This page is a complete keyboard shortcut reference for VS Code on Windows, covering all 35 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 Windows, 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
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Command Palette | CtrlShiftP |
| Quick Open File | CtrlP |
| New Window | CtrlShiftN |
| Open Settings | Ctrl, |
| Toggle Terminal | Ctrl` |
Editing10
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Select Word / Next Occurrence | CtrlD |
| Select All Occurrences | CtrlShiftL |
| Move Line Up | Alt↑ |
| Move Line Down | Alt↓ |
| Delete Line | CtrlShiftK |
| Toggle Comment | Ctrl/ |
| Toggle block comment | CtrlShiftA |
| Outdent Line | Ctrl[ |
| Indent Line | Ctrl] |
| Insert Line Above | CtrlShiftEnter |
Search & Replace4
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Find | CtrlF |
| Find and Replace | CtrlH |
| Find in Files | CtrlShiftF |
| Replace in Files | CtrlShiftH |
View7
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Toggle Sidebar | CtrlB |
| Explorer | CtrlShiftE |
| Source Control | CtrlShiftG |
| Extensions | CtrlShiftX |
| Split Editor | Ctrl\ |
| Zoom In | Ctrl+ |
| Zoom Out | Ctrl- |
Debug3
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Start Debugging | F5 |
| Stop Debugging | ShiftF5 |
| Toggle Breakpoint | F9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Access VS Code shortcuts from your menu bar
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