VS Code Guides

Practical how-tos for Visual Studio Code, from first setup to Python environments, Git, debugging and AI assistants. Each guide answers one task in a few steps. The shortcut finder below lists the keys you’ll use most, for Windows, macOS and Linux.

By Bogdan Sandu Updated

Showing all 56 guides

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How to Compare Two Files in VS Code (Built-In Diff, No Extension)
How to Compare Two Files in VS Code (Built-In Diff, No Extension) Two files, a few hundred lines each, and the one change that actually matters is buried somewhere in there. Scanning both files…
 How to Preview Markdown in VSCode Instantly
How to Preview Markdown in VSCode Instantly You just wrote a README file. But does it actually look right? Learning how to preview Markdown in VSCode saves you from…
 How to Set Up VSCode for Python Development
How to Set Up VSCode for Python Development Most developers who set up VSCode for Python the wrong way spend weeks dealing with broken autocomplete, the wrong interpreter, and formatters…
 VS Code Extensions That Are Actually Worth Installing
VS Code Extensions That Are Actually Worth Installing Roughly three out of every four developers open Visual Studio Code to write code. Stack Overflow’s 2025 Developer Survey puts the exact…

VS Code shortcut finder

Switch the operating system to see the right keys, or filter by action. Where a guide covers the task in more depth, it’s linked in the last column.

ActionWindowsmacOSLinuxGuide
Open the Command PaletteCtrl+Shift+P⇧⌘PCtrl+Shift+P
Quick Open a file by nameCtrl+P⌘PCtrl+P
Open settingsCtrl+,⌘,Ctrl+,VS Code settings to change
Show or hide the integrated terminalCtrl+`⌃`Ctrl+`Integrated terminal guide
Toggle the side barCtrl+B⌘BCtrl+B
Toggle line commentCtrl+/⌘/Ctrl+/How to comment in VS Code
Toggle block commentShift+Alt+A⇧⌥ACtrl+Shift+AHow to comment in VS Code
Indent the lineCtrl+]⌘]Ctrl+]Indent multiple lines
Outdent the lineCtrl+[⌘[Ctrl+[Indent multiple lines
Format the documentShift+Alt+F⇧⌥FCtrl+Shift+IHow to format code
FindCtrl+F⌘FCtrl+FFind and replace
ReplaceCtrl+H⌥⌘FCtrl+HFind and replace
Search across filesCtrl+Shift+F⇧⌘FCtrl+Shift+FFind and replace
Go to a line numberCtrl+G⌃GCtrl+G
Add the next match to the selectionCtrl+D⌘DCtrl+D
Add a cursor aboveCtrl+Alt+Up⌥⌘↑Shift+Alt+Up
Add a cursor belowCtrl+Alt+Down⌥⌘↓Shift+Alt+Down
Move the line upAlt+Up⌥↑Alt+Up
Move the line downAlt+Down⌥↓Alt+Down
Copy the line downShift+Alt+Down⇧⌥↓Ctrl+Shift+Alt+Down
Toggle word wrapAlt+Z⌥ZAlt+Z
Rename a symbolF2F2F2
Go to definitionF12F12F12
Start debuggingF5F5F5Debug Python in VS Code
Open Markdown preview to the sideCtrl+K V⌘K VCtrl+K VPreview Markdown
Toggle Zen modeCtrl+K Z⌘K ZCtrl+K ZExit Zen mode
Zoom inCtrl+=⌘=Ctrl+=Zoom in VS Code
Zoom outCtrl+-⌘-Ctrl+-Zoom in VS Code

Default keybindings from the official VS Code keyboard reference, for a US English layout. Open Help > Keyboard Shortcut Reference in VS Code for the full list, or see the VS Code keyboard shortcuts article.

Getting started

8

Install VS Code, open it from the terminal, and set it up the way you like before you write any code.

