Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is one of the most popular code editors among developers, thanks to its lightweight design, extensive extension support, and customizable interface. To supercharge your coding efficiency, mastering keyboard shortcuts is essential. This article covers the top VS Code shortcuts for navigation, editing, debugging, and more, helping you work faster and smarter. Shortcuts are provided for both Windows/Linux and Mac, where they differ.
Why Use Shortcuts in VS Code?
Keyboard shortcuts reduce reliance on the mouse, streamline repetitive tasks, and keep your focus on coding. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned developer, these shortcuts will save you time and enhance your workflow.
Getting Started
To view or customize shortcuts in VS Code:
- Open the Keyboard Shortcuts panel: Ctrl + K, Ctrl + S (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + K, Cmd + S (Mac).
- Search for commands or modify keybindings by clicking the pencil icon next to a shortcut.
- Use the Command Palette (Ctrl + Shift + P or Cmd + Shift + P) to run any VS Code command.
Now, let’s dive into the most useful shortcuts, organized by category.
General Navigation
| Action | Windows/Linux | Mac | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Command Palette | Ctrl + Shift + P | Cmd + Shift + P | Access any VS Code command or setting. |
| Quick File Open | Ctrl + P | Cmd + P | Search and open files by name. |
| Toggle Sidebar | Ctrl + B | Cmd + B | Show or hide the sidebar (Explorer, Search, etc.). |
| Open New Window | Ctrl + Shift + N | Cmd + Shift + N | Launch a new VS Code instance. |
| Close Window | Ctrl + Shift + W | Cmd + Shift + W | Close the current VS Code window. |
File and Editor Management
| Action | Windows/Linux | Mac | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| New File | Ctrl + N | Cmd + N | Create a new untitled file. |
| Save File | Ctrl + S | Cmd + S | Save the current file. |
| Close Editor | Ctrl + W or Ctrl + F4 | Cmd + W | Close the active editor tab. |
| Split Editor | Ctrl + \ | Cmd + \ | Split the editor into multiple panes. |
| Switch Editor Tab | Ctrl + Tab | Cmd + Tab | Cycle through open editor tabs. |
Code Editing
| Action | Windows/Linux | Mac | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comment Line | Ctrl + / | Cmd + / | Toggle line comment for the selected line(s). |
| Multi-Cursor Selection | Alt + Click | Option + Click | Add multiple cursors for simultaneous editing. |
| Select Next Occurrence | Ctrl + D | Cmd + D | Select the next occurrence of the current word. |
| Format Document | Ctrl + Shift + I | Cmd + Shift + I | Auto-format the entire file (if supported by the language). |
| Go to Definition | F12 | F12 | Jump to the definition of a variable or function. |
Search and Replace
| Action | Windows/Linux | Mac | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Find in File | Ctrl + F | Cmd + F | Search within the current file. |
| Replace in File | Ctrl + H | Cmd + H | Replace text within the current file. |
| Search in Project | Ctrl + Shift + F | Cmd + Shift + F | Search across all files in the workspace. |
| Go to Line | Ctrl + G | Cmd + G | Jump to a specific line number. |
| Find Symbol | Ctrl + Shift + O | Cmd + Shift + O | Search for symbols (functions, classes) in the current file. |
Debugging
| Action | Windows/Linux | Mac | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start Debugging | F5 | F5 | Begin or continue debugging. |
| Step Over | F10 | F10 | Step over the next line of code. |
| Step Into | F11 | F11 | Step into a function call. |
| Toggle Breakpoint | F9 | F9 | Add or remove a breakpoint on the current line. |
| Stop Debugging | Shift + F5 | Shift + F5 | End the debugging session. |
Terminal and Version Control
| Action | Windows/Linux | Mac | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toggle Terminal | Ctrl + ` |
Cmd + ` |
Show or hide the integrated terminal. |
| New Terminal | Ctrl + Shift + ` |
Cmd + Shift + ` |
Create a new terminal instance. |
| Git Commit | Ctrl + Enter (in Source Control) | Cmd + Enter | Commit staged changes (with Git extension). |
| Stage Changes | Ctrl + Shift + G, +
|
Cmd + Shift + G, +
|
Stage selected changes for commit. |
| Open Source Control | Ctrl + Shift + G | Cmd + Shift + G | Switch to the Source Control view. |
Customizing Shortcuts
If a shortcut doesn’t suit you, customize it:
- Open the Keyboard Shortcuts panel (Ctrl + K, Ctrl + S or Cmd + K, Cmd + S).
- Search for the command (e.g., "toggle terminal").
- Click the pencil icon and press your preferred key combination.
- Save changes to update the keybinding.
You can also export/import keybindings for use across machines by copying the keybindings.json file from your VS Code user settings folder.
Tips for Learning Shortcuts
- Start Small: Focus on 2-3 shortcuts per day (e.g., Ctrl + P, Ctrl + /, Ctrl + D).
- Use Cheat Sheets: Print or bookmark a VS Code shortcut cheat sheet for quick reference.
- Practice Regularly: Repetition builds muscle memory. Try using shortcuts instead of menus for a week.
- Enable Tips: Turn on the Screencast Mode (Ctrl + K, Ctrl + S > search "screencast") to display key presses on-screen while learning.
Platform-Specific Notes
Windows/Linux: Most shortcuts use Ctrl, but some Linux distributions may conflict with system keybindings. Check your OS settings to resolve conflicts.
Mac: Replace Ctrl with Cmd and Alt with Option in most cases. Mac users may need to adjust keybindings for function keys (F1-F12).
Conclusion
VS Code shortcuts can transform your coding experience, making you faster and more efficient. Start with the shortcuts that align with your daily tasks, such as navigation and editing, and gradually incorporate debugging and version control commands. Refer to this guide or VS Code’s built-in shortcut panel to keep learning.
Top comments (1)
Solid list! I recently started using multi-cursorr editing more often — absolute game changer 💥
I’m curious, do you use any extensions that add custom keybindings or improve shortcuts? I'm slowly tuning my VS Code setup for security scripting.