Blog Post: Become a VS Code Pro – Advanced Tips for Unstoppable Productivity

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is currently one of the most popular code editors among developers. Its flexibility, power, and vast ecosystem of extensions make it an ideal tool for working with various programming languages and projects. In the first part, we discussed basic but critically important tips. Now, let's dive even deeper into VS Code's capabilities and learn additional tricks that will elevate your workflow to a new level.

In this blog post, along with the previous tips, we will share additional professional approaches to help you maximize VS Code's potential.

1. Master the Command Palette

• What it is: The Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P or Cmd+Shift+P on Mac) is your universal tool in VS Code. You can access almost every command from here, from opening files to Git operations.
• Why it's important: Instead of searching through menus, simply open the palette and start typing the command name. This significantly speeds up your work.
• Tip: Learn the names of your most frequently used commands. Also, use Ctrl+P (or Cmd+P) to quickly search for and open files in your project.

2. Use Extensions Wisely

• The Power of VS Code: Extensions are one of VS Code's greatest strengths. There are thousands of extensions for almost everything: language support (Python, JavaScript, Go, PHP...), code formatting (Prettier), linters (ESLint, Pylint), Git integration (GitLens), themes, icons, and much more.
• Tip:
  • Choose Quality Extensions: Install only the extensions you really need and those with good ratings and active support. Too many extensions can slow down the editor.
  • Essential Categories: Consider extensions for code formatting (e.g., Prettier), linters (e.g., ESLint), specific language support for your stack, and Git (e.g., GitLens).
  • Review Periodically: Occasionally review your installed extensions and uninstall those you no longer use.

3. Keyboard Shortcuts – Your Best Friend

• The Key to Efficiency: The less you use the mouse and the more you use the keyboard, the faster you work. VS Code has countless built-in shortcuts.
• Tip:
  • Learn Basic Shortcuts: Saving files (Ctrl+S/Cmd+S), copy/paste, find (Ctrl+F/Cmd+F), replace in file (Ctrl+H/Cmd+H).
  • Multi-Cursor: One of the most powerful features. Learn how to add cursors on different lines (Alt+Click or Ctrl+Alt+Down/Up / Cmd+Option+Down/Up) and edit multiple places simultaneously.
  • Customization: If a frequently used command doesn't have a convenient shortcut for you, customize it (File > Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts or Code > Settings > Keyboard Shortcuts).

4. Integrated Terminal

• Convenience: VS Code has a built-in terminal (Ctrl+\`` orView > Terminal). This means you no longer need to open a separate terminal window to run commands (e.g.,npm install,git commit,python script.py`). Everything is in one place.
• Tip: You can open multiple terminal panels simultaneously and easily switch between them.

5. Git Integration

• Built-in Capabilities: VS Code has excellent built-in Git support. The Source Control panel (Ctrl+Shift+G / Cmd+Shift+G) allows you to easily view changes, stage files, commit, create and manage branches, etc.
• Tip: Use the GitLens extension for even more functionality, such as viewing code authorship directly in the editor (blame annotations), Browse file history, and more.

6. Workspaces and Settings

• Project-Specific Customization: VS Code allows you to configure settings globally (User Settings) and for specific projects (Workspace Settings). This is especially useful if you work on different projects with varying requirements (e.g., code formatting rules).
• Tip: Use Workspace Settings (the .vscode/settings.json file in your project folder) to define project-specific settings. These settings activate automatically when you open the project and can be committed to your Git repository so team members use the same configuration.

7. Code Snippets

• Automate Repetitive Code: If you often write the same code blocks (e.g., function or class structure, for loop), you can create your own code snippets. Type a short prefix, press Tab, and VS Code will automatically insert the full code.
• Tip: Explore existing snippets provided by your language support extensions and create your own custom snippets (File > Preferences > Configure User Snippets or Code > Settings > Configure User Snippets).

