If you’re a developer using Visual Studio Code (VS Code) on Windows, you’re sitting on a treasure chest of time-saving keyboard shortcuts. But are you using them to their full potential? If not, don’t worry — this article is here to help you fall in love with your keyboard (yes, really 😄).
Let’s turn you into a VS Code ninja — one shortcut at a time!
🎯 General Shortcuts: Your First Superpowers
Command Palette:
Ctrl+Shift+PorF1
→ Your all-in-one magic wand. Search for anything!Quick Open:
Ctrl+P
→ Jump to any file in a flash.New / Close Window:
Ctrl+Shift+N/Ctrl+Shift+W
→ Open or close your coding worlds.Keyboard Shortcuts List:
Ctrl+K Ctrl+S
→ Want to learn more shortcuts? This opens the full list inside VS Code.
✂️ Basic Editing: Code Like a Wizard
- Cut / Copy Line:
Ctrl+X/Ctrl+C(even with no selection) - Move Lines:
Alt+↑ / ↓ - Copy Lines:
Shift+Alt+↑ / ↓ - Delete Line:
Ctrl+Shift+K - Insert Line Above / Below:
Ctrl+Enter/Ctrl+Shift+Enter - Indent / Outdent:
Ctrl+]/Ctrl+[
💡 Tip: Try Ctrl+Home to jump to the top, or Ctrl+End for the bottom of your file instantly!
🧠 Search & Replace: Find Like a Pro
- Find:
Ctrl+F - Replace:
Ctrl+H - Find Next / Previous:
F3/Shift+F3 - Select All Matches:
Alt+Enter
🔍 Pro Tip: Use Ctrl+Shift+L to select all instances of a word and edit them all at once!
🪄 Multi-Cursor Magic
- Insert Multiple Cursors:
Alt+Click - Add Cursor Above/Below:
Ctrl+Alt+↑ / ↓ - Select All Matching Words:
Ctrl+F2 - Column Editing: Hold
Altand drag mouse down
🎯 Superpower: Press Ctrl+D again and again to select next occurrences of the current word.
🌍 File Management: Stay Organized
- New File:
Ctrl+N - Open File:
Ctrl+O - Save:
Ctrl+SorCtrl+Shift+Sfor Save As - Close All:
Ctrl+K Ctrl+W - Reopen Closed File:
Ctrl+Shift+T(like browser tabs!)
🧭 Navigation:
-
Ctrl+Tab→ Move through open files -
Ctrl+P→ Open any file fast -
Alt+← / →→ Navigate back and forward (like browser history)
💡 Display & View
- Full Screen:
F11 - Zen Mode (distraction-free):
Ctrl+K Z - Toggle Sidebar:
Ctrl+B - Show Explorer:
Ctrl+Shift+E - Search View:
Ctrl+Shift+F - Source Control:
Ctrl+Shift+G - Debug:
Ctrl+Shift+D
🎯 Designer’s Joy: Ctrl+Shift+V to preview Markdown!
🧪 Debugging Shortcuts
- Toggle Breakpoint:
F9 - Start/Stop Debugging:
F5/Shift+F5 - Step Into/Over/Out:
F11/F10/Shift+F11 - Show Variables (Hover):
Ctrl+K Ctrl+I
💻 Integrated Terminal: Work Like a Boss
- Toggle Terminal:
Ctrl+` - Create New Terminal:
Ctrl+Shift+ - Copy / Paste:
Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V - Scroll:
Shift+PgUp / PgDn - Jump to Top / Bottom:
Ctrl+Home / End
🎉 Final Words
Every time you stop using your mouse, you're saving precious seconds — and over a day, that adds up! 🌟
Use this guide like a daily cheat sheet. You don’t need to memorize all shortcuts at once — just pick 2 or 3 and practice them until they become second nature. Then add more as you go!
📌 Bonus Download
👉 You can find more tips and even customize your own shortcuts here: aka.ms/vscodekeybindings
Ready to become a VS Code Hero?
Start pressing those keys, and watch your productivity skyrocket! 🚀💻💙
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