Practical examples of essential keyboard shortcuts for Visual Studio Code

Real-world examples of essential keyboard shortcuts for Visual Studio Code

Let’s skip the theory and jump straight into real examples of essential keyboard shortcuts for Visual Studio Code that developers actually lean on all day. I’ll show the Windows/Linux combo first, then macOS in parentheses.

• Command Palette: Ctrl+Shift+P (Cmd+Shift+P on macOS)
• Quick Open File: Ctrl+P (Cmd+P)
• Toggle Terminal: Ctrl+` (Cmd+`)
• Multi-cursor selection: Alt+Click (Option+Click)
• Rename Symbol: F2
• Format Document: Shift+Alt+F (Shift+Option+F)
• Go to Definition: F12
• Toggle Sidebar: Ctrl+B (Cmd+B)

Those are the best examples to start with because they touch almost every part of your workflow: commands, navigation, editing, refactoring, and layout. Now let’s walk through how these shortcuts play out in real coding sessions.

Examples include navigation shortcuts that keep your hands on the keyboard

Navigation is where you feel the payoff immediately. Here are specific examples of essential keyboard shortcuts for Visual Studio Code that replace constant mouse movement.

Jumping between files at the speed of thought

You’re fixing a bug that touches three files: a React component, a shared hook, and a test file.

• Hit Ctrl+P / Cmd+P and start typing the file name, like UserProfile.tsx.
• Without touching the mouse, press Enter to open it.
• Need the test file? Same shortcut, type UserProfile.test.tsx, hit Enter.

This is a textbook example of essential keyboard shortcuts for Visual Studio Code making file navigation feel almost like using a fuzzy-searching command line. In large monorepos that are now common in 2024, this shortcut alone can save minutes per hour.

Moving around inside a file

When you’re working in a 500-line file (it happens), the mouse scroll wheel is a slow way to move.

Use:

• Ctrl+G / Cmd+G to jump to a specific line number. If your test output says “error on line 217,” just type Ctrl+G, then 217, then Enter.
• Ctrl+Shift+O / Cmd+Shift+O to jump directly to a symbol in the current file (function, class, etc.). Start typing the function name and jump there instantly.

These are quiet workhorse shortcuts. They’re not flashy, but if you want real examples of essential keyboard shortcuts for Visual Studio Code that you’ll use 50 times a day, this pair is it.

Navigating definitions and references

Modern codebases are a maze of imports, types, and helper functions.

• Place your cursor on a function or variable and press F12 to Go to Definition.
• Use Shift+F12 to show all References.
• Tap Alt+Left / Alt+Right (Ctrl+– / Ctrl+Shift+– on macOS) to go Back/Forward in your navigation history.

A realistic example: you’re tracking a bug from a React component prop through a service layer into a database call. Go to definition, jump through a few files, then hop back in history once you’ve understood the flow. This is one of the best examples of how shortcuts turn VS Code into a code browser instead of a basic editor.

Editing and selection: the best examples for speeding up daily coding

If you only adopt a few shortcuts, make them editing shortcuts. They give you instant returns on every keystroke.

Multi-cursor and block editing

Imagine you renamed an API field from user_id to userId in several adjacent lines. You could:

• Use the mouse to edit each line, or
• Use multi-cursor shortcuts:
  • Alt+Click / Option+Click to place multiple cursors.
  • Ctrl+Alt+Down / Ctrl+Alt+Up (Option+Cmd+Down / Option+Cmd+Up) to add cursors on the lines above or below.
  • Ctrl+D / Cmd+D to select the next occurrence of the current word.

Real example: highlight user_id, press Ctrl+D three times, and type userId once to update all four usages. This is a clear example of essential keyboard shortcuts for Visual Studio Code that directly replaces repetitive editing.

Moving and copying lines without cutting and pasting

You’re rearranging a block of code or reordering CSS rules.

• Alt+Up / Alt+Down (Option+Up / Option+Down) moves the current line or selected block up or down.
• Add Shift (so Shift+Alt+Up/Down) to copy the line or block instead of moving it.