8. Use the Debugger Effectively

• Finding Bugs: VS Code has a powerful built-in debugger for many languages. Learn how to set breakpoints, step through code, inspect variable values, and analyze the call stack.
• Tip: Properly using the debugger will save you countless hours otherwise spent writing and analyzing console.log or print statements.

Additional Professional Tips:

9. Code Navigation – Be Quick

• Go to Definition: Place your cursor on a function or variable name and press F12 to jump directly to its declaration/definition. Ctrl+Click / Cmd+Click does the same.
• Peek Definition: Press Alt+F12 to see the definition directly within the current window, without navigating away.
• Symbol Navigation:
  • Ctrl+Shift+O (Cmd+Shift+O on Mac): Shows all symbols (functions, variables, classes) in the current file, allowing you to quickly jump to the desired one.
  • Ctrl+T (Cmd+T on Mac): Searches for symbols across the entire workspace.

10. Refactoring Tools

• Rename Symbol: Place your cursor on a variable, function, or class name and press F2. VS Code will automatically find and rename all occurrences of that symbol within the scope.
• Quick Fix: When VS Code detects a potential issue or an opportunity for improvement (e.g., unused variable, possible refactoring), a lightbulb icon often appears. Press Ctrl+. (Cmd+. on Mac) near the icon to see suggested actions (e.g., extract code into a function, add an import).

11. Task Automation (Task Runner)

• Build, Test, Run: VS Code has a built-in Task Runner. You can create a tasks.json file in the .vscode folder to define frequently performed tasks like building your project, running tests, or executing scripts.
• Tip: Open the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P) and type "Run Task" to see and run your defined tasks. This is much more convenient than manually typing the same commands in the terminal.

12. Remote Development

• Work in Any Environment: Microsoft's "Remote Development" extension pack (Remote - SSH, Remote - Containers, Remote - WSL) allows you to connect to and work on projects hosted on a remote server, in a Docker container, or in the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) as if they were local.
• Tip: This is especially useful if your development environment differs from your local machine, or if you want a clean, isolated environment for each project.

13. Collaborative Work (Live Share)

• Real-Time Collaboration: The Live Share extension allows you to share your code, terminal, and debugging session with other developers in real time. They can interact with your code directly from their own VS Code instance.
• Tip: Ideal for pair programming, code reviews, or collaboratively solving complex problems, even when you're not physically together.

14. Advanced Source Control Features

• Timeline View: Open a file and look at the bottom of the Explorer panel. The Timeline view shows the history of saves and Git commits for that file, allowing you to easily see changes over time and compare versions.
• Visual Merge Conflict Resolution: When a Git merge conflict occurs, VS Code offers a convenient visual editor where you can see incoming and current changes side-by-side and choose which ones to keep.

15. Editor Layout and Focus Modes

• Split Editor: Work on multiple files simultaneously by splitting the editor (Ctrl+\ or Cmd+\, or drag a file tab to the side). You can create vertical or horizontal layouts.
• Zen Mode: When you need maximum focus on your code, enter Zen Mode (Ctrl+K Z or Cmd+K Z). This hides all unnecessary UI elements (sidebars, status bar) leaving only the code editor.

16. Profiles

• Different Contexts, Different Configurations: VS Code Profiles allow you to save and easily switch between different configurations. Each profile can have its own settings, extensions, keyboard shortcuts, and UI state.
• Tip: Create separate profiles for work projects, personal projects, specific languages (e.g., Python development, Web development), or even different types of tasks (e.g., coding vs. writing documentation). Manage profiles via File > Preferences > Profiles (Code > Settings > Profiles on Mac).

Conclusion

Visual Studio Code is much more than just a text editor. It's a powerful, adaptable development environment, and using it correctly can significantly boost your productivity and code quality. By mastering these advanced tips, you'll be able to leverage its hidden potential even more effectively.

Remember, the best way to master VS Code is through constant practice and experimentation. Don't be afraid to try out new features and extensions.

Do you have a favorite VS Code tip that wasn't mentioned here? Share it in the comments!