What are the most useful VS Code keyboard shortcuts?

The most essential VS Code shortcuts are: Ctrl + X (Cut Line), Ctrl + C (Copy Line), Ctrl + / (Toggle Comment). These cover the most frequent actions and can significantly speed up your workflow.

What is the VS Code shortcut for cut line?

The VS Code shortcut for cut line is Ctrl + X on Windows or Cmd + X on Mac. Cut entire line if no selection.

What is the VS Code shortcut for add cursor?

The VS Code shortcut for add cursor is Alt + Click on Windows or Option + Click on Mac. Add cursor at clicked position.

What is the VS Code shortcut for find?

The VS Code shortcut for find is Ctrl + F on Windows or Cmd + F on Mac. Search in current file.

How do I use keyboard shortcuts in VS Code?

To use keyboard shortcuts in VS Code, simply press the key combination while the application is focused. Most shortcuts work immediately without any additional setup. On Mac, replace Ctrl with Cmd and Alt with Option for most shortcuts.

How many keyboard shortcuts does VS Code have?

VS Code has 51 keyboard shortcuts across 8 categories on shortcut-tools.com. These cover all major features and workflows.

All Shortcuts

VS Code Shortcuts & Commands — Complete Cheat Sheet (49)

Complete Visual Studio Code keyboard shortcuts for editing, navigation, debugging, and terminal operations. The most comprehensive VS Code shortcut reference for developers.

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All VS Code Shortcuts

Essential Editing

Shortcut	Action	Description
`Ctrl` + `X`	Cut Line	Cut entire line if no selection.
`Ctrl` + `C`	Copy Line	Copy entire line if no selection.
`Ctrl` + `/`	Toggle Comment	Comment or uncomment selected lines.
`Ctrl` + `D`	Select Next Match	Select next occurrence of current word.
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `L`	Select All Matches	Select all occurrences at once.
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `K`	Delete Line	Delete current line without selection.
`Ctrl` + `Enter`	Insert Line Below	Insert new line below current line.
`Alt` + `Up/Down`	Move Line	Move current line or selection up/down.
`Shift` + `Alt` + `Up/Down`	Copy Line	Duplicate line or selection up/down.

Multi-cursor

Shortcut	Action	Description
`Alt` + `Click`	Add Cursor	Add cursor at clicked position.
`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `Up/Down`	Add Cursor Above/Below	Add cursor above or below current line.
`Shift` + `Alt` + `I`	Cursors at Line Ends	Add cursors at end of each selected line.
`Ctrl` + `L`	Select Line	Select entire current line.

Search & Replace

Shortcut	Action	Description
`Ctrl` + `F`	Find	Search in current file.
`Ctrl` + `H`	Replace	Find and replace in current file.
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `F`	Find in Files	Search across all files.
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `H`	Replace in Files	Replace across all files.
`F3`	Find Next	Go to next search result.
`Shift` + `F3`	Find Previous	Go to previous search result.

Navigation & Files

Shortcut	Action	Description
`Ctrl` + `P`	Quick Open	Quickly open file by name.
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `P`	Command Palette	Access all commands.
`Ctrl` + `Tab`	Next File	Switch between open files.
`Ctrl` + `W`	Close Editor	Close current editor tab.
`Ctrl` + `\\`	Split Editor	Split editor horizontally.
`Ctrl` + `1/2/3`	Focus Editor Group	Focus on editor group 1, 2, or 3.

Code Navigation

Shortcut	Action	Description
`F12`	Go to Definition	Jump to symbol definition.
`Alt` + `F12`	Peek Definition	View definition in popup.
`Shift` + `F12`	Show References	Display all references to symbol.
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `O`	Go to Symbol	Navigate to symbol in current file.
`Ctrl` + `G`	Go to Line	Jump to specific line number.
`F8`	Next Error	Go to next error or warning.

Views & Panels

Shortcut	Action	Description
`Ctrl` + `B`	Toggle Sidebar	Show or hide sidebar.
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `E`	Explorer	Open file explorer.
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `F`	Search	Open search panel.
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `G`	Git	Open Git source control.
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `D`	Debug	Open debug panel.
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `X`	Extensions	Open extensions panel.
`Ctrl` + `	Toggle Terminal	Open or close integrated terminal.
`Ctrl` + `J`	Toggle Panel	Show or hide bottom panel.

Debugging

Shortcut	Action	Description
`F5`	Start/Continue	Start debugging or continue execution.
`Shift` + `F5`	Stop	Stop debugging session.
`F9`	Toggle Breakpoint	Add or remove breakpoint on current line.
`F10`	Step Over	Step over to next line.
`F11`	Step Into	Step into function.

Basic Operations

Shortcut	Action	Description
`Ctrl` + `N`	New File	Create new file.
`Ctrl` + `O`	Open File	Show file open dialog.
`Ctrl` + `S`	Save	Save current file.
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `S`	Save As	Save current file with new name.
`Ctrl` + `,`	Settings	Open user settings.

Pro Tips

Press Ctrl+Shift+P for the command palette — it can do almost anything
Use Ctrl+D repeatedly to select all occurrences of a word
Alt+Up/Down moves entire lines without cut/paste
Ctrl+` toggles the integrated terminal quickly

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the shortcut to open command palette in VS Code?

Press Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+P (Mac) to open the command palette.

How do I quickly open a file in VS Code?

Press Ctrl+P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+P (Mac) to search and open files by name.

How do I select multiple cursors in VS Code?

Press Ctrl+D to select the next occurrence of the current word, or Alt+Click to place cursors at multiple positions.

How do I toggle the terminal in VS Code?

Press Ctrl+` (backtick) to toggle the integrated terminal panel.

How do I move a line up or down in VS Code?

Press Alt+Up/Down arrow to move the current line up or down.

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