Visual Studio Code Keyboard Shortcuts — Complete Cheatsheet

Visual Studio Code is a powerful and versatile code editor. Mastering its keyboard shortcuts is crucial for maximizing your productivity and streamlining your development workflow.

Last updated: 2026-06-11

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Shortcuts

Action Windows Mac Category
Open Command Palette Ctrl+Shift+P Cmd+Shift+P General
Quick Open, Go to File Ctrl+P Cmd+P Navigation
Save File Ctrl+S Cmd+S File Management
Save All Files Ctrl+K S Cmd+K S File Management
New File Ctrl+N Cmd+N File Management
Close Editor Ctrl+W Cmd+W File Management
Cut Line/Selection Ctrl+X Cmd+X Editing
Copy Line/Selection Ctrl+C Cmd+C Editing
Paste Ctrl+V Cmd+V Editing
Undo Ctrl+Z Cmd+Z Editing
Redo Ctrl+Y Cmd+Shift+Z Editing
Find Ctrl+F Cmd+F Search
Replace Ctrl+H Cmd+Option+F Search
Find in Files Ctrl+Shift+F Cmd+Shift+F Search
Toggle Line Comment Ctrl+/ Cmd+/ Editing
Toggle Block Comment Shift+Alt+A Shift+Option+A Editing
Format Document Shift+Alt+F Shift+Option+F Editing
Go to Definition F12 F12 Navigation
Go to Line... Ctrl+G Cmd+G Navigation
Toggle Terminal Ctrl+` Ctrl+` Terminal
Open Explorer Ctrl+Shift+E Cmd+Shift+E View
Open Search Ctrl+Shift+F Cmd+Shift+F View
Open Source Control Ctrl+Shift+G Cmd+Shift+G View
Open Debug Ctrl+Shift+D Cmd+Shift+D View

Tips

  • Practice makes perfect: Regularly use shortcuts to build muscle memory. Start with a few common ones and gradually add more.
  • Explore the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P / Cmd+Shift+P): If you forget a shortcut, the Command Palette is your best friend for finding and executing commands.
  • Customize your shortcuts: Tailor VS Code to your workflow by remapping existing shortcuts or creating new ones for frequently used commands.
  • Use multi-cursor editing: Master Alt+Click (Windows/Linux) or Option+Click (Mac) to place multiple cursors for simultaneous editing, a huge time-saver.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I see all Visual Studio Code shortcuts?

You can view all default and custom shortcuts by opening the Keyboard Shortcuts editor. Press Ctrl+K Ctrl+S (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+K Cmd+S (Mac).

Can I customise Visual Studio Code shortcuts?

Yes, absolutely! Open the Keyboard Shortcuts editor (Ctrl+K Ctrl+S or Cmd+K Cmd+S). You can search for commands and then click the pencil icon to assign a new keybinding.