⌨️ VS Code Keyboard Shortcuts
The Ultimate Shortcut
If you only memorize one shortcut, make it Ctrl + Shift + P. This opens the Command Palette, allowing you to search and execute any VS Code command or action instantly just by typing.
⚙️ General & Settings
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl + Shift + P |
Show Command Palette |
Ctrl + , |
Open settings |
Ctrl + K Ctrl + S |
Open Keyboard Shortcuts |
Ctrl + Shift + X |
Open Extensions view |
Ctrl + Q |
Quit application |
📁 File Management
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl + N |
New file |
Ctrl + Shift + N |
New Window/Instance |
Ctrl + O |
Open file / folder |
Ctrl + S |
Save |
Ctrl + Shift + S |
Save As... |
Ctrl + Alt + S |
Save All |
Ctrl + W |
Close editor / window |
📝 Edit
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl + Z |
Undo |
Ctrl + Shift + Z |
Redo |
Ctrl + X |
Cut line (empty selection) |
Ctrl + C |
Copy line (empty selection) |
Ctrl + V |
Paste |
Ctrl + Shift + F |
Find in files (Global Search) |
Ctrl + / |
Toggle line comment |
Pro-Tip
You don't need to select a whole line to copy or cut it. Just place your cursor anywhere on the line and press Ctrl + C or Ctrl + X, and VS Code will automatically target the entire line.
✂️ Selection & Cursor
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl + A |
Select all |
Shift + Alt + Right |
Expand selection |
Shift + Alt + Left |
Shrink selection |
Ctrl + Alt + Up |
Add cursor above |
Ctrl + Alt + Down |
Add cursor below |
Ctrl + D |
Add selection to next Find match |
Alt + Up |
Move line up |
Alt + Down |
Move line down |
Shift + Alt + Up |
Copy line up |
Shift + Alt + Down |
Copy line down |
👁️ View & Layout (Panels & Splits)
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl + B |
Toggle Primary Side Bar visibility |
Ctrl + J |
Toggle Panel visibility (Terminal/Output) |
| `Ctrl + `` | Toggle integrated terminal |
Ctrl + \ |
Split editor |
Ctrl + 1 / 2 / 3 |
Focus into 1st, 2nd or 3rd editor group |
Ctrl + Shift + E |
Explorer view / focus |
Ctrl + Shift + G |
Source Control view |
Ctrl + Shift + D |
Run and Debug view |
Ctrl + Shift + M |
Problems panel |
🚀 Navigation & Go To
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Alt + Left |
Go back in history |
Ctrl + P |
Quick Open, Go to File… |
Ctrl + Shift + O |
Go to Symbol in Editor… |
Ctrl + G |
Go to Line… |
F12 |
Go to Definition |
Ctrl + F12 |
Go to Implementation |
Shift + F12 |
Show References |
F8 |
Go to next error or warning |
Shift + F8 |
Go to previous error or warning |
macOS Users
Keep in mind that for macOS, you will generally need to swap Ctrl for Cmd (⌘) and Alt for Option (⌥).
