10 VS Code Tips and Tricks Every Developer Should Know in 2025


Visual Studio Code (VS Code) has become the go-to code editor for developers across the world — and for good reason. It’s fast, flexible, and endlessly customizable. But what really makes VS Code shine is its hidden power: productivity-boosting features that most developers don’t fully explore.

Whether you’re a seasoned engineer or a beginner building your first project, mastering a few smart VS Code tricks can save hours every week. Let’s dive into the top 10 VS Code tips and tricks to level up your workflow in 2025.

🧩 1. Use Command Palette Like a Pro

Press Ctrl + Shift + P (or Cmd + Shift + P on Mac) to open the Command Palette — the gateway to every action in VS Code.
Instead of hunting through menus, you can type commands like:

This one shortcut can replace dozens of clicks and help you perform actions instantly.

⚙️ 2. Customize Your Editor Settings

Every developer works differently — and VS Code lets you tailor the editor to your style.
Try these quick setting tweaks:

Pro Tip: Open your settings.json for full control — you can even sync these settings across machines using Settings Sync.

🚀 3. Multi-Cursor Editing

Why edit the same line of code multiple times when you can edit them all at once?
Press Alt + Click (or Option + Click on Mac) to create multiple cursors.
You can also use Ctrl + D to select the next occurrence of a word — perfect for refactoring variables or updating HTML tags quickly.

🧠 4. IntelliSense & AI Extensions

VS Code’s IntelliSense gives real-time suggestions for code completion, parameters, and documentation.
Enhance it even further with AI tools like:

  • GitHub Copilot – autocomplete your thoughts with smart AI-powered suggestions.

  • Tabnine or Codeium – alternatives that use your codebase context for faster completion.

These tools turn VS Code into your personal coding assistant.

🧭 5. Integrated Terminal

Forget switching between your code and command line.
Press Ctrl + ~ to open the integrated terminal inside VS Code.
You can run Git commands, npm scripts, or even Docker commands without leaving the editor.
You can also open multiple terminal tabs for different projects or environments.

🧰 6. Power Up with Extensions

VS Code’s strength lies in its extension marketplace.
Here are some must-have extensions:

  • Prettier – Code formatting made effortless.

  • ESLint – Catch bugs before they break your build.

  • Live Server – Instantly preview web projects in the browser.

  • Path Intellisense – Auto-complete file paths.

  • GitLens – Visualize Git commits, blame info, and branches in context.

Don’t overdo it, though — too many extensions can slow performance. Stick to what truly enhances your workflow.

🧭 7. Use Split Editors and Workspaces

Need to compare two files or view related code side-by-side?
Use Ctrl + \ to split the editor vertically.
You can open multiple tabs and drag them into custom layouts.

Workspaces let you group related projects together — perfect for microservice-based systems or multi-repo workflows.

🔍 8. Efficient File Navigation

Save time navigating your project:

  • Ctrl + P → Quick Open: Jump to any file by typing its name.

  • Ctrl + Shift + O → Go to Symbol: Instantly find functions or classes.

  • Ctrl + Shift + M → View Problems: Check all linting or compile errors in one place.

You’ll spend less time scrolling and more time coding.

🎨 9. Theme and Icon Customization

A visually comfortable environment matters when you’re coding for hours.
Try these popular themes:

You can even build your own theme or install animated ones for a personalized vibe.

🔄 10. Keyboard Shortcuts Cheat Sheet

Memorizing every shortcut can be tough, but you can open VS Code’s Keyboard Shortcuts Reference anytime with:

  • Ctrl + K Ctrl + S

Pro Tip: Create your own custom shortcuts for repetitive actions — VS Code’s flexibility makes it easy.

🏁 Final Thoughts

VS Code is more than just a text editor — it’s a complete development environment that adapts to you. The more you explore its hidden gems, the more productive and creative you become.

From AI-powered coding to real-time collaboration and in-app debugging, these tips are just the beginning.

So the next time you open VS Code, don’t just code — command it. 🚀

Bonus Tip: Pair VS Code with Doc-E.ai for AI-guided developer insights, smarter documentation, and streamlined workflows. Together, they can take your development experience to the next level.

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