CheatSheetHub / VS Code Keyboard Shortcuts

VS Code Keyboard Shortcuts Cheat Sheet

Q: What's the fastest way to open a specific file in VS Code?

Press Ctrl+P (Cmd+P on Mac) and start typing the filename. VS Code's fuzzy search will match it even if you only type part of the name or skip some letters.

Q: How do I rename a variable everywhere it's used in VS Code?

Click the variable and press F2, then type the new name and hit Enter. VS Code renames every reference to that symbol across the file (and project, for supported languages), not just plain text matches.

The shortcuts worth actually memorizing, with Windows/Linux and Mac bindings side by side.

Navigation Editing & multi-cursor Refactoring Panels & terminal

Navigation

win/linuxmacaction

Ctrl+PCmd+PQuick-open a file by fuzzy-searching its name.

Ctrl+Shift+PCmd+Shift+POpen the command palette — run any VS Code command by name.

Ctrl+GCtrl+GJump to a specific line number.

Ctrl+TabCmd+TabCycle between recently opened files.

Ctrl+-Cmd+-Navigate back to the previous cursor location.

Ctrl+Shift+-Cmd+Shift+-Navigate forward again after going back.

Ctrl+WCmd+WClose the current editor tab.

Ctrl+K Ctrl+WCmd+K Cmd+WClose all open editor tabs.

Editing & multi-cursor

Alt+ClickOption+ClickAdd a new cursor at the clicked position.

Ctrl+Alt+↓Cmd+Option+↓Add a cursor directly below the current line.

Ctrl+DCmd+DSelect the next occurrence of the current word, adding a cursor each time.

Alt+↑ / ↓Option+↑ / ↓Move the current line up or down.

Shift+Alt+↓Shift+Option+↓Duplicate the current line below.

Ctrl+/Cmd+/Toggle line comment for the current selection.

Shift+Alt+FShift+Option+FFormat the entire document.

Ctrl+Shift+KCmd+Shift+KDelete the current line.

Ctrl+Shift+LCmd+Shift+LSelect all occurrences of the current selection at once.

Refactoring

F2F2Rename the symbol under the cursor everywhere it's used.

Ctrl+.Cmd+.Show quick fixes and refactoring suggestions.

F12F12Go to the definition of the symbol under the cursor.

Shift+F12Shift+F12Show all references to the symbol under the cursor.

Ctrl+Shift+OCmd+Shift+OJump to a symbol (function, class) within the current file.

Ctrl+TCmd+TSearch for a symbol across the entire project.

Alt+F12Option+F12Peek a symbol's definition inline without leaving the current file.

Panels & terminal

Ctrl+`Ctrl+`Toggle the integrated terminal.

Ctrl+BCmd+BToggle the sidebar.

Ctrl+\Cmd+\Split the editor into two panes.

Ctrl+Shift+ECmd+Shift+EFocus the file explorer.

Ctrl+Shift+FCmd+Shift+FSearch across all files in the project.

Ctrl+Shift+XCmd+Shift+XOpen the Extensions panel.

Ctrl+Shift+GCmd+Shift+GOpen the Source Control (Git) panel.

Ctrl+K ZCmd+K ZEnter Zen Mode — hide all UI except the editor.

Common questions

How do I select and edit multiple lines at once in VS Code?

Hold Alt (Option on Mac) and click each location to add a cursor there, then type normally to edit all of them at once. Ctrl+Alt+Down (Cmd+Option+Down on Mac) adds a cursor directly below the current line.

What's the fastest way to open a specific file in VS Code?

Press Ctrl+P (Cmd+P on Mac) and start typing the filename. VS Code's fuzzy search will match it even if you only type part of the name or skip some letters.

How do I rename a variable everywhere it's used in VS Code?

Click the variable and press F2, then type the new name and hit Enter. VS Code renames every reference to that symbol across the file (and project, for supported languages), not just plain text matches.