23 lesser known VS Code shortcuts as GIFs

Despite the many shortcuts that I use frequently in VS Code, the shortcuts I mention below can come in handy, but I often forget that they even exist. I made some GIFs for visualization to better remember them.

Every command in VS Code can also be executed via command prompt with CTRL+SHIFT+P and a search query; however, knowing the direct shortcut might be faster.

I use VS Code on Windows in the GIFs, but I also provide a table showing the shortcut for each command in both Windows and Mac.

1. CTRL+, = Open user settings

Windows	Mac
CTRL+,	⌘+,

Once in a while, I need to adjust my user preferences. This is how you would open them directly.

2. CTRL+K   CTRL+S = Show shortcuts

Windows	Mac
CTRL+K	⌘+K
CTRL+S	⌘+S

This is the complete list of shortcuts in VS Code. There is also a Windows Cheat-Sheet [PDF] and MacOS Cheat-Sheet [PDF] available to download.

3. CTRL+R = Switch workspace

Windows	Mac
CTRL+R	⌘+R

This opens a list of your recent workspaces and is a super-fast way to switch to another folder or project. Note that this will kill your current terminal session if you had a terminal open in your VS Code workspace.

4. ALT+Z = Toggle word wrap

Windows	Mac
ALT+Z	⌥+Z

A handy little helper when you quickly want to see complete lines without scrolling horizontally.

5. CTRL+G = Go to line

Windows	Mac
CTRL+G	^+G

This is the shortcut for typing CTRL+P   :.

6. CTRL+P = Go to file

Windows	Mac
CTRL+P	⌘+P

The fastest way to switch files (especially when they are not already open) without using the mouse.

7. F8 = Go to next error or warning

Windows	Mac
F8	F8

This is debugging with a single key. You can also go to previous errors or warnings using SHIFT+F8.

8. CTRL+TAB = Switch tabs

Windows	Mac
CTRL+TAB	^+TAB

The fastest way to switch already open files without using the mouse.

9. SHIFT+ALT+I = Insert cursor at the end of each line selected

Windows	Mac
SHIFT+ALT+I	⇧+⌥+I

This is useful for a quick creation of multiple cursors in a selected area.

10. CTRL+L = Select current line

Windows	Mac
CTRL+L	⌘+L

Use this to search for identical lines in combination with the next shortcut.

11. CTRL+SHIFT+L = Select all occurrences of current selection

Windows	Mac
CTRL+SHIFT+L	⇧+⌘+L

This shortcut really saves time because you don’t have to CTRL+D through a whole file.

12. CTRL+F2 = Select all occurrences of current word

Windows	Mac
CTRL+F2	⌘+F2

With this, you don’t have to select something anymore. Instead, just place the cursor on the word that you would like to select all occurrences of.

13. CTRL+SHIFT+SPACE = Trigger parameter hints

Windows	Mac
CTRL+SHIFT+SPACE	⇧+⌘+SPACE

In case you don’t remember parameter order and don’t want to interrupt your flow by looking into the docs.

14. SHIFT+ALT+F = Format document

Windows	Mac
SHIFT+ALT+F	⇧+⌥+F

Because nobody wants to format a whole file manually.

15. CTRL+K   CTRL+F = Format selection

Windows	Mac
CTRL+K	⌘+K
CTRL+F	⌘+F

In case you only want to format some parts of a file.

16. F12 = Go to definition

Windows	Mac
F12	F12

The quick way to jump to the definition of a variable or function.

17. ALT+F12 = Peek at definition

Windows	Mac
ALT+F12	⌥+F12

This just shows the corresponding definition of a variable or function without moving the cursor.

18. F2 = Rename symbol

Windows	Mac
F2	F2

An indispensable shortcut for refactoring code.

19. CTRL+K   CTRL+X = Trim trailing whitespace

Windows	Mac
CTRL+K	⌘+K
CTRL+X	⌘+X

This is especially useful for multi-line selections.

20. CTRL+K   R = Reveal active file in Explorer

Windows	Mac
CTRL+K   R	⌘+K   R

In case you want to perform some actions out of your systems file manager instead of using VS Code.

21. CTRL+SHIFT+H = Replace in files

Windows	Mac
CTRL+SHIFT+H	⇧+⌘+H

If only one file at a time isn’t enough for you.

22. CTRL+K   V = Open Markdown preview to the side

Windows	Mac
CTRL+K   V	⌘+K   V

This way you don’t have to switch to the mouse to open a preview.

23. CTRL+K   Z = Enter Zen mode

Windows	Mac
CTRL+K   Z	⌘+K   Z

Instantly code, distraction-free. To exit Zen mode, hit ESC ESC.

So that’s it for now. I maintain a repository on GitHub where I collect commands I tend to forget - check it out if you want.

Happy Coding!

---

Edited: 7th January 2019 (add MacOS shortcuts)
Published: 7th January 2019 by Andreas Müller on dev.to
Cover Image: https://codepen.io/devmount/full/ExaQjdm