# VS Code Tips & Tricks ## How to open it Use the command line to open it within the project on which you are working: ```bash code . ``` ## Managing the windows Toggle the sidebar (with the file list) open or closed: ``` command + b ``` Toggle the built-in terminal open or closed: ``` control + ` ``` Split the editor window: ``` command + \ ``` ## File management Create a new file (mind what location you are creating it in): ``` command + n ``` Open file (shows the open file dialog box): ``` command + o ``` Save file (do this a lot): ``` command + s ``` Close current tab (or the whole editor if no files are open): ``` command + w ``` ## Basic Text Editing We all know about Cut, Copy, and Paste. We may have been using them from our Edit menus with a mouse but no longer! We are developers now and we live in the command prompt: Copy: ``` command + c ``` Cut: ``` command + x ``` Paste: ``` command + v ``` Normally, we need to highlight text to perform one of those actions but VS Code has some more advanced tweaks. Simply place your cursor on a line and try the following: Copy an entire line: ``` command + c ``` Cut an entire line: ``` command + x ``` Command + v will still paste whatever is on the clipboard. Move an entire line up or down: ``` option + up/down arrow ``` Copy an entire line up or down: ``` shift + option + up/down arrow ``` Indenting/unindenting blocks: (with a block highlighted) ``` tab/shift + tab ``` Commenting lines or blocks: (with the cursor on a line or a block selected) ``` command + / ``` ## Multi-cursor editing Want to edit multiple lines at once? Add cursors to adjacent lines upward or downward: ``` command + option + up/down arrow ``` Want to select multiple occurances of the same word? Select it once and then use: ``` command + d ``` ## Extensions * Bracket Pair Colorizer - CoenraadS: Colors matching opening and closing brackets with the same color for easy location. * indent-rainbow - oderwat: Makes each indentation level a different color for easy reference. * Material Icon Theme - Phillipp Kief: Gives attractive icons to VS Code. * open in browser - TechER: Adds an "open in browser" context menu item. Handy for launching HTML files. * Rainbow Brackets - 2gua: More bracket colorizing. ## Full VS Code Command Reference This PDF shows all the Mac OS commands for VS Code: