Visual Studio Code has become a go-to code editor for developers across the globe—and for good reason. Its flexibility, extensive extension marketplace, and constant updates make it an incredibly powerful tool. But are you using VS Code to its full potential? This guide will walk you through actionable tips to transform from a casual user to a VS Code power user.
Master the command palette
The command palette (Ctrl+Shift+P or Cmd+Shift+P on Mac) is your gateway to VS Code's full functionality. Instead of hunting through menus, simply:
- Type ">" to run any command
- Type "@" to navigate to symbols within the current file
- Type "#" to search for symbols across your workspace
Power Tip: Use ">" followed by "keyboard shortcuts" to view and customize all shortcuts for maximum efficiency.
Embrace keyboard shortcuts
Speaking of shortcuts, the fastest VS Code users rarely touch their mouse. Here are some essential shortcuts to memorize:
- Ctrl+P (Cmd+P): Quick file navigation
- Alt+Up/Down (Option+Up/Down): Move lines up/down
- Ctrl+/ (Cmd+/): Toggle line comment
- F12: Go to definition
Power Tip: Create your own custom shortcuts via File > Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts for operations you perform frequently.
Multi-cursor editing
One of VS Code's most powerful features is multi-cursor editing:
- Alt+Click (Option+Click): Add additional cursors anywhere
- Ctrl+Alt+Up/Down (Cmd+Option+Up/Down): Add cursors above/below
- Ctrl+D (Cmd+D): Select next occurrence of current selection
Power Tip: Use multi-cursor with Shift+End to quickly add similar content at the end of multiple lines at once.
Supercharge with extensions
The right extensions can dramatically improve your productivity:
Graphite's VS Code Extension: Simplify your Git workflow with this powerful extension that integrates seamlessly with the Graphite platform, enabling better code reviews and branch management right from your editor.
GitLens: Visualize code authorship with inline git blame annotations.
Prettier: Format your code automatically on save.
Path Intellisense: Autocomplete filenames as you type.
Live Share: Collaborate in real-time with other developers.
Power Tip: When using Graphite's extension, you can create, review, and manage pull requests without leaving your editor—a massive time-saver for teams using Git.
Customize your UI
A cleaner, more personalized UI can help maintain focus:
- Toggle Zen Mode (Ctrl+K Z) to eliminate distractions
- Use the Activity Bar to switch between views
- Customize your status bar to show only what you need
- Set up a custom color theme or use the popular GitHub themes
Power Tip: Use workbench.colorCustomizations in settings.json to fine-tune specific UI elements.
Advanced terminal integration
The integrated terminal in VS Code is incredibly powerful:
- Split terminals with the + icon in the terminal panel
- Use terminal profiles for different environments
- Run tasks with Ctrl+Shift+B (Cmd+Shift+B)
Power Tip: Configure terminal tasks in tasks.json to automate repetitive commands.
Conclusion
Becoming a VS Code power user doesn't happen overnight—it's about consistently incorporating these workflow optimization techniques into your daily coding routine. Start with mastering the command palette and keyboard shortcuts, then gradually work your way through the other tips. With tools like Graphite's VS Code extension and these advanced VS Code settings and strategies, you'll be coding faster and more efficiently than ever before.