Visual Studio Code (VS Code) has rapidly become one of the most popular code editors among developers due to its speed, flexibility, and vast extension ecosystem. With the right extensions, developers can streamline their workflow, write cleaner code, and reduce debugging time — ultimately boosting productivity. Here are the top 10 VS Code extensions every developer should consider.
1. Prettier – Code Formatter
Prettier is a widely used extension that automatically formats your code according to a set of style rules. Whether you’re working with JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML, or CSS, Prettier ensures your code is consistently formatted, improving readability and collaboration across teams.
Productivity Boost: Eliminates formatting debates and saves time on manual indentation or alignment.
2. ESLint
ESLint helps developers identify and fix problems in their JavaScript or TypeScript code. It catches bugs, enforces coding standards, and integrates seamlessly with most modern JS frameworks.
Productivity Boost: Reduces bugs and code review time by highlighting issues in real-time.
3. GitLens
GitLens supercharges the built-in Git capabilities of VS Code. It provides insights like who made specific code changes, when, and why, directly within the editor.
Productivity Boost: Helps understand code history quickly, making collaboration and debugging much easier.
4. Live Server
Live Server allows you to launch a local development server with live reload capability. It’s perfect for front-end developers working with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Productivity Boost: Instantly reflects changes in the browser, reducing the need to manually refresh pages.
5. Path Intellisense
This extension auto-completes filenames as you type file paths. It’s especially useful when working with complex directory structures.
Productivity Boost: Saves time and avoids errors in file imports or links.
6. Bracket Pair Colorizer 2
Bracket Pair Colorizer assigns matching colors to corresponding brackets, making it easier to identify code blocks and nested functions.
Productivity Boost: Improves code readability, especially in large files or complex logic.
7. Debugger for Chrome
This extension lets you debug JavaScript code running in Google Chrome directly from VS Code. Set breakpoints, inspect variables, and step through code without leaving the editor.
Productivity Boost: Combines coding and debugging into one interface, streamlining the development process.
8. IntelliCode
Powered by AI, IntelliCode enhances VS Code’s auto-completion by suggesting smarter and context-aware code completions based on best practices and usage patterns.
Productivity Boost: Reduces typing effort and helps maintain clean, efficient code.
9. REST Client
REST Client lets you send HTTP requests and view responses directly within VS Code. It’s a great alternative to Postman for developers working with APIs.
Productivity Boost: Speeds up API testing without needing to leave your coding environment.
10. Todo Tree
Todo Tree scans your codebase for TODO, FIXME, or custom comment tags and displays them in a convenient tree view. It’s perfect for tracking tasks and code that needs attention.
Productivity Boost: Helps manage tasks directly within the code, improving focus and organization.
Final Thoughts
The right VS Code extensions can dramatically improve your coding experience, reduce context-switching, and automate repetitive tasks. While there are thousands of extensions available, these ten are especially valuable for boosting productivity across different stages of the development lifecycle.
Every developer’s needs may vary, so it’s important to experiment and find the combination of tools that works best for your workflow. With a customized VS Code setup, you’ll not only write better code but do so more efficiently — a win for both you and your team.
