Best 30 VS Code Extensions for Enhanced Programming - (r)

Jul 8, 2023
VS Code extensions

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According to the 2022 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, 74.48 percent of 71,010 respondents said they used Visual Studio Code (VS Code)--this rate has risen steadily over the many years. VS Code has quickly become the most popular code editor among professionals from all over the world because of its flexibility in addition to the numerous possibilities for customisation.

StackOverflow developer survey
Stack Overflow survey for developers.

What exactly is it that sets it apart and truly makes it stand out? The answer is in its extensive extension options. Extensions let you access the full potential for VS Code, elevating it to an entirely new level of efficiency as well as productivity.

In this post, we will look at and put an array of VS Code extensions that will aid in increasing your productivity.

9. General VS Code Extensions to Improve productivity

1. Prettier

Prettier
Prettier extension.

Features:

  • Automatically formats codes in accordance with established rules.
  • Enforces consistent code style across your projects.
  • It is compatible with VS Code's formatting options and is triggered upon save or by keyboard shortcuts.

2. Remote SSH

The Remote - SSH extension of Visual Studio Code allows you access to remote servers and virtual machines with the secured SSH protocol. It provides a smooth user experience in development, permitting users to edit files, run commands, and test applications right from your home VS Code instance in remote environments.

Remote-ssh
Remote SSH extension.

Features:

  • Connect to remote servers and virtual machines via SSH.
  • Edit files downloaded from distant platforms as though the files were locally.
  • Utilize scripts and commands to execute on remote devices.
  • Remotely test and troubleshoot software running in remote system.
  • Integrating seamlessly is possible thanks to VS Code's rich editing and debugging features.

Take note of type="info"]One extension that you'll discover in this article could be located within The Bracket Pair Colorizer, that lets you better look through and interpret the code by colorizing the brackets that are similar. This extension has been taken out because it has been integrated into VS Code. [/notice]

3. Live Share

Live Sharing allows real-time interaction with other developers through allowing you to share your development environment. It permits shared editing, debugging, and terminal sessions that encourage cooperation and efficiency as well as providing seamless integration programming.

Live-share
Extension to Live Share.

Features:

  • Live interaction with other developers.
  • Sharing editing, debugging and sharing as and terminal sessions.
  • Chat integration for efficient chat for effective communications.
  • Collaboration in code review, and programming in pairs.

4. Better Reviews

Better Comments adds color-coded comments to your application, making it simpler to differentiate between the different kinds of comments. There's a wide range of prefixes to use to emphasize important points like TODOs, cautions, and more.

Better-comments
Better comments extension.

Features:

  • Custom comment types are supported as well as prefixes.
  • Increases understanding of the code, and helps organize it.

5. CodeSnap

CodeSnap make it easier for taking screenshots of code. CodeSnap captures codes and generates pictures that you are able to send directly to other users. It is a great way to document tutorials, documentation as well as sharing code on social media sites.

Codesnap
Codesnap extension.

Features:

  • Customizable code snapshot settings, including theme, font size as well as more.
  • It supports a variety of image formats such as PNG, JPEG, and SVG.

6. Code Runner

Code Runner is an extension for Visual Studio that Code Runner extension allows you to execute short chunks of code or complete documents using a variety of programming languages within Visual Studio Code. It eliminates the need to change between the editor and the separate terminal. It allows you to run tests and execute the code within a few minutes.

Code-runner
Code runner extension.

Features:

  • Code snippets can be executed as well as complete documents in several programming languages.
  • Customizable execution settings and command shortcuts.
  • The ability to run applications in the terminal pane or in the output pane.
  • The execution of code can be supported through both output and input.
  • Automatic selection of the appropriate interpreter or compiler based on the file's language.

7. Path Intellisense

Path Intellisense allows you to enter file path information using an intelligent automatic completion of the file paths within the program. It removes mistakes and guarantees the accuracy of referencing files and modules inside your program.

Path-intellisense
Path intellisense extension.

Features:

  • Provides absolute and relative pathways.
  • Integrates seamlessly with different frameworks and programming languages. Works seamlessly with various frameworks and programming.

8. vscode-icons

Vscode-Icons provides a bit of glamour to your work area for code by replacing of standard file icons with a range of striking and easy-to-use icons.

Vscode-icons
Vs Code Icons extension.