It sounds trivial until you’ve used it for a week. Then dragging lines with a mouse feels ancient.

Commenting and formatting on autopilot

Two shortcuts you should absolutely internalize:

• Toggle line comment: Ctrl+/ (Cmd+/)
• Format document: Shift+Alt+F (Shift+Option+F)

Real example: you’re debugging a gnarly function. Instead of manually adding and removing // everywhere, keep your cursor on a line (or select a block) and hit Ctrl+/ to comment or uncomment instantly.

Formatting is even more important in 2024–2025, when teams rely heavily on Prettier, ESLint, and language servers for consistent style. One tap of Shift+Alt+F (with the right formatter configured) standardizes indentation, spacing, and quotes. That’s not just aesthetics; it cuts down on noisy diffs in Git and code review churn.

Command Palette and search: examples include power tools hiding in plain sight

The Command Palette is VS Code’s brain.

Command Palette as your universal menu

Press Ctrl+Shift+P / Cmd+Shift+P and start typing what you want:

• “Git: Commit” to commit changes.
• “Preferences: Open Settings (JSON)” to tweak settings.
• “View: Toggle Word Wrap” to change layout.

This is the best example of a single shortcut unlocking hundreds of commands. Instead of memorizing everything, you memorize this one, then search for the rest.

Global search and replace across your project

Here’s a real example of essential keyboard shortcuts for Visual Studio Code that almost every developer uses:

• Press Ctrl+Shift+F / Cmd+Shift+F for Search across files.
• Type a function name, constant, or string to see every match in the workspace.
• Expand a result, and hit Enter to open that file at the right line.

For replacements:

• Use Ctrl+H / Cmd+H in the current file, or the Replace tab in the global search sidebar.

In a 2024 microservice setup with multiple repos open in a multi-root workspace, this shortcut is your radar. It’s a practical example of how VS Code scales beyond a single project folder.

Terminal and Git: real examples of shortcuts for modern workflows

Modern VS Code usage is terminal-heavy and Git-heavy. You don’t want to keep hunting for panels with the mouse.

Integrated terminal on tap

Press Ctrl+` (Cmd+`) to toggle the Integrated Terminal.

Real-world scenario: you’re running npm test --watch or pytest -k in the terminal while editing code above it. With this shortcut, you:

• Jump from editor to terminal.
• Check test output.
• Hit Up Arrow to re-run a command.
• Tap the shortcut again to get the terminal out of your way.

Add Ctrl+Shift+ (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+ (macOS) to create a new terminal instance, and you’re juggling server, tests, and tools without leaving VS Code.

Quick Git workflows

While there isn’t a single Git mega-shortcut, a few combinations are worth memorizing:

• Ctrl+Shift+G / Cmd+Shift+G to open the Source Control view.
• Use Tab and arrow keys to move between changed files.
• Press Enter to open a diff.

Pair that with the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P) and commands like “Git: Stage All Changes” or “Git: Create Branch,” and you have a fast, keyboard-first Git workflow.

In 2024–2025, with trunk-based development and frequent small commits, this is one of the best examples of essential keyboard shortcuts for Visual Studio Code paying off in real collaboration speed.

Refactoring and code intelligence: examples of shortcuts that keep code safe

VS Code has grown into a serious refactoring tool, especially with language servers and extensions.

Rename symbol without breaking everything

Place your cursor on a variable, function, or class name and press F2.

VS Code will:

• Highlight all usages of that symbol.
• Let you type a new name.
• Apply the change across the file or project, depending on language support.

Real example: renaming a TypeScript interface or a React component that’s imported in dozens of files. Manual find-and-replace is risky; F2 understands the syntax and symbol graph, making this a standout example of essential keyboard shortcuts for Visual Studio Code that protect you from subtle bugs.

Quick fixes and refactor suggestions

When you see a squiggly underline:

• Press Ctrl+. / Cmd+. to open the Quick Fix menu.

You’ll see options like:

• “Import from …” when a symbol is missing.
• “Convert to async function.”
• “Extract to method” or “Extract to constant” for refactors.