What is VSCode? Essential Features UncoveredThree out of four professional developers use the same code editor. If you’re wondering what is VSCode and why it dominates every…21 min read Updated How to Install VSCode on Ubuntu: Step-by-StepVisual Studio Code runs on pretty much everything. But getting it onto Ubuntu? That trips up more people than you’d expect. Learning…9 min read Updated How to Open VSCode from Terminal CommandsClicking through menus to launch your code editor wastes time you could spend writing code. Learning how to open VSCode from terminal…10 min read Updated VSCode Settings You Should Change Right AwayMost developers install Visual Studio Code, open it, and start coding without touching a single setting. That works, until it doesn’t. VSCode…19 min read Updated How to Open settings.json in VS Code (3 Ways That Always Work)Visual Studio and VS Code passed 50 million monthly active developers in 2025, according to Microsoft. That’s a lot of people staring…15 min read Updated VS Code Extensions That Are Actually Worth InstallingRoughly three out of every four developers open Visual Studio Code to write code. Stack Overflow’s 2025 Developer Survey puts the exact…18 min read Updated VS Code Keyboard ShortcutsUnlock the full potential of Visual Studio Code with our comprehensive guide on essential VS Code keyboard shortcuts. This article dives deep…7 min read Updated How to Close a Folder in VSCode GuideYou just finished a project. Now you need a clean workspace. Learning how to close a folder in VSCode sounds simple, but…8 min read Updated

Editing and navigation

7

Commenting, indenting, searching and comparing files: the editing tasks that come up every day.

How to Comment in VSCode: Single Line, Block, and Multi-LineDevelopers spend close to 70% of their time reading code rather than writing it, according to the widely cited study by Minelli,…17 min read Updated How to Indent Multiple Lines in VSCodeMessy indentation kills code readability. Learning how to indent multiple lines in VSCode takes about two minutes and saves hours of manual…10 min read Updated How to Find and Replace in VSCode EasilyRenaming a variable across 50 files by hand? That’s a waste of time. Learning how to find and replace in VSCode turns…11 min read Updated How to Compare Two Files in VS Code (Built-In Diff, No Extension)Two files, a few hundred lines each, and the one change that actually matters is buried somewhere in there. Scanning both files…18 min read Updated How to Preview Markdown in VSCode InstantlyYou just wrote a README file. But does it actually look right? Learning how to preview Markdown in VSCode saves you from…8 min read Updated How to Turn Off Autocomplete in VS CodeVS Code’s autocomplete isn’t one switch. It’s three overlapping systems, and most guides only show you how to silence one of them.…18 min read Updated How to Enable Error Squiggles in VSCodeYou’re typing code. No red underlines. No warnings. Everything looks fine until you hit run and watch it crash. Learning how to…10 min read Updated

Formatting and appearance

6

Keep code consistent with formatters, and adjust fonts, zoom and layout so the editor is comfortable to read.

How to Format Code in VSCode Like a ProMessy code slows you down. Inconsistent indentation, random spacing, misaligned brackets. It all adds up. Learning how to format code in VSCode…8 min read Updated How to Autoformat in VSCode EffortlesslyMessy code slows you down. Inconsistent indentation, random spacing, and misaligned brackets make debugging harder than it needs to be. Learning how…8 min read Updated How to Use Prettier in VSCode to Format CodeMessy code slows you down. Inconsistent indentation, mixed quotes, random spacing. It adds up. Learning how to use Prettier in VSCode fixes…10 min read Updated How to Change the Font in VS Code (Editor, Terminal, and UI)Microsoft said in May 2025 that Visual Studio and VS Code combined had crossed 50 million monthly active developers. That number covers…17 min read Updated How to Zoom In VSCode for Better VisibilitySquinting at tiny code on a 4K monitor? You need to learn how to zoom in VSCode. Visual Studio Code defaults to…8 min read Updated How to Exit Zen Mode in VSCode QuicklyStuck in a minimalist void with no visible menus? You need to know how to exit Zen mode in VSCode. Zen mode…8 min read Updated

Terminal and remote work

3

Use the built-in terminal and work on remote machines over SSH without leaving the editor.

