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

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License: Creative Commons-Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 (CC-BY-SA 4.0)

23 lesser known VS Code shortcuts as GIFs

1. CTRL+, = Open user settings

2. CTRL+K CTRL+S = Show shortcuts

3. CTRL+R = Switch workspace

4. ALT+Z = Toggle word wrap

5. CTRL+G = Go to line

6. CTRL+P = Go to file

7. F8 = Go to next error or warning

8. CTRL+TAB = Switch tabs

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

10. CTRL+L = Select current line

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

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

13. CTRL+SHIFT+SPACE = Trigger parameter hints

14. SHIFT+ALT+F = Format document

15. CTRL+K CTRL+F = Format selection

16. F12 = Go to definition

17. ALT+F12 = Peek at definition

18. F2 = Rename symbol

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

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

21. CTRL+SHIFT+H = Replace in files

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

23. CTRL+K Z = Enter Zen mode