Top Visual Studio Code Shortcuts to Boost Your Productivity

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 These shortcuts help you move around VS Code quickly. 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 Manage files, tabs, and editor layouts with ease. 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 These shortcuts streamline writing and refactoring code. 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 Find and modify code across files efficiently. 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 Speed up debugging with these shortcuts. 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 Work with the integrated terminal and Git directly in VS Code. Action Windows/Linux Mac Description Toggle Terminal Ctrl + ` Cmd + ` Show or hide the integrated terminal. New Terminal Ctrl + Shift + `

Jun 25, 2025 - 06:40

Top Visual Studio Code Shortcuts to Boost Your Productivity

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

These shortcuts help you move around VS Code quickly.

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

Manage files, tabs, and editor layouts with ease.

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

These shortcuts streamline writing and refactoring code.

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

Find and modify code across files efficiently.

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

Speed up debugging with these shortcuts.

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

Work with the integrated terminal and Git directly in VS Code.

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.