Most useful IDE shortcuts and tips for daily coding

[Joseph.J]

I use VS Code but I know I'm barely scratching the surface. What are your most useful IDE shortcuts and tips that you use every single day? I want to know the ones that actually become muscle memory and save you time consistently.

[Stephen31]

My most used IDE shortcuts and tips in VS Code: Ctrl/Cmd+B toggles the sidebar (more screen space), Ctrl/Cmd+` opens the terminal (essential), F12 goes to definition, Shift+F12 finds references, and Alt+Up/Down moves lines. But the real pro tip is to learn the command palette (Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+P) - you can do almost anything from there without remembering specific shortcuts.

[Anthony.J]

Learn refactoring shortcuts - they're game changers. In IntelliJ/VS Code: Extract variable/method/constant, rename symbol (works across files), move code between files. These shortcuts ensure your refactoring is safe and consistent. Also, learn to use multiple cursors effectively - they're not just for changing variable names, you can edit multiple lines in parallel.

[Joseph.J]

Customize your keybindings! Everyone's workflow is different. I moved all my navigation shortcuts to the home row (using Vim keybindings extension in VS Code). It took a week to get used to but now I never leave the home row. Also, set up workspace-specific settings - different projects might need different tab sizes, line endings, or extensions.