TOP 20 VS Code shortcuts: Linux Edition

Josep Mir
4 min readMar 18, 2020

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Here is the guide for windows and mac

Just as many of you, I have been working with Visual Studio Code for a long while now in projects using languages like Python, Javascript, Typescript,… With no doubts it is a great tool, but I have the feeling that I am not as productive as when I am working with Java using IntelliJ IDEA. Why is that?

The biggest difference is that I learnt most of the shortcuts that I need in intellij, so I barely use the mouse when programming, and that for me makes a huge difference. In intelliJ there is a great plugin called Key Promoter X that tells you the shortcuts for every action you do that could have been done with a shortcut, it is super easy to learn and remember the most used shortcuts. I couldn’t find any plugin like this for VS Code, if it exists, please, please, PLEASE, let me know in the comments!

As I know it is hard to go and check from time to time the cheat sheet of VS Code shortcuts, here is a compilation of the most used (by me) shortcuts that you(I) should remember first:

Here is the list of TOP 20 shortcuts, with images:

1- Command Palette: Ctrl+Shift+P

2- Quick file open: Ctrl+P

3- Errors and warnings: Toggle window Ctrl+Shift+M
navigate trhough errors with F8or Shift+F8

4- Toggle Terminal: Ctrl+`

5- Toggle Sidebar: Ctrl+B

6- Zen mode: Ctrl+K Z
Exit with Esc Esc

7- Open new tab: Ctrl+\

8- Switch tabs: Ctrl+1, Ctrl+2, Ctrl+3

9- Multicursor selection: Alt+Click or Ctrl+Alt+Up / Ctrl+Alt+Down

10- Next occurence selection: Ctrl+D

11- Select current line: Ctrl+L

12- Expand / shrink selection: Shift+Alt+Left or Shift+Alt+Right

13- Copy line up / down: Ctrl+Shift+Alt+Up or Ctrl+Shift+Alt+Down

14- Move line up and down: Alt+Up or Alt+Down

15- Document code format: Ctrl+Shift+I

16- Go to definition: F12 or Ctrl+click

17- Go to references: Shift+F12

18- Peek definition: Ctrl+Shift+F10

19- Navigation history:Ctrl+Tab
Navigate back and forward Ctrl+Alt+- and Ctrl+Shift+-

20- Rename: F2

Extra: Configrue autosave
open settings Ctrl+, and search for autosave

Just as knowing the language and the paradigm you are working is a must, knowing the tools you are using in order to work effectively is also a important. It makes a difference.

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Josep Mir
Josep Mir

Written by Josep Mir

Software engineer as a profession, frustrated musician as a hobby, casual sportsman and social drinker in my free time. My personal blog: https://mirdevs.com

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