Mastering VS Code: Ultimate Ctrl, Alt, and Shift Editing Shortcuts
1. Introduction
Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is one of the most popular code editors, known for its speed, flexibility, and massive extension library. While many developers navigate using the mouse, keyboard shortcuts are the real key to productivity. They allow you to code, refactor, and navigate without breaking your flow.
In this article, we focus on the most complete list of editing shortcuts in VS Code — from the essentials to rare, but powerful, commands. Our largest section, Code Editing Commands, will serve as your ultimate reference for all things editing.
2. Code Editing Commands
These shortcuts handle everything related to writing, editing, and manipulating code. We’ve divided them into categories for clarity.
2.1. Basic Line and Block Operations
Ctrl + C — Copy current line (if nothing is selected).
Ctrl + X — Cut current line (if nothing is selected).
Ctrl + V — Paste from clipboard.
Ctrl + Shift + K — Delete current line.
Ctrl + Enter — Insert a new line below.
Ctrl + Shift + Enter — Insert a new line above.
Alt + ↑ / Alt + ↓ — Move current line or selected block up/down.
Shift + Alt + ↑ / Shift + Alt + ↓ — Duplicate current line or selection above/below.
Ctrl + J — Join selected lines into one.
2.2. Indentation and Alignment
Tab / Shift + Tab — Indent / outdent selection.
Ctrl + ] / Ctrl + [ — Increase/decrease indentation.
Ctrl + K, Ctrl + * — Align code (requires extension).
2.3. Commenting
Ctrl + / — Toggle line comment.
Shift + Alt + A — Toggle block comment.
2.4. Deleting and Clearing
Ctrl + Delete — Delete word to the right.
Ctrl + Backspace — Delete word to the left.
Ctrl + Shift + Delete — Delete from cursor to line end.
Ctrl + Shift + Backspace — Delete from cursor to line start.
Ctrl + K, Ctrl + X — Trim trailing whitespace.
2.5. Text Selection
Shift + Arrow Keys — Select character by character.
Ctrl + Shift + Arrow Keys — Select word by word.
Shift + Home / Shift + End — Select to start/end of line.
Ctrl + Shift + Home / Ctrl + Shift + End — Select to start/end of document.
Ctrl + L — Select entire line.
Ctrl + Shift + L — Select all occurrences of selection.
Ctrl + F2 — Select all occurrences of current word.
2.6. Multi-Cursor Editing
Alt + Click — Add a new cursor.
Ctrl + Alt + ↑ / Ctrl + Alt + ↓ — Add cursor above/below.
Ctrl + D — Select next occurrence of word.
Shift + Alt + Drag (mouse) — Column selection.
Ctrl + Shift + Alt + Arrow Keys — Column selection without mouse.
2.7. Bracket & Tag Navigation
Ctrl + Shift + \ — Jump to matching bracket.
Ctrl + M — Move to matching bracket.
Ctrl + Shift + \ — Jump between opening/closing tags (HTML/XML).
2.8. Word and Paragraph Navigation
Ctrl + → / Ctrl + ← — Jump word by word.
Ctrl + ↑ / Ctrl + ↓ — Scroll without moving cursor.
Home / End — Move to start/end of line.
Ctrl + Home / Ctrl + End — Move to start/end of document.
2.9. Text Transformation (some require extension)
Ctrl + Shift + U — Convert to uppercase.
Ctrl + Shift + L — Convert to lowercase (extension).
Alt + Shift + U — Convert to title case (extension).
Ctrl + K, U — Uppercase selected text.
Ctrl + K, L — Lowercase selected text.
2.10. Sorting and Cleaning (requires extension)
Shift + Alt + S — Sort selected lines.
Ctrl + Shift + Backspace + Delete combo — Remove empty lines (extension).
2.11. Word Wrap and View Options
Alt + Z — Toggle word wrap.
💡 Tip: Many rare commands (sorting, case conversion) require installing official extensions like Sort Lines or Text Power Tools.
3. Navigation
Ctrl + P — Quick open file.
Ctrl + Tab — Switch recent files.
Ctrl + Shift + T — Reopen closed file.
Ctrl + Shift + O — Go to symbol in file.
Ctrl + T — Search symbols in workspace.
F12 — Go to definition.
Alt + F12 — Peek definition.
4. Search and Replace
Ctrl + F — Find in file.
Ctrl + H — Replace in file.
Ctrl + Shift + F — Search across files.
Ctrl + Shift + H — Replace across files.
5. Multi-Cursor and Selection (Quick Recap)
Ctrl + Alt + ↑ / ↓ — Add cursors.
Ctrl + D — Next match.
Ctrl + Shift + L — All matches.
6. Panels and Interface
Ctrl + B — Toggle sidebar.
Ctrl + \ — Split editor.
Ctrl + 1 / 2 / 3 — Focus editor group.
7. Terminal and Debugging
Ctrl + ` — Toggle terminal.
Ctrl + Shift + ` — New terminal.
F5 — Start debugging.
8. Formatting and Refactoring
Shift + Alt + F — Format document.
Ctrl + K, Ctrl + F — Format selection.
F2 — Rename symbol.
Ctrl + . — Quick fix.
9. Source Control (Git)
Ctrl + Shift + G — Source Control view.
Ctrl + Enter — Commit changes.
10. Extensions & Language Features
Ctrl + Space — Trigger suggestions.
Ctrl + Shift + Space — Parameter hints.
11. Zen Mode & Layout
Ctrl + K, Z — Zen Mode.
Ctrl + K, Ctrl + W — Close all editors.
12. Customizing Shortcuts
Ctrl + K, Ctrl + S — Keyboard Shortcuts editor.
13. Conclusion
By mastering the Code Editing Commands and other key areas, you can cut your coding time drastically and work far more efficiently.
