Discovering little tricks like that can really streamline your workflow. Here are some more tips and tricks for making the most out of your coding experience in VS Code, especially when you're working with Node.js:
You already found out about using the terminal in VS Code, but did you know you can split terminals? Use Ctrl + Shift + 5 (or Cmd + Shift + 5 on Mac) to open a split terminal. This is great for running a server in one terminal while executing scripts or running tests in another.
VS Code has a built-in debugger that works seamlessly with Node.js. Set breakpoints in your code by clicking in the gutter next to the line numbers, and then press F5 to start the debugger. You can step through your code, inspect variables, and view call stacks, making it much easier to find and fix issues.
If you're working on web projects, the Live Server extension is a game-changer. It automatically refreshes your browser whenever you save changes to your HTML, CSS, or JavaScript files. Just install the extension, right-click your index.html file, and select "Open with Live Server."
For HTML and CSS, Emmet abbreviations can save you tons of time. For example, typing ul>li*5 and pressing Tab will generate an unordered list with five list items. It's like magic!
The Prettier code formatter helps keep your code consistent and clean. Install the Prettier extension and then format your code with Alt + Shift + F (or Option + Shift + F on Mac). You can also configure it to format your code on save.
Custom snippets can speed up your coding. Go to File > Preferences > User Snippets and create a new snippet file for JavaScript. For example, you can create a snippet for a console log:
"log": {
"prefix": "clg",
"body": ["console.log('$1');"],
"description": "Log output to console"
}
Now, typing clg followed by Tab will expand to console.log();.
VS Code’s IntelliSense offers intelligent code completion, parameter info, and member lists. For JavaScript, it’s particularly useful when dealing with complex objects or unfamiliar libraries. You can trigger it manually by pressing Ctrl + Space.
There are a few must-have extensions for Node.js developers:
VS Code has Git integration built-in. You can manage your repositories, stage changes, make commits, and even resolve merge conflicts directly from the editor. Use the Source Control panel on the left sidebar for all your Git operations.
The Command Palette (Ctrl + Shift + P or Cmd + Shift + P on Mac) is the gateway to all VS Code commands. You can quickly search and execute commands, open files, and run extensions without leaving your keyboard.
Place multiple cursors in your code by holding Alt (or Option on Mac) and clicking where you want to add a cursor. You can also use Ctrl + Alt + Down (or Cmd + Option + Down on Mac) to add a cursor below the current line. This is super handy for making the same edit in multiple places.
Navigate your files quickly using the explorer panel on the left. Ctrl + P (or Cmd + P on Mac) brings up the quick open file menu, allowing you to jump to any file in your project with just a few keystrokes.
You can define tasks in VS Code to run scripts or commands with ease. Create a tasks.json file in the .vscode folder of your project and configure tasks like building your project or running tests.
{
"version": "2.0.0",
"tasks": [
{
"label": "build",
"type": "shell",
"command": "npm run build",
"problemMatcher": []
}
]
}
Now you can run your build task from the Command Palette or the terminal.
For JavaScript, Code Lens shows inline references to functions and variables, making it easier to see where they are used. Enable it in settings under Editor: Code Lens.
To make nested code easier to read, enable bracket pair colorization. This can be done by adding "editor.bracketPairColorization.enabled": true to your settings.json file.
VS Code allows you to configure settings specific to your project by adding a .vscode folder with settings.json inside your project directory. This is useful for maintaining consistent settings across team members.
{
"editor.tabSize": 2,
"files.exclude": {
"**/.git": true,
"**/.DS_Store": true
}
}
VS Code's Remote Development extensions let you work with code on remote machines or in containers. You can use the Remote - SSH extension to connect to a remote server or Remote - Containers to develop inside Docker containers. This is excellent for maintaining a consistent dev environment.
You can sync your settings, extensions, and keyboard shortcuts across different devices using Settings Sync. Enable it from the gear icon in the bottom left, then "Turn on Settings Sync..." and sign in with your GitHub or Microsoft account.
Mastering keyboard shortcuts can significantly boost your productivity. Here are a few more handy ones:
Explore these extensions to further enhance your productivity:
The REST Client extension allows you to make HTTP requests directly from VS Code and view the responses. Create a .http or .rest file and write your requests:
GET https://api.github.com/users/octocat
Run the request by clicking "Send Request" above the request line.
Polacode is an extension that lets you create beautiful code snapshots. You can use it to generate images of your code for documentation or sharing. Simply select the code, right-click, and select "Polacode: Open" to capture the snapshot.
For front-end developers, CSS Peek allows you to view CSS definitions directly in your HTML file by hovering over class names or IDs.
GitLens supercharges the built-in Git capabilities by providing insights into your repository. It shows who changed a line of code and when, helps with navigating through commit history, and even offers inline blame annotations.
Depending on your tech stack, there are specific snippets and extensions you might find useful:
VS Code supports Jupyter Notebooks, making it an excellent tool for data science and machine learning projects. Install the Jupyter extension to create, edit, and run Jupyter notebooks directly in the editor.
If you're working with Docker, the Docker extension is invaluable. It allows you to build, manage, and deploy containerized applications directly from VS Code. You can view containers, images, and registries all from the sidebar.
VS Code has built-in support for Markdown. You can preview Markdown files by opening the file and pressing Ctrl + Shift + V (or Cmd + Shift + V on Mac). This is great for writing documentation or README files.
VS Code introduces Workspace Trust, which allows you to control the level of trust you assign to the files within a workspace. This is especially useful when working with code from unknown sources, ensuring your environment remains secure.
For those times when you need to focus, Zen Mode provides a distraction-free coding environment. Enter Zen Mode by pressing Ctrl + K Z (or Cmd + K Z on Mac). This hides all toolbars and panels, leaving you with just your code.
Efficiently navigate your codebase with features like:
The Project Manager extension helps you manage and switch between multiple projects. It allows you to save your current project, list your recent projects, and quickly switch between them.
Avoid embarrassing typos in your code and comments with the Code Spell Checker extension. It highlights spelling errors and offers suggestions, making your documentation and variable names more professional.
Visualize your repository’s commit history with the Git Graph extension. It provides a graphical representation of your branches, commits, and merges, making it easier to understand the flow of your project.
VS Code has powerful diffing capabilities. You can compare files or view changes by selecting a file and pressing Ctrl + D (or Cmd + D on Mac). This is useful for reviewing changes before committing or resolving merge conflicts.
The CodeMetrics extension provides complexity metrics for your code, helping you identify areas that might need refactoring. It shows the cognitive complexity of functions and classes, making it easier to maintain clean and efficient code.
You can customize your keybindings to suit your workflow. Open the keybindings editor with Ctrl + K Ctrl + S (or Cmd + K Cmd + S on Mac) and modify existing shortcuts or create new ones.
VS Code offers powerful file and code navigation capabilities:
These extensions are particularly useful for HTML and JSX development. Auto Close Tag automatically closes tags as you type, while Auto Rename Tag synchronizes changes between the opening and closing tags.
Install extensions tailored to your specific project needs. For example, if you're working on a Python project, the Python extension provides a comprehensive set of tools including IntelliSense, linting, and debugging. For a Java project, consider the Java Extension Pack.
These tips should keep you busy for a while and supercharge your VS Code setup. Enjoy exploring all these features and happy coding, dude!
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