As a developer, your tools are your most significant asset in your workflow. One of the most popular and highly regarded code editors on the market today is Visual Studio Code (VSCode). VSCode offers an extensive range of features that can be extended and customized through the use of packages. These packages can help you streamline your workflow, save time, and improve your overall coding experience.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 10 VSCode packages that you should consider using in 2023 to streamline your workflow and increase your productivity.
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Live Share
Live Share is a fantastic VSCode package that enables real-time collaboration between multiple developers. With Live Share, you can share your code and debugging sessions with other team members, making it easier to work together on a project. This package also includes features like audio and text chat, which makes it easy to communicate with your team members while working on the same codebase.
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GitLens
If you’re using Git for version control, then GitLens is an essential VSCode package that you should have. GitLens enhances the Git experience in VSCode by adding features like blame annotations, code lenses, and much more. With GitLens, you can easily track changes to your codebase and understand who made those changes.
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Bracket Pair Colorizer
The Bracket Pair Colorizer package is a must-have for any developer who works with multiple nested brackets, parentheses, and braces. This package color-codes these brackets, making it easier to see which ones match and which ones don’t. This feature can save you a lot of time and headaches while working on large codebases.
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Prettier
Prettier is a VSCode package that automatically formats your code to make it look clean and consistent. With Prettier, you can say goodbye to manual formatting, saving you time and effort. This package supports several programming languages, including JavaScript, TypeScript, and HTML.
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ESLint
ESLint is an essential VSCode package for developers who want to ensure that their code is error-free and follows best practices. This package automatically detects and flags common programming errors and helps you adhere to coding standards. ESLint supports many programming languages, including JavaScript, TypeScript, and Python.
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IntelliSense
IntelliSense is a VSCode package that provides code completion and suggestion features while you’re coding. This package can significantly speed up your coding process by reducing the number of keystrokes you need to complete a line of code. IntelliSense supports several programming languages, including JavaScript, TypeScript, and C#.
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Docker
The Docker package is essential for developers who work with containerized applications. This package provides features that help you manage Docker containers and images from within VSCode. With Docker, you can quickly create, run, and manage containers without ever leaving VSCode.
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Remote Development
Remote Development is a VSCode package that enables you to work on remote machines or virtual machines from within VSCode. This package can be a real-time-saver for developers who need to work on a remote server or VM. With Remote Development, you can use your local VSCode environment to edit, debug, and run code on a remote machine.
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Rainbow CSV
If you work with CSV files regularly, then Rainbow CSV is a package you should consider. This package color-codes CSV files, making it easier to read and parse large datasets. Rainbow CSV also provides features like column alignment and sorting, which can be incredibly useful when working with large datasets.
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REST Client
The REST Client package is essential for developers who work with RESTful APIs. This package enables you to test RESTful APIs directly from within VSCode. With REST Client, you can send HTTP requests, receive responses, and see the results
In conclusion, Visual Studio Code is a mighty code editor that can be extended and customized through the use of packages. The packages we’ve discussed in this article are just a small selection of the many options available to developers. Using these packages allows you to streamline your workflow, save time, and improve your overall coding experience. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting, these top 10 VSCode packages should be in your toolbox to help you achieve your goals in 2023 and beyond.