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VS Code Shortcuts

This page is a complete keyboard shortcut reference for VS Code on Linux, covering all 29 shortcuts organized into 6 sections. Whether you’re new to VS Code or looking to master advanced features, this cheat sheet has every key combination you need — from basic editing and navigation to app-specific power-user actions.

Keyboard shortcuts are the fastest way to work in VS Code. Every time you use a shortcut instead of reaching for the mouse, you save a few seconds — and those seconds compound into hours over weeks and months. Start with the shortcuts you use most (copy, paste, undo, save), then gradually add app-specific ones as they become relevant to your workflow. Bookmark this page or download the PDF cheat sheet for quick reference.

Using keyboard shortcuts in VS Code reduces context switching between keyboard and mouse, helping you maintain focus and work more efficiently. Research shows that shortcut-driven workflows can save up to 8 working days per year compared to menu-driven navigation. On Linux, most VS Code shortcuts follow standard conventions — once you learn the modifier key patterns, new shortcuts become intuitive.

Tips for Learning Shortcuts

  • Practice one new VS Code shortcut each day. Muscle memory builds faster when you focus on a single combination at a time rather than trying to learn them all at once.
  • Print or bookmark this page for quick reference while working in VS Code. Having shortcuts visible nearby helps bridge the gap between looking them up and recalling them from memory.
  • Start with the shortcuts you use most. In VS Code, common actions like copy, paste, undo, and save are worth learning first since they apply across nearly every workflow.

General5

ActionShortcut
Command PaletteCtrlShiftP
Quick Open FileCtrlP
New WindowCtrlShiftN
Open SettingsCtrl,
Toggle TerminalCtrl`

Editing8

ActionShortcut
Select Word / Next OccurrenceCtrlD
Select All OccurrencesCtrlShiftL
Move Line UpAlt
Move Line DownAlt
Delete LineCtrlShiftK
Toggle CommentCtrl/
Outdent LineCtrl[
Indent LineCtrl]

View5

ActionShortcut
Toggle SidebarCtrlB
ExplorerCtrlShiftE
Source ControlCtrlShiftG
ExtensionsCtrlShiftX
Split EditorCtrl\

Debug3

ActionShortcut
Start DebuggingF5
Stop DebuggingShiftF5
Toggle BreakpointF9

Frequently Asked Questions

Access VS Code shortcuts from your menu bar

KeyShortcut detects the active app and shows its shortcuts instantly. No memorization needed.