd + P
Type the filename in the popped pallet.
17. Go to the line:
Ctrl + G / control + G
Takes cursor to Entered line number.
18. Peek definition:
Alt + F12 / option + F12
The cursor should be on the word you want to check the definition of.
19. Indent the document:
Ctrl + Alt + F / cmd + shift + F
Indents the whole document.
20. Go to bracket:
Ctrl + Shift + \ / cmd + shift + \
Goes to the closing bracket of the scope the cursor is in, if on the closing bracket already then jumps to the opening bracket.
21. Trace the cursor trail:
Alt + ⬅ / control + -
Traces the cursor last visited coordinates (even in between the files).
21. Go to the next occurrence of the highlighted word/symbol/expression:
Ctrl + D / cmd + D
Traverses one by one and selects the succeeding similar words or expressions.
Free:
Ctrl + K then Ctrl + S / cmd + K then cmd + S
Opens the keyboard shortcuts guide and allows you to edit them and set your own hotkey combination as per your convenience.
You can add various key combinations including the following:
- Changing selected text to uppercase/lowercase.
- Changing the default terminal.
- Converting the tab indentation.
- Duplicate the selection
- Update the tag, etc.
Do let us know any useful key combinations that we can use, and share the article with your friends and colleagues.
