Top 10 VS Code Extensions Every Developer Should Use

Top 10 VS Code Extensions Every Developer Should Use

Hey there! If you’re just starting with coding or diving into the depths of software development, you’ve probably heard about Visual Studio Code (VS Code). It’s hands-down one of the best code editors out there. One of the reasons it’s so popular is because of its rich ecosystem of extensions that enhance productivity and streamline workflows. Today, I’m going to take you through the top 10 VS Code extensions every developer should have in their toolkit. Let’s get started!

1. Prettier – Code Formatter

Ever felt overwhelmed by messy code? Prettier is here to save the day! This extension automatically formats your code, making it clean and consistent.

• Installation: Open your VS Code, go to Extensions (the square icon in the sidebar or Ctrl+Shift+X), search for “Prettier – Code formatter,” and click install.
• Usage: Once installed, Prettier starts working automatically. Any time you save a file (Ctrl+S), Prettier will format it according to your settings. You can customize these in your settings.json.

Example:

Before Prettier:

function helloWorld(){console.log("Hello, World!");}

After Prettier:

function helloWorld() {
console.log("Hello, World!");
}

2. Live Server

Do you find yourself constantly refreshing your browser when working on web projects? Live Server lets you see your changes in real-time without any manual intervention.

• Installation: Search for “Live Server” in the Extensions marketplace and hit install.
• Usage: Right-click on your index.html file and select “Open with Live Server.” Your browser will open automatically, and any time you save your file, it will refresh!

3. GitLens – Git Supercharged

If you’re using Git, GitLens is a must-have. It offers an intuitive way to navigate and understand your Git repository directly from VS Code.

• Installation: Find “GitLens” in the Extensions marketplace and install it.
• Features:
• View who last modified a line of code.
• Explore a file’s commit history.
• See code author information at a glance.

4. Bracket Pair Colorizer

As your code grows, keeping track of matching braces, brackets, and parentheses can get tricky. Bracket Pair Colorizer assigns each set a unique color, making it easier to match them visually.

• Installation: Look up “Bracket Pair Colorizer” in Extensions and install.
• Note: Be sure to keep an eye out for “Bracket Pair Colorizer 2”, which is an updated version offering more features.

5. ESLint

For JavaScript and TypeScript developers, ESLint is indispensable. This extension identifies and fixes problematic patterns in your code.

• Installation: Search for “ESLint” and install it.
• Usage: ESLint works automatically if you have an .eslintrc configuration file in your project. You’ll see warnings and errors directly in VS Code.

Example Issue:

Without ESLint:

var unusedVar = 10;
console.log("Hello");

With ESLint:

You’ll see an underline with a warning indicating that unusedVar is defined but never used.

6. Path Intellisense

Stop guessing the file paths while importing files. Path Intellisense provides auto-completions for your file paths, saving you time and reducing errors.

• Installation: Install “Path Intellisense” from the marketplace.
• Usage: Start typing a path in your import statements, and see the suggestions pop up.

7. Docker

If you’re working with Docker, the Docker extension is a fantastic aide. It integrates with the Docker CLI and offers a graphical interface for managing your containers.

• Installation: Just search for “Docker” and install it.
• Features:
• View and manage containers, images, networks, and volumes.
• Streamline the creation of your Docker files with snippets.

8. Python (by Microsoft)

Python developers rejoice because the Python extension provides everything you need to code in Python efficiently, including IntelliSense, linting, debugging, and unit testing.

• Installation: Search for “Python” by Microsoft and install.
• Usage: This extension activates when you open a .py file. It supports environments such as Pipenv, Venv, and Conda.

9. VS Code Icons

While not technically boosting productivity, VS Code Icons is great for improving your project’s aesthetics. It adds file icons to the sidebar, making it easier to distinguish between different files at a glance.

• Installation: Just look for “VS Code Icons” and install it.
• Activation: After installing, you’ll be prompted to select this as your icon theme.

10. Todo Tree

Keep track of your TODO comments with Todo Tree. This extension collects and displays all your TODOs in a tree view, helping you manage tasks directly from your code.

• Installation: Search “Todo Tree” in Extensions and install it.
• Usage: Add TODO comments in your code, and they will automatically appear in the Todo Tree view in the sidebar.

Conclusion

These top 10 VS Code extensions can transform your development experience by improving productivity, code quality, and overall enjoyment. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just getting started, each of these extensions offers unique benefits that can help you on your coding journey.

Practice Ideas:

• Try setting up a small web project using Live Server and Prettier.
• Initiate a new JavaScript project and configure ESLint from scratch.
• Dive into Docker using the Docker extension, setting up a simple containerized application.

Extensions make our life easier, and by incorporating these into your workflow, you’ll streamline your projects and perhaps have a bit more fun coding. Happy coding, and until next time, keep building and learning!