Features:

  • Offers an array of icons for different file types, folders, and some of the most well-known programming languages.
  • Offers various customization options allows you to modify the size of icons, as well as their opacity and enable/disable specific icon sets depending on the style and preference of the code.
  • Create specific icons for folders that make it easier to clearly distinguish different components of your project.

9. Night Owl

Night Owl is a gorgeous visual theme which can be used with VS Code that provides a nice and comfortable colors to your code editor.

Night-owl
Expansion of the night owl.

Features:

  • Darker themes to help to ease tension on your eyes particularly during long hours of programming.
  • Provides a clear and vibrant syntax highlight for a large variety in programming language.
  • You can alter the appearance of your theme by selecting the appropriate accent colors.
  • It has high contrast and legible text.

7 Web Development Visual Studio Code Extensions to boost Productivity

1. Live Server

Live-server
Live server extension.

Features:

  • Start your local development server and use live reloading.
  • A browser refresh is automatic when a file changes.
  • Assistance with HTML, CSS, JavaScript and various other web-based development documents.
  • Configurable server settings which can be customized for the server port, root directories and much more.

2. Auto Rename Tag

Auto-rename-tag
Extension for Auto Rename Tag.

Features:

  • This helps ensure consistency and to reduce time spent working on the markup language.
  • It's perfect for Emmet abbreviations as well as Snippets.

3. SVG Preview

SVG Preview is a helpful extension that web developers can use to work with Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG). It lets you view a live preview of SVG documents right inside the editor. It allows you to see any changes are made in real-time.

Svg-preview
SVG Preview Extension.

Features:

  • The preview supports zooming and panning.
  • Ideal for web developers

4. HTML CSS Support

The HTML CSS Support extension provides an enhanced CSS support in HTML documents. It gives intelligent suggestions and auto-completion of CSS properties, which ensures quicker and better-quality codes.

Html-css-support
HTML CSS support extension.

Features:

  • Provides an intelligent autocompletion feature for HTML and CSS code. This reduces the need to type manually and increasing efficiency.
  • It provides CSS class and ID suggestions Based on the source code.
  • It generates CSS property suggestions using the vendor's prefix.
  • The system is able to support Emmet abbreviations which speed up HTML and CSS codes generation.

5. IntelliSense to recognize CSS class names

When dealing with long CSS class names in HTML the challenge of remembering and accurately typing them isn't easy. This IntelliSense extension for CSS class names in HTML extension offers clever suggestions, as well as auto-completion for CSS names for classes. It analyses the contents of your CSS files and gives you a list of available names for classes, making it simple to choose the appropriate class name without any mistakes or typos.

Intellisense-for-css-classnames-in-html
Intellisense for CSS class names extension.

Features:

  • Autocompletion that is intelligent and intelligent for CSS class names within HTML, CSS, SCSS and Less file.
  • Improves efficiency through speeding up the process of choosing the name of a class.

6. CSS Peek

CSS Peek is an extremely powerful extension that will enhance CSS development, allowing you to see the related CSS styles directly in HTML as well as JavaScript code. By simply hovering the mouse over the CSS name or ID CSS Peek will display the appropriate styles on a display. It eliminates the need to switch between CSS Peek documents. CSS Peek is instrumental in the case of large codebases or complex CSS dependencies.

Css-peek
CSS peek extension.

Features:

  • It supports both inline and external CSS styles.
  • Enhances comprehension of code as well as Navigation.

7. GitLens

GitLens GitLens HTML0 is robust extension that integrates Git capabilities directly into the editor that you utilize. Through GitLens it's possible to examine the authors of code and commit histories, and gain valuable insights into changes to code by showing the line-by-line errors.

Gitlens
GitLens extension.

Features:

  • Inline Git is annotated with blame on each code line.
  • The details of the transaction, including the date, author, and message displayed in hover.
  • Code lens and current line annotations showing Git the commit and blame information.
  • seamless integration seamlessly is seamless Git commands and repository navigation.

5 JavaScript Visual Studio Code Extensions for Boosting Productivity

For JavaScript development using the appropriate tools in your arsenal will greatly improve the effectiveness and quality of the code. They can assist you when you work

1. ESLint

ESLint is an extensively used tool that can help you identify mistakes, ensure that you follow the guidelines for coding and improve code quality in JavaScript along with TypeScript.

Eslint
ESLint extension.

