My 5 VS Code Extensions I can't code without
Visual Studio Code (aka VS Code) has quickly become one of the most popular code editors among developers. Its lightweight design, speed, and extensive library of extensions make it a perfect tool for both beginners and experienced programmers. While VS Code is powerful out-of-the-box, extensions are what truly elevate your development experience.
Top VS Code Extensions
1. Prettier – Code Formatter
Writing fluent and consistent code is crucial, especially when working in teams and collaborations. As one of the top-tier code formatters that programmers, Prettier automatically formats your code according to a set of rules, making it easier to read and maintain. Whether you’re working with JavaScript, HTML, CSS, or even Markdown, Prettier ensures that your code style stays consistent across projects.
The best part? An essential aspect is that you can configure Prettier to format your code on save, which saves time and eliminates the need for manual formatting. For me, Prettier eliminates the hassle of organisation and is a must-have for concise and structured code.
2. Live Server
If you’re building websites, seeing your changes in real-time is a pure game-changer. The Live Server extension allows you to launch a local development server with hot reload, meaning any changes you make to your HTML, CSS, or JavaScript files will immediately appear in your browser.
The days of constantly refreshing your browser or worrying about caching issues are now gone. Live Server streamlines the entire development process, allowing you to focus on coding instead of manual testing and creating preview servers.
3. ES7+ React/Redux/React-Native Snippets
For anyone working with frameworks like React or React Native, this extension is bold. It provides handy snippets for commonly used code patterns, from importing React components to creating functional components and hooks. Instead of typing repetitive boilerplate code, you can simply use shortcuts like rfc to generate a React functional component instantly.
Not only does it save time, but it also reduces typos and mistakes, especially when setting up Redux actions, reducers, or context APIs.
4. Path Intellisense
Managing file paths can be pretty tedious, especially in larger projects. This is where Path Intellisense comes in - it automatically suggests file names as you type, making it easy to import modules, images, or styles without worrying about spelling errors or incorrect paths.
I can’t exaggerate how much this improves productivity. No more guessing folder names or repeatedly opening directories to find the correct file. It's a small extension, but it makes a big difference.
5. Bracket Pair Colorizer 2
When you’re working with nested HTML, JavaScript, or CSS, it’s easy to lose track of which brackets, parentheses, or the positions of braces. Bracket Pair Colorizer 2 solves this problem by color-coding matching pairs, making it instantly obvious where each block starts and ends.
This extension is particularly useful for complex functions or deeply nested components. It not only reduces errors but also improves readability, so you can focus on logic rather than counting brackets. This is a quintessential to have in your developer's toolbox!
Conclusion
These five VS Code extensions — (which are) Prettier, Live Server, ES7+ React/Redux/React-Native Snippets, Path Intellisense, and Bracket Pair Colorizer 2 — have tremendously transformed the way I code. They not only enhance productivity, but reduce errors, and makes writing clean, efficient, and maintainable, easier than ever.
While there maybe a myriad of extensions available on the marketplace, these are the ones I have to install immediately on any new machine or workspace. Whether you’re a web developer, a full-stack engineer, or just starting out from scratch, integrating these extensions into your workflow will save you time and frustration.
VS Code’s true power comes from its flexibility, and by selecitng the most optimal extensions, you can tailor your development environment to fit your exact needs. If you haven’t tried these extensions yet, what are you waiting for? Give them a shot — your future self will thank you.
