⌨️ Lesson 4 of 40 Productivity Beginner

Keyboard Shortcuts & Command Palette

Mastering keyboard shortcuts is the single fastest way to level up your productivity in VS Code. This lesson covers the essential shortcuts and the all-powerful Command Palette.

10% complete

1The Command Palette

Press Ctrl+Shift+P (or F1) to open the Command Palette — the central hub for every VS Code action. Type any command name to find and run it instantly. Prefix with > for commands, @ for symbols, # for workspace symbols, or just type a filename to navigate directly.

2Essential Navigation Shortcuts

Navigation
Ctrl+P           Go to file (Quick Open)
Ctrl+Shift+P     Command Palette
Ctrl+G           Go to line
Ctrl+T           Go to symbol in workspace
Ctrl+Shift+O     Go to symbol in file
Alt+Left/Right   Navigate back / forward
Ctrl+Tab         Switch between open editors

3Essential Editing Shortcuts

Editing
Alt+Up/Down      Move line up / down
Shift+Alt+Down   Duplicate line
Ctrl+/           Toggle line comment
Ctrl+Shift+K     Delete line
Ctrl+D           Select next occurrence
Ctrl+Shift+L     Select all occurrences
Ctrl+Space       Trigger IntelliSense
F2               Rename symbol
F12              Go to definition

4Customising Keybindings

Open File › Preferences › Keyboard Shortcuts (Ctrl+K Ctrl+S) to view and edit every binding. You can import Vim, Emacs, Sublime Text or JetBrains keymaps from the marketplace to keep your muscle memory intact.

keybindings.json — custom example
[
  {
    "key": "ctrl+shift+d",
    "command": "editor.action.duplicateSelection"
  }
]

5Cheatsheet: Top 20 Shortcuts

Print or bookmark this — the 20 shortcuts that will save you the most time:

  • Ctrl+P — Quick Open file
  • Ctrl+Shift+P — Command Palette
  • Ctrl+` — Toggle terminal
  • Ctrl+B — Toggle sidebar
  • Ctrl+Z / Ctrl+Y — Undo / Redo
  • Ctrl+F — Find in file
  • Ctrl+H — Find & Replace
  • Ctrl+Shift+F — Search in workspace
  • F5 — Start debugging
  • Ctrl+Shift+E — Focus Explorer
← Lesson 3: Installing & Managing Extensions Lesson 5: Settings, Themes & Customization →
All 40 Lessons
Pick any lesson to jump straight to it.
L01
Getting Started with VS Code
FoundationBeginner
→
L02
The VS Code Interface & Layout
FoundationBeginner
→
L03
Installing & Managing Extensions
ExtensionsBeginner
→
L04
Keyboard Shortcuts & Command Palette
ProductivityBeginner
→
L05
Settings, Themes & Customization
CustomizationBeginner
→
L06
IntelliSense & Code Completion
Editor FeaturesBeginner
→
L07
Integrated Terminal Mastery
ProductivityBeginner
→
L08
Search, Find & Replace Across Files
Editor FeaturesBeginner
→
L09
Git & Source Control with VS Code
Version ControlBeginner
→
L10
Snippets & Emmet Abbreviations
ProductivityBeginner
→
L11
GitHub Copilot — Getting Started
AI & CopilotIntermediate
→
L12
Copilot Chat & Inline Ask
AI & CopilotIntermediate
→
L13
JavaScript & TypeScript Development
LanguagesIntermediate
→
L14
Python Development in VS Code
LanguagesIntermediate
→
L15
Debugging Like a Pro
DebuggingIntermediate
→
L16
Linting, Formatting & ESLint
Code QualityIntermediate
→
L17
Multi-Cursor Editing & Refactoring
Editor FeaturesIntermediate
→
L18
Workspaces & Multi-Root Projects
WorkspaceIntermediate
→
L19
Tasks, Build Systems & npm Scripts
WorkflowIntermediate
→
L20
Testing with Jest, Vitest & Pytest
TestingIntermediate
→
L21
React Development Workflow
Web DevIntermediate
→
L22
Node.js & Express in VS Code
BackendIntermediate
→
L23
Docker & Dev Containers
DevOpsIntermediate
→
L24
Live Share — Real-Time Collaboration
CollaborationIntermediate
→
L25
Jupyter Notebooks in VS Code
Data ScienceIntermediate
→
L26
REST Client & API Testing
API DevIntermediate
→
L27
SSH Remote Development
Remote DevIntermediate
→
L28
WSL 2 Integration on Windows
Remote DevIntermediate
→
L29
Advanced Debugging: Breakpoints & Watch
DebuggingAdvanced
→
L30
Copilot Agent Mode — Agentic Workflows
AI & CopilotAdvanced
→
L31
Profile & Performance Optimisation
PerformanceAdvanced
→
L32
GitHub Actions & CI/CD Integration
DevOpsAdvanced
→
L33
Custom Keybindings & Key Maps
CustomizationAdvanced
→
L34
Settings Sync & Dotfiles Management
WorkflowAdvanced
→
L35
Language Server Protocol (LSP) Explained
InternalsAdvanced
→
L36
Rust Development in VS Code
LanguagesAdvanced
→
L37
Go Development in VS Code
LanguagesAdvanced
→
L38
GitHub Codespaces & vscode.dev
Remote DevExpert
→
L39
Writing Your First VS Code Extension
Extension DevExpert
→
L40
Pro VS Code Workflow & Mastery
MasteryExpert
→