Features:

  • Instant feedback that highlights the problems with code while you code.
  • Allows you to alter its rules to meet your project's specific requirements to ensure that your codebase is consistent across the codebase.
  • It supports the use of plugins and custom rules, allowing users to customize the application to meet your company's particular requirements.

2. JavaScript (ES6) code snippets

JavaScript (ES6) The code fragments Extension offers a variety of code snippets you could utilize to reduce time and effort when writing JavaScript code.

Javascript-es6-code-snippets
JavaScript (ES6) code snippets extension.

Features:

  • A complete set of code fragments that can be used for commonly used JavaScript task, making it simple to write code faster.
  • Snippets are dynamic placeholders which let you quickly add variable names as well as other vital information. This can increase the efficacy of the code you write.
  • Snippets are specially designed to work with ES6 function and language. This allows users to make the most recent JavaScript capabilities effortlessly.
  • It allows you to modify and design your own code pieces to suit the style you prefer and specifications.

3. Quokka.js

Quokka.js is a live scratchpad developed for JavaScript that gives you feedback and results while you type. This application can dramatically improve your speed in developing workflow.

Quokka-js
Quokka.js extension.

Features:

  • Checks the validity of the quality of your JavaScript code as you type, displaying outcomes immediately within the VS Code editor.
  • Provides inline annotations to indicate the output as well as the significance of variables. It makes it easier to grasp the behavior of code.
  • Offers insight into expressions and lets you see the effects and results of each line of code, aiding in the debugging and solving of difficulties.
  • It lets you record the numbers you want to display in the editor. Additionally, it provides greater information about the code execution process.

4. npm Intellisense

NPM Intellisense can help you save time and energy by offering automated auto-completion of npm packages imports. It can suggest names for packages as you type, and make it simple to add dependencies to your projects.

Npm-intellisense
npm Intellisense extension.

Features:

  • Speeds up loading dependencies.
  • Compatible Works seamlessly JavaScript and TypeScript projects.

5. Cost of Import

Import Cost gives real-time feedback on the import size JavaScript as well as TypeScript modules. It displays the amount of imports directly within the editor, helping in optimizing the volume of your bundle and identifying any performance problems.

Import-cost
Import cost extension.

Features:

It is compatible with multiple modules for example:

  • Standard import: import Func from 'utils';
  • Importing the entire content: Import * using Utils, derived in "utils"
  • Importing with a selective approach: import Func from the 'utils' directory;
  • Selective importing with alias: import orig as name alias using the  directory "utils;
  • Submodule Import: import Func to "utils/Func";
  • Require: const Func = require('utils').Func;

5 Python Visual Studio Code Extensions to boost productivity

There are many VS Code extensions available for Python which greatly enhance the performance of developers. Here are five popular ones:

1. Python

It is the Python extension to Visual Studio Code is an crucial tool to Python developers. It includes a wide array of functions that speed up Python development, making it easier to write, debug and validate Python programming.

Python
Python extension.

Features:

  • Smart code completion with intelligent suggestions auto-imports, and suggestion to improve efficiency.
  • Supports code formatting using popular Python formatters such as Black and autopep8, which ensures the consistency of style in the code.
  • Analyzing code in real time and provides feedback on potential error, codes, and good practices by using tools like Pylint.
  • Allows you to debug Python code from within VS Code, with support of breakpoints, variable inspection, and step-by-step execution.
  • It works with all the well-known Python testing frameworks, such as unittest and Pytest. It allows you to execute and debug tests effortlessly.
  • Supports controlling and activating the virtual environment as well as isolation of projects and management of dependencies.

2. Pylance

Pylance is a robust extension to the language server for Python in VS Code. It significantly enhances the IntelliSense abilities, the ability to navigate code and also the ability to detect type-in Python code.

Pylance
The extension for Pylance.

Features:

  • Provides faster and more precise code completion suggestions that are based on static type analysis and inference of type.
  • Type checking is performed statically to detect errors caused by typos and increase the quality of code.
  • Simple navigation through Python code. It allows search for symbols, definition peeking, and references.
  • Provides complete information and function signatures of Python objects, enhancing code understanding and reducing the duration of looking up.
  • Offers annotations as well as typeshint support that improves readingability of codes and to maintain.
  • Pylance is optimized for fast starting and speedy response to provide that the end user has a seamless user experience throughout development.

