Microsoft Visual Studio Code debuted only a few years ago, but it has quickly become one of the most popular text editors available. Its combination of a simple user interface with powerful IDE-like features makes it especially popular with programmers, but it’s just as useful for writers and anyone who manipulates text files.

Visual Studio Code supports nearly every programming language that exists. If support isn't built-in, you can add it through the app’s extension browser. VS Code even has native features to support collaborative programming. Plus, it has plenty of keyboard shortcuts to help you navigate the app interface effortlessly.

And what’s more, you can discover the most useful VS Code keyboard shortcuts with this cheat sheet!

Because of the sheer number of users on Windows, that OS is the main focus of this cheat sheet. Don't worry if you’re a Mac user though, as all of these keyboard shortcuts work on macOS as well. Simply use the Command key instead of the Ctrl key and the Option key instead of Alt. If any shortcuts vary more than that, we'll mention both.

FREE DOWNLOAD: This cheat sheet is available as a downloadable PDF from our distribution partner, TradePub. You will have to complete a short form to access it for the first time only. Download The Visual Studio Code Keyboard Shortcuts Cheat Sheet.

The Visual Studio Code Keyboard Shortcuts Cheat Sheet

On a Mac keyboard, replace Ctrl with Cmd and Alt with Option in the shortcuts.

Shortcut

Action

Basic Functionality

Ctrl + Shift + P

Open Command Palette

Ctrl + ,

Open app settings

Ctrl + K, Ctrl + S

Display keyboard shortcuts

Ctrl + Shift + X

Switch to Extensions pane

Ctrl + N

New file

Ctrl + Shift + N

New window

¹Ctrl + F4

Close file

Ctrl + Shift + W

Close window

¹F11

Toggle Full Screen mode

Ctrl + B

Toggle sidebar visibility

File Management

Ctrl + O

Open file

Ctrl + S

Save file

Ctrl + Shift + S

Save as…

Ctrl + K, S

Save all files

Ctrl + K, Ctrl + W

Close all

Ctrl + Shift + T

Reopen last closed

Editing Commands

Ctrl + C

Copy selection or current line

Ctrl + X

Cut selection or current line

Ctrl + V

Paste

Ctrl + Shift + K

Delete line

Home

Go to beginning of line

End

Go to end of line

Ctrl + Home

Go to beginning of file

Ctrl + End

Go to end of file

Alt + Up / Down

Move line up or down

Ctrl + ]

Indent line

Ctrl + [

Outdent line

Ctrl + /

Comment out line

Shift + Alt + A

Comment out region

Folding

Ctrl + Shift + [

Fold region

Ctrl + Shift + ]

Unfold region

Ctrl + K, Ctrl + [

Fold all subregions

Ctrl + K, Ctrl + ]

Unfold all subregions

Ctrl + K, Ctrl + 0

Fold all regions

Ctrl + K, Ctrl + J

Unfold all regions

Editor Navigation

Ctrl + P

Go to file

Ctrl + G

Go to line

Ctrl + T

Show all symbols

Ctrl + Shift + O

Go to symbol

F8

Go to next error or warning

Shift + F8

Go to previous error or warning

Ctrl + Shift + M

Show Problems panel

¹Alt + Left

Go back

¹Alt + Right

Go forward

Find and Replace

Ctrl + F

Open Find dialog

Ctrl + H

Open Replace dialog

Ctrl + Shift + H

Replace in files

¹F3

Find next

¹Shift + F3

Find previous

Alt + Enter

Select all matches for search term

Ctrl + D

Add current selection to Find match

Ctrl + K, Ctrl + D

Move previous selection to next Find match

Selection and Multiple Cursors

Ctrl + L

Select current line

Ctrl + Shift + L

Select all instances of current selection

Ctrl + F2

Select all matches of current word

¹Shift + Alt + Right Arrow

Expand selection

¹Shift + Alt + Left Arrow

Shrink selection

Alt + Click

Insert cursor

Ctrl + Alt + Up Arrow / Down Arrow

Insert cursor above or below current line

Ctrl + U

Undo last cursor

Shift + Alt + I

Insert cursor at the end of each selected line

Split Editor Management

Ctrl + \

Split editor

Ctrl + 1 / 2 / 3

Focus on editor pane 1, 2, or 3

Ctrl + K, Ctrl + Right Arrow / Left Arrow

Focus on next / previous editor pane

¹Ctrl + Shift + PgUp

Move editor left

¹Ctrl + Shift + PgDown

Move editor right

Integrated Terminal

¹Ctrl + `

Show integrated terminal

¹Ctrl + Shift + `

Create new terminal instance

Ctrl + Up Arrow / Down Arrow

Scroll up / down

Ctrl + Home / End

Scroll to top / bottom

macOS-Specific Shortcuts

Cmd + W

Close file

Cmd + Ctrl + F

Toggle full screen

Cmd + -

Go back

Cmd + Shift + -

Go forward

Cmd + G

Find next

Cmd + Shift + G

Find previous

Cmd + Control + Shift + Right Arrow

Expand selection

Cmd + Control + Shift + Left Arrow

Shrink selection

Cmd + K, Cmd + Shift + Left

Move editor left

Cmd + K, Cmd + Shift + Right

Move editor right

Control + `

Show integrated terminal

Control + Shift + `

Create new terminal instance

¹The corresponding macOS shortcut is listed under the macOS-Specific Shortcuts section at the end of the cheat sheet.

Looking for More Ways to Make the Most of VS Code?

The keyboard shortcuts here will have you well on your way to becoming a Visual Studio Code power user. That said, there are many more ways that you can make the software even better-suited to your workflow.

For example, you can add countless features to the editor with extensions. If you're looking for a starting point, take a look at our list of extensions to help make programming in VS Code even easier.

Image Credit: UserName on Unsplash [Broken URL Removed]