Visual Studio Code – Keyboard Shortcuts (Windows)

The Command Palette gives you access to all of VS Code's functionality. Try it now:

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+P
2. Type "settings" to see all settings-related commands
3. Try "toggle word wrap" to quickly change the editor's wrapping behavior

This is the most powerful shortcut in VS Code!

Quickly navigate between files in your project:

1. Press Ctrl+P
2. Start typing a filename
3. Use arrow keys to select and press Enter to open
4. Add ":" and a line number to go directly to that line (e.g., "app.js:15")

You can also type ">" to access the Command Palette from here.

VS Code's settings are very powerful:

1. Press Ctrl+, to open Settings
2. Search for "font size" to adjust editor font
3. Click the "Open Settings (JSON)" icon to edit raw settings
4. Try changing "editor.wordWrap": "on"

Settings sync across devices if you're signed in.

Work with entire lines efficiently:

1. Place cursor anywhere on a line (no selection needed)
2. Press Ctrl+X to cut the entire line
3. Press Ctrl+V to paste it elsewhere
4. Try Ctrl+C to copy the line without cutting

This works even if you only have part of the line selected.

Rearrange code quickly:

1. Place cursor on any line
2. Press Alt+↓ to move it down
3. Press Alt+↑ to move it up
4. Try with multiple lines selected

VS Code will automatically fix indentation as you move lines.

Quickly navigate to any line in your file:

1. Press Ctrl+G
2. Type a line number (e.g., "42")
3. Press Enter to jump to that line
4. You can also type ":" first (e.g., ":42")

Combine with Ctrl+P to go to a specific line in another file.

Powerful search capabilities:

1. Press Ctrl+F to open find
2. Type your search term
3. Use F3/Shift+F3 to navigate matches
4. Click the "Aa" button for case sensitivity
5. Click the ".*" button for regex search

Press Alt+Enter to select all matches at once.

Edit multiple places at once:

1. Hold Alt and click in multiple locations
2. Type to add text at all cursor positions
3. Use Ctrl+U to undo cursor additions
4. Try with Ctrl+D to add cursors at matching words

This is incredibly powerful for repetitive edits.

VS Code's powerful code completion:

1. Start typing code (e.g., in JavaScript: "document.")
2. Press Ctrl+Space to trigger suggestions
3. Use arrows to navigate and Enter to select
4. Press Ctrl+Space again for details
5. Try Ctrl+I for parameter hints during function calls

Works for variables, methods, and even filenames in imports.

Work with multiple files side by side:

1. Open a file
2. Press Ctrl+\ to split the editor
3. Use Ctrl+P to open another file in the new pane
4. Press Ctrl+1/2 to switch between panes
5. Drag files between panes to reorganize

Great for comparing files or working on related code.

VS Code's built-in terminal is powerful:

1. Press Ctrl+` to toggle the terminal
2. Run commands like you would in a normal terminal
3. Press Ctrl+Shift+` to open additional terminals
4. Use the dropdown to switch between terminals
5. Try right-clicking in the terminal for more options

The terminal supports all your favorite shell commands.

VS Code's debugging capabilities:

1. Set breakpoints by clicking in the gutter
2. Press F5 to start debugging
3. Use F10 to step over
4. Use F11 to step into functions
5. Use Shift+F11 to step out
6. Hover over variables to see their values

The debug console shows output and lets you evaluate expressions.