3. Jupyter

This Jupyter extensions lets users utilize Jupyter notebooks directly within VS Code. It's a seamless user interface that blends the advantages of Jupyter's computing capabilities together with the capabilities and functions provided with VS Code.

Jupyter
Jupyter extension.

Features:

  • It includes an editor for notebooks that comes with support for Markdown Code cells and high-quality text formatting.
  • It allows the execution of code cells in the notebook, and shows its output directly inside the editor.
  • It enables easy movement between cells. You can arrange them in a new order and also create new notebooks.
  • Provides options to start the, stop the, or change kernels in various languages, such as Python.
  • You can examine variables as well as their importance at various places within the notebook.

4. Django

Django
Django extension.

Features:

  • It gives tools for setting up and controlling Django applications and projects.
  • Provides intelligent code completion to the Django-specific syntax. This includes models, views, and template tags.
  • The highlight of the Django template syntax is that it provides an aesthetic distinction to the other components of code.
  • Lets you preview Django template rendering directly inside the editor.
  • Integrates to the Django shell. It allows for directly communication via it. Django developing environment.
  • Provides code fragments that cover typical Django patterns as well as shortcuts for making development faster.

5. Flask Snippets

Flask Snippets is an amazing extension which provides a set of code snippets to use when using Flask. Flask web framework in VS Code. It helps you create Flask code by providing pre-written fragments of code that correspond to the most commonly used Flask routines and shortcuts.

Flask-snippets
Flask extensions that contain snippets of text.

Features:

  • It offers a variety of code pieces that are specific to Flask which include routes decorators, template rendering, integration with databases and various other.
  • It provides shortcuts to commonly used Flask code patterns, thus reducing the need for writing manually, and also saving time.
  • Creates an Flask project skeleton with the basic structure of a directory as well as the crucial files needed to begin Flask development.
  • It integrates the Flask command-line interface. This allows running specific Flask commands right from within VS Code.
  • Improves the code completion rate in particular Flask terms, functions and objects to improve the efficiency of your code.

4 Additional VS Code Extensions for Enhanced the development experience

In addition to the extensions mentioned above there are a variety of VS Code extensions are worth studying and could greatly enhance your experience in developing with diverse platforms and languages. Let's look at some of these extensions:

1. GitHub Copilot

Github-copilot
GitHub copilot extension.

Features:

  • It evaluates the context in your code and provides extremely precise codes, thus making it easier to save time and energy.
  • It supports a variety of programming languages such as JavaScript, Python, TypeScript, Go, and more.
  • Discovers the context of your code, and provides suggestions that align with your programming style as well as the patterns you apply.

2. Tabnine AI Autocomplete

Tabnine AI Autocomplete is a tool for autocompletion made by AI which elevates code completion to a completely new level. It makes use of machine-learning models that are trained using massive quantities of code to provide highly accurate and precise suggestions for code.

Tabnine-ai-autocomplete
Tabnine AI autocomplete extension.

Features:

  • Gives you smart ideas based on the program you've written which will save time and effort.
  • It will predict the lines to follow in code based on your situation, which reduces the necessity of manual typing.
  • Supports a wide range of programming languages. This allows it to adapt to different jobs.

3. All-in-One Markdown

Markdown All-in-One is an extension that provides an array of functions which allow you to edit Markdown documents in VS Code. It allows you to create and editing of Markdown documents with an array of functions and shortcuts. From basic formatting to advanced capabilities, Markdown All in One can improve the writing experience and productivity of Markdown users.

Markdown-all-in-one
Markdown is a full extension for Markdown.

Features:

  • Syntax highlights and previews Markdown material
  • Shortcuts that are common to Markdown elements, as well as style of formatting
  • The generation of a Table of Contents for simple navigation
  • Keyboard shortcuts that allow for efficient editing and formatting

4. Regex Previewer

Regex Previewer is an excellent extension for working using regular expressions inside VS Code. It allows you to examine and test regular expressions on the fly, and ensure that they're in accordance with the pattern you're looking for precisely. With Regex Previewer, you can make time-saving changes by swiftly changing and fine-tuning your regular expressions in the editor's own.

Regex-previewer
Regex previewer extension.

Features:

  • Real-time preview of regex matches inside the editor
  • Highlighting games and recording teams
  • Testing and interactive debugging of regular expressions
  • Support for a variety of flavors of regex and other options

Summary

Do you have a VS Code extension you use often? Which extension do think should be included in this guide? Let us know in the comments.

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