Top 10 VS Code Extensions Every Developer Should Use
Hey there, fellow coder! 🎉 Whether you’re taking your first steps into the world of programming or you’re a seasoned developer, everybody loves a good productivity boost. That’s where Visual Studio Code (VS Code) comes in — a favorite among developers for its flexibility and efficiency. But do you know where its real strength lies? The incredible extensions! Today, we’re diving into the top 10 VS Code extensions that can supercharge your workflow and make coding a delight.
1. Prettier – Code Formatter
Why It’s Awesome
Prettier is like the tidying-up fairy of the coding world. With just a click or a keyboard shortcut, this extension will format your code, ensuring it looks clean and consistent. Say goodbye to debates about spaces vs. tabs or where to place commas!
How To Use It
1. Install: Search for ‘Prettier – Code formatter’ in the Extensions Marketplace and hit install.
2. Configure: Go to your VS Code settings (File > Preferences > Settings) and search for ‘Prettier’. You can customize – like enforcing single quotes or trailing commas.
3. Format Your Code: Use Shift + Alt + F on Windows or Shift + Option + F on Mac.
javascript
// Before Prettier
function helloWorld (){console.log("Hello, World!");}
// After Prettier
function helloWorld() {
console.log("Hello, World!");
}
2. Live Server
Why It’s Awesome
If you’re working on web development, you’ll love Live Server. It launches a local development server with live reload features, making it easy to see your changes immediately on the browser.
How To Use It
1. Install: Look for ‘Live Server’ in the marketplace.
2. Start Server: Right-click on your HTML file in the explorer pane, then select ‘Open with Live Server’.
3. Now, any changes you make will automatically show up in the browser!
3. ESLint
Why It’s Awesome
Nobody likes bugs, especially the avoidable ones due to JS syntax errors. ESLint helps you by identifying and fixing problematic patterns and code errors.
How To Use It
1. Install: Get the ‘ESLint’ extension.
2. Configuration: Usually, you’ll have a .eslintrc file in your project that sets the rules. If not, you can create one using eslint --init in your terminal.
3. Correct As You Go: Watch out for those squiggly lines, hover over them, and make corrections. ESLint is like a code spellchecker.
4. Bracket Pair Colorizer
Why It’s Awesome
This extension adds colors to matching brackets and parenthesis. Perfect for understanding nested code blocks without losing your sanity.
How To Use It
1. Install: Find ‘Bracket Pair Colorizer’ in the Marketplace.
2. That’s it!: Colors will automatically apply, making your code structure clearer.
python
if (condition1) {
for (item in list) {
if (condition2) {
// so much easier to see
}
}
}
5. Path Intellisense
Why It’s Awesome
Gone are the days of manually searching through files to get the right path. Path Intellisense autocompletes filenames, saving you time and frustration.
How To Use It
1. Install: Search for ‘Path Intellisense’ and click install.
2. Type-Ahead Suggestions: Just start typing your import paths. It’s like magic!
javascript
import myFunction from './folder/myFile'; // you can thank Path Intellisense later!
6. Debugger for Chrome
Why It’s Awesome
Debugging is an essential skill, and this extension allows you to debug your JavaScript code straight from VS Code. It integrates perfectly with Google Chrome, making inspecting your code much simpler.
How To Use It
1. Install: Search for ‘Debugger for Chrome’ and install it.
2. Set Up a ‘launch.json’ File: Go to the Debug tab (left sidebar) > Create a configuration, then select ‘Chrome’.
3. Start Debugging: Use breakpoints, inspect variables, and execute code in the console.
7. GitLens — Git supercharged
Why It’s Awesome
Ever wondered who last edited a particular line of code? Or want to review previous changes? GitLens brings all this info into VS Code, right alongside your code.
How To Use It
1. Install: Look for ‘GitLens’ in the Extensions Marketplace.
2. Discover: With the code annotations that appear inline, you can see commit history, authorship, and more. Click for detailed info.
8. Icons — VS Code Icons
Why It’s Awesome
This isn’t just about aesthetics. File icons make navigating your project intuitive. With hundreds of icons, understanding file types at a glance becomes second nature.
How To Use It
1. Install: Find ‘VS Code Icons’ and download it.
2. Activate: Select ‘File Icon Theme’ in the Command Palette (Ctrl + Shift + P on Windows or Cmd + Shift + P on Mac) and choose ‘VS Code Icons’.
9. Auto Rename Tag
Why It’s Awesome
Working with HTML can be tedious, especially when you have to change tags. Auto Rename Tag updates the closing tag when you change an opening tag, and vice versa.
How To Use It
1. Install: Search for ‘Auto Rename Tag’ and install it.
2. Rename Easy: Just change your tag name; the extension handles the rest.
10. Settings Sync
Why It’s Awesome
Work on different devices? Sync your VS Code settings, extensions, and keybindings across all your machines via GitHub Gist.
How To Use It
1. Install: Search and install ‘Settings Sync’.
2. Configure: Use the command Shift + Alt + D to upload your settings, and Shift + Alt + U to download them onto a new machine.
—
Wrapping It Up
There you have it, ten extensions I can’t live without in VS Code. Trying them can make coding more fun, efficient, and definitely less stressful. Do you have a favorite extension that didn’t make the list? Share it in the comments below!
Optional Practice Ideas
– Set up a simple HTML page, enable Live Server, and see your live updates in action.
– Try refactoring some messy code using Prettier and see the magic yourself.
Remember, the best way to find what works for you is by experimenting. So go ahead, customize your VS Code, and make it yours. Happy coding! 🚀