TOP 20 VS Code shortcuts: Windows Edition
Tags: development, programming, vscode, coding
Published: 2020-03-18 08:51:57

---
title: TOP 20 VS Code shortcuts: Windows Edition
published: true
description: Top 20 most used Visual Studio Code shortcuts
tags: development, programming, vscode, coding
---
Here is the guide for [mac](https://dev.to/jmir17/top-20-vs-code-shortcuts-mac-edition-25h8) and [linux](https://dev.to/jmir17/top-20-vs-code-shortcuts-linux-edition-bo9)

<img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/1*EOPCay4ML76rIUskd6ZwRg.png" alt="VS Code logo" />

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](https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/9792-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](https://code.visualstudio.com/shortcuts/keyboard-shortcuts-windows.pdf), here is a compilation of the most used (by me) shortcuts that you(I) should remember first:

Here is the list of TOP 25 shortcuts, with images:
**1- Command Paletter:** `Ctrl+Shift+P`
<img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/0*Do-vQH_TL2Ytcpdx.gif"/>

**2- Quick file open:** `Ctrl+P`
<img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/0*8h7eTAArvKSKpig1.gif"/>

**3- Errors and warnings:** `Ctrl+Shift+M`
navigate trhough errors with `F8` or `Shift+F8`
<img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/0*c6Re1ZErY2aZEVzh.gif"/>

**4- Toggle Terminal:** `Ctrl+backtick`
<img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/0*KFh2Mcob_njA0f86.png"/>

**5- Toggle Sidebar:** `Ctrl+B`
<img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/0*5zbArnjBdorrS7ZX.gif"/>

**6- Zen mode:** `Ctrl+K Z`
Exit with `Esc` `Esc`
<img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/0*BKju5evLKsEJmvt-.gif"/>

**7- Open new tab:** `Ctrl+\`
<img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/0*Rd1Avwy3Yz5WmbnH.gif"/>

**8- Switch tabs:** `Ctrl+1`, `Ctrl+2`, `Ctrl+3`
<img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/0*vVhFZ1NsV6MYBE_w.gif"/>

**9- Multicursor selection:** `Alt+Click` or `Ctrl+Alt+Up` / `Ctrl+Alt+Down`
<img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/0*DIDuGeDyaJWSZSaW.gif"/>

**10- Next occurence selection:** `Ctrl+D`
<img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/0*snC0Gs_gzK3SEeeR.gif"/>

**11- Select current line:** `Ctrl+L`
<img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/1*ssLuoIcVxmIEpiJir92UWA.png"/>

**12- Expand / shrink selection:** `Shift+Alt+Left` or `Shift+Alt+Right`
<img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/0*eCt1LbXOIdZ0WqCr.gif"/>

**13- Copy line up / down:** `Shift+Alt+Up` or `Shift+Alt+Down`
<img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/0*QGVZ3QVjWtCngpqk.gif"/>

**14- Move line up and down:** `Alt+Up` or `Alt+Down`
<img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/0*scf5qlNiFBkiqsD7.gif"/>

**15- Code format:** `Shift+Alt+F`
<img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/0*RUSWOVIqZ5ZnfLYX.gif"/>

**16- Go to definition:** `F12` or `Ctrl+click`
<img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/0*du3qPGlPesodomrf.gif"/>

**17- Go to references:** `Shift+F12`
<img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/0*P7BQ3tUWG9kZ4mUL.gif"/>

**18- Peek definition:** `Alt+F12`
<img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/0*efzn6D94h7Kxb6PK.gif"/>

**19- Navigation history:** `Ctrl+Tab`
Navigate back and forward `Alt+Left` and `Alt+Right`
<img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/0*vLiMwLCti0JjBhC_.gif"/>

**20- Rename:** `F2`
<img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/0*WU-sZsBuc_zAwNhU.gif"/>

**Extra:** Configrue autosave
open settings `Ctrl+,` and search for autosave
<img src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/1*cNSl9TI-dUYNvug_2OfZtg.png"/>

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.