10 Must-Try VS Code Extensions That Will Transform Your Development Experience

Govinda Prakash
2 min readMay 30, 2023

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) has become a go-to code editor for developers worldwide due to its versatility and extensibility. With a vibrant extension ecosystem, developers can enhance their coding experience by adding powerful tools and features to their workflow. In this article, we’ll explore 10 fascinating VS Code extensions that every developer should try. These extensions cover a range of functionalities, from code editing and debugging to productivity and collaboration. Let’s dive in!

  1. Template String Converter: Simplify your work with template strings using the Template String Converter extension. It automatically converts strings to template strings as you type, eliminating the hassle of manual formatting. Boost your efficiency and readability when working with dynamic content.
  2. IntelliCode API Usage Examples: Say goodbye to searching for code examples. With IntelliCode API Usage Examples, you can access a vast collection of real-world code examples for over 100K APIs directly within your editor. Accelerate your development process by learning from existing implementations and best practices.
  3. Live Share: Collaboration made seamless! Live Share enables real-time collaborative development, allowing you to code together with team members regardless of programming languages or app types. Share projects, debugging sessions, and more while retaining your personal preferences for a truly productive collaborative experience.
  4. REST Client: Testing APIs becomes a breeze with the REST Client extension. Send HTTP requests and view responses directly in VS Code. Debug, analyze, and interact with your APIs effortlessly, making API integration and troubleshooting a smoother process.
  5. Rainbow CSV: Make working with CSV files more colorful and efficient using Rainbow CSV. This extension highlights columns in comma, tab, semicolon, and pipe-separated files with different colors. It also provides SQL-like query language capabilities, sticky headers, and data transformation features, enhancing your data analysis workflow.
  6. Bookmarks: Navigate through your code like a pro with the Bookmarks extension. Easily mark and jump between important positions in your codebase. This extension also supports selection commands, allowing you to select bookmarked lines and regions for faster code analysis and log file exploration.
  7. GitLens: Level up your Git workflow with GitLens. This extension supercharges your Git experience by providing inline Git blame annotations, code lens displays, and intuitive navigation to explore Git repositories. Gain valuable insights into code authorship and easily track changes.
  8. Code Spell Checker: Eliminate typos and spelling errors in your code with the Code Spell Checker extension. It provides real-time spelling suggestions and customizable dictionaries to ensure clean and error-free code. Improve code readability and maintain professionalism in your projects.
  9. Prettier: Maintaining consistent code formatting becomes effortless with Prettier. This extension automatically formats your code according to predefined rules, saving you time and eliminating debates over code style within your team. Enjoy clean, standardized code across your projects.
  10. Docker: Simplify container-based development with the Docker extension. It enables you to build, manage, and deploy containers right from within VS Code. Seamlessly switch between your code editor and container environment, streamlining your development workflow.

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