2 minutes
TOP 20 VS Code shortcuts: Mac Edition
Here is the guide for windows and linux
![VS Code Logo](/vscode/vscodelogo.png)
Just as many of you, I have been working with Visual Studio Code for a long while now in projects using languages like Python, Javascript, Typescript,… With no doubts it is a great tool, but I have the feeling that I am not as productive as when I am working with Java using IntelliJ IDEA. Why is that?
The biggest difference is that I learnt most of the shortcuts that I need in intellij, so I barely use the mouse when programming, and that for me makes a huge difference. In intelliJ there is a great plugin called Key Promoter X that tells you the shortcuts for every action you do that could have been done with a shortcut, it is super easy to learn and remember the most used shortcuts. I couldn’t find any plugin like this for VS Code, if it exists, please, please, PLEASE, let me know in the comments!
As I know it is hard to go and check from time to time the cheat sheet of VS Code shortcuts, here is a compilation of the most used (by me) shortcuts that you(I) should remember first:
Here is the list of TOP 25 shortcuts, with images:
1- Command Paletter: Ctrl+Shift+P
![Command Paletter](/vscode/paletter.gif)
2- Quick file open: Ctrl+P
![File Open](/vscode/openfile.gif)
3- Errors and warnings: Ctrl+Shift+M
navigate trhough errors with F8
or Shift+F8
![Errors and Warnings](/vscode/errors.gif)
4- Toggle Terminal: Ctrl+backtick
![Terminal](/vscode/terminal.png)
5- Toggle Sidebar: Ctrl+B
![Sidebar](/vscode/sidebar.gif)
6- Zen mode: Ctrl+K Z
Exit with Esc
Esc
![Zen mode](/vscode/zen.gif)
7- Open new tab: Ctrl+\
![New Tab](/vscode/tab.gif)
8- Switch tabs: Ctrl+1
, Ctrl+2
, Ctrl+3
![Switch Tab](/vscode/switchtab.gif)
9- Multicursor selection: Alt+Click
or Ctrl+Alt+Up
/ Ctrl+Alt+Down
![Multicursor](/vscode/multicursor.gif)
10- Next occurence selection: Ctrl+D
![Next Occurence](/vscode/nextselection.gif)
11- Select current line: Ctrl+L
![Select Line](/vscode/selectcurrentline.png)
12- Expand / shrink selection: Shift+Alt+Left
or Shift+Alt+Right
![File Open](/vscode/expand.gif)
13- Copy line up / down: Shift+Alt+Up
or Shift+Alt+Down
![Copy line](/vscode/copyup.gif)
14- Move line up and down: Alt+Up
or Alt+Down
![Move Line](/vscode/moveup.gif)
15- Code format: Shift+Alt+F
![Code Format](/vscode/format.gif)
16- Go to definition: F12
or Ctrl+click
![Go definition](/vscode/definition.gif)
17- Go to references: Shift+F12
![Go references](/vscode/references.gif)
18- Peek definition: Alt+F12
![Peek definitions](/vscode/peekdefinition.gif)
19- Navigation history: Ctrl+Tab
Navigate back and forward Alt+Left
and Alt+Right
![Navigation history](/vscode/navigation.gif)
20- Rename: F2
![Rename](/vscode/rename.gif)
Extra: Configrue autosave
open settings Ctrl+,
and search for autosave
![Autosave](/vscode/extra.png)
Just as knowing the language and the paradigm you are working is a must, knowing the tools you are using in order to work effectively is also a important. It makes a difference.
Thank you for reading all the way until here! If you want to comment this post you can do it on medium.com or dev.to.