VSCode Integrated Terminal: Complete GuideMost developers open a separate terminal window out of habit. The VSCode terminal makes that unnecessary. Built directly into Visual Studio Code,…19 min read Updated How to Open Terminal in VSCode: A GuideSwitching between your code editor and a separate terminal window kills momentum. Every context switch costs you focus. Learning how to open…8 min read Updated How to Use VSCode With Remote SSHYour local machine shouldn’t be the bottleneck for your development workflow. VSCode Remote SSH lets you run your entire development environment on…15 min read Updated

Python in VS Code

11

Pick an interpreter, manage pip and virtual environments, and run, test and debug Python code.

How to Set Up VSCode for Python DevelopmentMost developers who set up VSCode for Python the wrong way spend weeks dealing with broken autocomplete, the wrong interpreter, and formatters…19 min read Updated How to Run Python in VSCode SmoothlyYou’ve installed Python. You’ve downloaded VSCode. Now what? Learning how to run Python in VSCode takes about 5 minutes, but those 5…9 min read Updated How to Change Python Interpreter in VSCodeWrong Python version running your code? That error probably traces back to your interpreter setting. Learning how to change Python interpreter in…9 min read Updated How to Install Pip on VSCodeYou just installed Python, opened VSCode, and typed pip install. Nothing happened. Figuring out how to install pip on VSCode trips up…9 min read Updated pip is not recognized in VS Code: Why It Happens and How to Fix Itpip is not recognized in VS Code shows up more than almost any other Python terminal error, and most of the time…16 min read Updated How to Activate Venv in VSCode for PythonYour Python packages are installing globally. Again. Learning how to activate venv in VSCode prevents dependency conflicts and keeps your projects clean.…9 min read Updated How to Exit Venv in VSCode Step-by-StepYou activated your Python virtual environment. Now you’re stuck in it. Knowing how to exit venv in VSCode is a basic skill…9 min read Updated How to Install Matplotlib in VSCodeYou wrote the code. Now you need to see the data. Learning how to install matplotlib in VSCode takes about 3 minutes…8 min read Updated How to Comment Out Multiple Lines in Python VSCodeDebugging would be painful without comments. Knowing how to comment out multiple lines in Python in VSCode turns a tedious task into…8 min read Updated How to Debug Python in VSCode for BeginnersPrint statements will only get you so far. Learning how to debug Python in VSCode gives you real visibility into your code…11 min read Updated How to Run Pytest in VSCode for TestingRunning tests manually gets old fast. Learning how to run pytest in VSCode transforms your testing workflow from tedious command-line repetition into…11 min read Updated

Other languages

5

Run and debug JavaScript, TypeScript, Java, R and React projects.

How to Run JavaScript in VSCode in MinutesVS Code doesn’t run JavaScript on its own. That surprises a lot of people. Learning how to run JavaScript in VS Code…17 min read Updated How to Run TypeScript in VSCode: Quick GuideTypeScript doesn’t run on its own. That’s the first thing most tutorials skip. Learning how to run TypeScript in VSCode means understanding…19 min read Updated How to Run Java in VSCode: A Step-by-Step GuideSetting up Java in VS Code takes less than 10 minutes, but only if you know exactly what to install and why.…19 min read Updated How to Use R in VSCode for Data ScienceRStudio works fine. But it is not the only option anymore. Learning how to use R in VSCode opens up a flexible,…10 min read Updated How to Debug React App in VSCode EasilyConsole.log debugging wastes time. Learning how to debug React app in VSCode gives you breakpoints, variable inspection, and step-through execution that actually…12 min read Updated

Git and GitHub

2

Connect VS Code to GitHub and work with repositories from the Source Control view.

How to Connect VSCode to GitHub EasilyYour code deserves better than living on one machine. Learning how to connect VSCode to GitHub takes about 10 minutes and changes…10 min read Updated How to Connect to a GitHub Repository From VS CodeMost Git errors happen before you write a single line of code. Knowing how to connect to a GitHub repository from VS…23 min read Updated

AI coding assistants

6

Set up, use and switch off the AI assistants that run inside VS Code.

