My Keyboard Driven VScode Extensions and Custom Shortcuts

I never thought I’d use VS Code the way I’m using it now, and I think you should try my extensions and shortcuts to make up your mind.

First let me say, I’ve been using VS Code for years, and before it I had the chance to use many, from Eclipse, NetBeans, Notepad++, Sublime Text, I think I’ve even used Notepad… anyway…

Recently a fellow developer told me he’s using NVIM and that it is more powerful than any other code editor out there, so I spent a week learning it… yes, the whole HJKL, o, i, vi{, dim… keyboard die-hard will understand what I’m talking about.
The first time I was convinced that this is it, that there’s a winner… Until I had a second talk with another friend, it was kind of a heated argument; he never used NVIM, wasn’t clearly aware of the whole thing, but he got some points.

So I decided to start looking for all the new things I discovered in NVIM but this time in VScode and oh boy… I like VScode even more than before.

I will list in this article all the interesting extensions I’m using as well as the custom shortcuts that make my life easier.

1. Expand-Region

Stop wasting your time aiming to select a specific code block or value… just put your cursor there and Cmd+W. keybindings: expand_region: Cmd+W
Undo Expand Region: Cmd+Shift+W

2. Fuzzy-Search

Forget about the old Cmd+F to search in file. With fuzzy search you get instant feedback about your search, use navigation to explore your results, and Enter to start writing in the given line. keybindings: fuzzySearch.activeTextEditor: Cmd+F and if needed, add customized highlighting to your settings:


"workbench.colorCustomizations": {
"editor.lineHighlightBackground": "#7e7e2c77",
"editor.lineHighlightBorder": "#647bc7"
}

3. Oil.code

Oil lets you navigate your file system, copy, move, and rename files and directories all without leaving your file editor. It’s a nice-to-have!

keybindings:
oil-code.open: Opt + f

Spoiler alert! You wouldn’t be able to navigate as easily as I do; matter of fact, you should check out my Karabiner article that will dilate your pupils even more.

4. Use Option / Alt for navigation

Remember the week I started using NVIM? One thing stood out: users remember an enormous number of shortcuts. How? It’s simple! Most of them are English-based mnemonics. Let’s cut to the chase: I linked the (Option/Opt) key to the verb « Go ». For example, Opt + d means go to definition. To support multiple ways to open a definition (side-by-side, peek, vertically, etc.), I use multi-key sequences like Opt + d + v (reveal definition aside vertically). To avoid conflicts, the base command becomes Opt + d + d for the primary « go to definition » action.

Keybindings

Below are the outer navigation keybindings I use — friendly mnemonics, compact sequences, and no language-specific bindings (except the Oil helpers, which I keep):

Key Combination	Command	Description
`Opt + p`	`workbench.action.pinEditor / workbench.action.unpinEditor`	(P)in or unpin the active editor tab
`Opt + c b`	`workbench.action.closeActiveEditor`	(C)lose the active editor (b for buffer as in NVIM)
`Opt + r`	`editor.action.goToReferences`	Go to symbol (R)eferences
`Opt + d v`	`editor.action.revealDefinitionAside`	Open (D)efinition to the side (V)ertical
`Opt + d p`	`editor.action.peekDefinition`	(P)eek (D)efinition inline
`Opt + d d`	`editor.action.revealDefinition`	Jump to (D)efinition
`Opt + c o`	`workbench.action.closeOtherEditors`	(C)lose all (O)ther open editors
`Opt + n`	`workbench.action.compareEditor.nextChange`	Jump to (N)ext diff change
`Opt + e`	`editor.action.marker.next`	Jump to next problem, (E)rror, or warning
`Shift + Opt + e`	`editor.action.marker.prev`	Jump to previous problem, (E)rror, or warning
`Opt + v`	`oil-code.selectVertical`	Oil-code: select (V)ertical
`Opt + f`	`oil-code.open`	Oil-code: open command

Remember, you are not obliged to stick to my shortcuts exactly; feel free to add your personal touch as long as it is natural to you. Below is an example of Opt + e « go to next (e)rror ».

5. Flash.nvim for vscode

Another nice-to-have! You are sharing your screen, your fellow developer asks you to go to « heaven, » but you don’t know which one and he cannot point it out… this extension is the right thing to have. Use the flash shortcut, then start typing; Flash will mark the matching words, you type the desired mark letter, and you’re all set. keybindings: (Caps + S using My Karabiner Setting) flash-vscode.start: Shift + Opt + s

6. Shortcut I didn't know about

As of today, here are a few shortcuts I didn’t know about:

Cmd + Enter: No matter where your cursor is, it will insert a new line and place your cursor there

Cmd + Shift + Enter: Like Cmd + Enter, but this time adds a new line before the current one and places your cursor there

F2: Rename a variable; makes it easy to rename a variable without affecting other strings

Conclusion

Honestly, I don’t see any conclusion to what I presented.
Feel free to give each plugin a shot. Again, what I presented is not tied to any specific language. Change the keybindings to your convenience. If this article helped you, make sure to check out the other articles; they’ll definitely do as well.