Visual Studio Code Extensions for .Net development
Tags: dotnet, csharp, vscode
Published: 2021-02-21 13:43:20

In this article will be showing you some nice extensions that you can incorporate in Visual Studio Code to boost your productivity and make Vs code a little bit better

You can watch the full video on Youtube
{% youtube vj08u89hcyA %}

So what are we going to cover today:

- Some aesthetic extensions
- Some C# extensions
- Some Miscellaneous extensions
- Extra bits

## Visual Studio Code extensions

## Aesthetic Extensions

**Themes**:

cmd + shift + p ⇒ Color theme

- Winter is Coming Theme: (https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=johnpapa.winteriscoming)
- Nord: (https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=arcticicestudio.nord-visual-studio-code)
- Dracula Official: (https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=dracula-theme.theme-dracula)
- Night Owl (My current Favourite): (https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=sdras.night-owl)

**Icons**:

cmd + shift + p ⇒ File icons theme

These icon pack will replace the default ones that comes with visual studio and makes it nicer to use. This will help you identify files way quicker 

- vscode-icons: (https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=vscode-icons-team.vscode-icons)
- Material Theme Icons: (https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=Equinusocio.vsc-material-theme-icons)

## C# Extensions

- **C# Visual Studio Code (powered by OmniSharp)**: This is the main extension that you will need for any C# development from console application to WebApi (https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ms-dotnettools.csharp)
- **C# Extensions**: which will allow you to create classes and interfaces really quickly as well initialise constructor parameters (https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=jchannon.csharpextensions)
- **Auto-Using for C#**: this nice extension will automatically include all of the using statements for the libraries and extension function that you might be using (https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=Fudge.auto-using)

## Miscellaneous Extensions

**Bracket Pair colorizer:**

(https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=CoenraadS.bracket-pair-colorizer)

This will save you all the stress, when it comes to dealing with painful source code specifically spaghetti code.

When working with Javascript, it’s hard to match up the brackets with each other. This is a must have for every Javascript file no matter how small it is.

**Auto-Close Tag**

(https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=formulahendry.auto-close-tag)

Having this extension is a must. Auto close tag will save you a lot of headaches and will do some heavy lifting in tidying up the code, `<div></div>`

What it does is automatically add the closing bracket of the opening tag you just added and then position the mouse cursor between the tags.

**Color Picker**

Thia color picker extension helps you to easily select colors within your CSS files. It will immediately be reflected or apply to the property that you are currently working on. It’s also available if you preferred to use RGBA colors.

(https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=anseki.vscode-color)

**Auto Rename Tag**

Do you need  to rename a tag, well your in luck. with Auto Rename Tag, you just need to rename either the opening or closing tag, and the other will be renamed automatically. Simple, but effective!

(https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=formulahendry.auto-rename-tag)

## GIT

**Git history:**

This extension is useful for viewing git log, file history and compare branches and commits

(https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=donjayamanne.githistory)

**Git Lense:**

It helps you to visualise code authorship at a glance via Git blame annotations and code lens, seamlessly navigate and explore Git repositories, gain valuable insights via powerful comparison commands, and so much more.

(https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=eamodio.gitlens)

## **Extra bits**

**Paste JSON as Code:** 

cmd + shift + p ⇒ set quick type language

cmd + shift + p ⇒ Open quick type for Json

this amazing extension will save alot of time when trying to convert your Json files into classes, it works with variety of languages and its a must have for any API development. (https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=quicktype.quicktype)

**Docker:**

Makes it easy to create, manage, and debug containerized applications.

(https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ms-azuretools.vscode-docker)

Please let me know in the comments down below, whats your favourite extensions and the one you most use.