My Favorite VS Code Extensions: Boosting Productivity and Workflow

 

Hello everyone! I'm excited to share with you my favorite VS Code extensions that have helped me boost my productivity and workflow, first as a developer and now as a frontend architect at Verndale. After some time trying other tools, I've been using VS Code as my go-to Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for a while now and have come across some fantastic extensions that have helped me write cleaner code, automate repetitive tasks, and save time. So, without further extra hassle, let's take a look at the extensions I've added.

• Edit Hosts File
  This extension allows me to edit my hosts file directly from within VS Code. This is especially useful when I'm working on local development and need to switch between multiple environments quickly. With this extension, I no longer need to open my hosts file in a separate editor, edit it, and save it. I can do it all from within VS Code.
  
  
• EditorConfig for VS Code
  This extension allows me to maintain consistent coding styles across different editors and IDEs. With EditorConfig, I can define and enforce coding styles, such as indentation, line endings, and whitespace, across different projects and team members. This has helped me avoid code styling conflicts and makes collaboration much smoother.
   
• ESLint
  This extension helps me enforce coding standards and catch common errors and code smells. It integrates with my code editor and lints my JavaScript code as I type, providing feedback on syntax errors, unused variables, and other common issues. This has helped me write cleaner and more maintainable code.
   
• Excel Viewer
  This extension allows me to view Excel files within VS Code. Sometimes, I need to look at data in a spreadsheet while I'm coding, and this extension makes it easy to do that without having to switch between different applications.
   
• Git History
  This extension allows me to view the Git history of a file directly from within VS Code. I can see who made what changes and when, which helps me understand the context of the code I'm working with. It's a great way to get a quick overview of a file's history without having to leave the editor.
   
• Github Copilot and Github Copilot Labs
  These extensions are game-changers. Github Copilot is an AI-powered code autocompletion tool that suggests code snippets as I type. It's like having a pair programming buddy that can read my mind! Github Copilot Labs takes it even further by providing suggestions for entire functions and classes. These extensions have saved me countless hours of typing and have helped me learn new coding techniques and best practices.
  
  
• Jira and Bitbucket (Atlassian Labs)
  These extensions allow me to interact with Jira and Bitbucket directly from within VS Code. I can create and manage issues, view pull requests, and perform other actions without having to switch between applications. This has helped me keep track of my work and collaborate with my team more efficiently.
   
• Peacock
  This extension allows me to customize the colors of my VS Code workspace to help me differentiate between different projects and environments. For example, I can set the background color of a workspace to green when I'm working on a development environment, and red when I'm working on a production environment. This helps me avoid confusion and makes it easier to switch between projects.
   
• Prettier - Code Formatter
  This extension automaticallly formats my code according to predefined rules. This ensures that my code is consistently formatted, which makes it easier to read and maintain. It saves me a lot of time and effort , as I don't need to manually format my code.
   
• Source Map Visualization
  This extension visualizes source maps, which help me debug my JavaScript code more efficiently. It displays the original source code next to the transpiled code, making it easier to trace the execution of my code and understand what's going on under the hood. This extension has been especially helpful when I'm working with complex frameworks like React or Angular.
   
• Todo Tree
  This extension allows me to keep track of TODO comments in my code. It scans my code for comments that contain keywords like TODO, FIXME, and NOTE, and displays them in a tree view. This makes it easy to keep track of tasks that I need to complete, and it helps me avoid missing important to-dos.
   
• YAML
  This extension provides YAML language support in VS Code.. It highlights syntax errors and provides autocomplete suggestions, making it easier to write valid YAML files. This has been especially helpful when I'm working with configuration files, such as those used in Docker or Kubernetes.

In summary, these VS Code extensions have helped me become more productive, efficient, and organized in my work. Whether it's automating repetitive tasks, enforcing coding standards, or visualizing source maps, each extension has made a valuable contribution to my workflow. I highly recommend them to any frontend developer looking to improve their productivity and efficiency.

I hope you found this blog post useful. If you have any favorite VS Code extensions that you think I should try, please let me know in the comments below!