This shortcut pairs nicely with modern language tooling and AI extensions. You let the tools suggest the fix, and you confirm with the keyboard.

Layout and focus: examples of shortcuts that keep VS Code tidy

A cluttered layout slows you down more than you think. These are subtle but powerful examples of essential keyboard shortcuts for Visual Studio Code.

Toggling the sidebar and panels

When you need more horizontal space:

• Ctrl+B / Cmd+B toggles the Explorer sidebar.
• Ctrl+J / Cmd+J toggles the Panel (terminal, problems, output).

Real example: you’re working on a long line-heavy file (SQL, JSON, or deeply nested JSX). Hide the sidebar and panel, focus on the code, then bring them back when you need them. It’s like switching between “writing mode” and “management mode.”

Splitting editors and switching between them

Modern dev work means reading code in one file and writing in another.

• Ctrl+\ / Cmd+\ splits the editor.
• Ctrl+1, Ctrl+2, Ctrl+3 (Cmd+1, Cmd+2, Cmd+3) jump focus between editor groups.

Example: docs on the left, implementation on the right, tests below. Once you get used to these shortcuts, dragging tabs around with the mouse feels painfully slow.

2024–2025 trends: making shortcuts work with AI and modern extensions

VS Code in 2025 is not the same editor it was five years ago. You’re probably using:

• AI assistants (GitHub Copilot, Codeium, etc.).
• Heavy language servers (TypeScript, Pyright, Rust Analyzer).
• Container or remote development.

Shortcuts still matter, maybe more than ever. A few real examples:

• Use Ctrl+Space / Ctrl+Space (same on macOS) to manually trigger IntelliSense when AI suggestions don’t appear automatically.
• Use Tab and Shift+Tab to accept or reject inline AI suggestions without losing typing flow.
• Combine F12 (Go to Definition) with remote development over SSH to navigate large codebases that live on a server.

The pattern: the editor is getting smarter, but the fastest way to drive it is still a small, memorable set of shortcuts.

FAQ: examples of common questions about VS Code shortcuts

What are some real examples of essential keyboard shortcuts for Visual Studio Code that I should learn first?

Start with a tiny starter pack:

• Ctrl+P / Cmd+P for Quick Open.
• Ctrl+Shift+P / Cmd+Shift+P for the Command Palette.
• Ctrl+` / Cmd+` to toggle the terminal.
• Ctrl+/ / Cmd+/ to toggle comments.
• Shift+Alt+F / Shift+Option+F to format the document.
• F2 to rename symbols safely.

These are practical examples of essential keyboard shortcuts for Visual Studio Code that you’ll actually use every session.

Where can I find an official example of all default VS Code keyboard shortcuts?

Microsoft maintains updated keybinding reference sheets for each platform on the official VS Code site. You can access them via Help → Keyboard Shortcut Reference in the editor, or visit the online docs directly at: https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/getstarted/keybindings

How do I view and customize examples of existing keyboard shortcuts in Visual Studio Code?

Press Ctrl+K then Ctrl+S (Cmd+K then Cmd+S on macOS) to open the Keyboard Shortcuts editor. You can:

• Search for a command by name, like “Go to Definition” or “Toggle Terminal.”
• See the current shortcut and any conflicts.
• Double-click to assign your own keybinding.

This is where you turn generic defaults into your personal set of best examples of shortcuts that match how you work.

Are there different examples of shortcuts for Windows, macOS, and Linux?

Yes. The core ideas are the same, but modifier keys differ:

• Windows/Linux lean on Ctrl and Alt.
• macOS leans on Cmd and Option.

The official documentation and printable cheat sheets are split by platform so you can see the exact key combinations you need.

How many examples of shortcuts should I try to memorize at once?

Don’t try to learn everything. Pick 5–7 shortcuts that map to actions you do constantly (open files, comment, format, toggle terminal, go to definition). Use them for a week. Once they’re automatic, add a few more. The real productivity boost comes from turning a small number of examples of essential keyboard shortcuts for Visual Studio Code into muscle memory, not from skimming a giant list once.