How to Use Copilot in VS Code: Beginner’s GuideMost developers waste the first hour of their day on boilerplate. GitHub Copilot fixes that. This guide on how to use Copilot…20 min read Updated How to Use GitHub Copilot in VSCode Like a ProAI now writes nearly half of the code developers ship. That number keeps climbing. Knowing how to use GitHub Copilot in VS…21 min read Updated How to Open Copilot Chat in VS CodeMost developers know GitHub Copilot exists. Far fewer know there are actually six different ways to open Copilot Chat in VS Code,…21 min read Updated How to Disable GitHub Copilot in VS CodeGitHub Copilot writes nearly half your code automatically. Sometimes, that is exactly the problem. Knowing how to disable GitHub Copilot in VS…19 min read Updated How to Use Codex in VS CodeMost developers searching for how to use Codex in VS Code hit a wall fast: the name means 3 different things depending…23 min read Updated How to Use Claude Code in VS CodeMost AI coding tools make you faster at typing. Claude Code makes you faster at shipping. Knowing how to use Claude Code…26 min read Updated

VS Code vs other editors

7

Head-to-head comparisons for when you’re deciding between VS Code and another editor or IDE.

Notepad++ vs VS Code: Best Text Editor for DevelopersNobody picks between Notepad++ and VS Code because of price. Both are free, so whatever argument breaks out over it is really…16 min read Updated Sublime Text vs VS Code: Speed, Extensions, and When Each WinsSublime Text vs VS Code comes up in pretty much every “best code editor” thread on Reddit or Hacker News, and it…14 min read Updated VSCode vs PyCharm: Which IDE WinsYour choice of Python IDE shapes how fast you write code, how often you hit walls, and how much time you lose…17 min read Updated VSCode vs IntelliJ: Best IDE for Java Devs?Your IDE choice shapes how fast you write code, how deep your tooling goes, and how much you pay for it. The…19 min read Updated WebStorm vs VSCode: Which Editor Should You Use?Picking between WebStorm vs VSCode comes down to one question: do you want a fully loaded IDE or a lightweight editor you…21 min read Updated Eclipse vs VSCode: Which IDE Should You Choose?The Eclipse vs VSCode debate comes down to one thing: what you actually build every day. One is a full integrated development…18 min read Updated Cursor vs VS Code: What Actually Changes When You SwitchSpaceX agreed to pay roughly $60 billion for Anysphere in June 2026. Anysphere is the company behind Cursor, the code editor it…18 min read Updated

More VS Code articles

1

The newest articles in this topic that aren’t listed in a section above yet.

How to Run a React App in VS Code Step by StepOpen the project folder in VS Code, run npm install in the integrated terminal, then start the dev server. That last command…16 min read Updated

Frequently asked questions

Is VS Code free?

Yes. Visual Studio Code is free for personal and commercial use. Its source code is open source under the MIT license, and the builds you download from Microsoft come under a Microsoft product license.

What is the difference between VS Code and Visual Studio?

VS Code is a lightweight, cross-platform code editor that you extend with extensions for each language. Visual Studio is Microsoft’s full IDE for Windows, built mainly for .NET and C++ development.

Which operating systems does VS Code run on?

VS Code runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and most keyboard shortcuts differ only in the modifier key. Use the shortcut finder on this page to switch between the three.

How do I open the Command Palette?

Press Ctrl+Shift+P on Windows and Linux, or Cmd+Shift+P on macOS. F1 also opens it. Almost every VS Code command can be run from there by typing its name.

Why does VS Code say pip is not recognized?

Usually because the Python installation isn’t on your PATH, or because VS Code is using a different interpreter from the one where pip is installed. Selecting the right interpreter and running pip as python -m pip fixes most cases.

These guides are written by Bogdan Sandu and published by TMS Outsource, a custom software development company founded in 2014, with engineering offices in Belgrade and Bucharest. If you need a team to build or extend a web or mobile product, see our software development services or get in touch.