If you’re a new developer (or even an experienced one looking to level up), Visual Studio Code or VS Code Extension is probably your go-to editor. It’s lightweight, customizable, and packed with features — but the real magic happens when you start adding extensions.
Think of extensions as “power-ups” for your editor. They save you time, reduce mistakes, and help you write cleaner, faster, and smarter code.
So in this post, let’s walk through 10 essential VS Code extensions every developer should have in their toolkit — explained in simple, friendly language so you can get started right away.
1. Prettier – Code Formatter
Ever stared at messy code and felt your brain glitch?
Prettier fixes that.
It automatically formats your code the moment you save — consistent indentation, spacing, quotes… everything. No more worrying about style. Just write, save, and relax.
Perfect for: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, TypeScript, JSON, and more.
2. ESLint
If Prettier handles code style, ESLint handles code quality.
Think of it as a grammar checker for JavaScript/TypeScript. It highlights errors, warns you about bad patterns, and helps you avoid bugs before they happen.
Great for beginners who want to develop clean coding habits from Day 1.
3. GitLens
Working with Git? GitLens is like having superpowers.
It shows:
- who wrote each line of code
- when it was changed
- why certain changes were made
- quick diff views
- history of a file
Instead of guessing why your code broke, GitLens gives you the whole story.
4. Live Server
If you’re learning frontend development, this is a must-have.
Live Server launches a local development server and reloads your browser automatically whenever you save your file. No more pressing refresh a hundred times.
Perfect for HTML/CSS/JavaScript projects.
5. Path IntelliSense
Typing long import paths feels… unnecessary.
This extension autocompletes file paths for you — whether you’re importing a component, referencing an image, or linking a stylesheet.
It saves time and avoids typos (we’ve all misspelled file names at some point).
6. REST Client (or Thunder Client)
Testing APIs shouldn’t require switching apps.
REST Client lets you send HTTP requests directly from VS Code.
Create a file, write something like:
GET https://api.example.com/users
… and hit send.
It’s like having Postman inside your editor. Beginners love it because it simplifies learning APIs.
7. Tabnine (AI Autocomplete)
Coding can sometimes feel repetitive. AI tools like Tabnine help by predicting code as you type.
It suggests:
- method names
- commonly used patterns
- boilerplate code
You still write the logic — it just speeds up the repetitive parts.
8. Docker
If you’re getting into backend development, microservices, or DevOps, the Docker extension is a lifesaver.
It lets you:
- build images
- run containers
- browse logs
- manage containers
… all without leaving VS Code.
As projects grow, this becomes incredibly handy.
9. Settings Sync
Many developers work on multiple machines — office laptop, personal PC, maybe even a cloud environment.
Settings Sync keeps your:
- themes
- extensions
- shortcuts
- settings
… perfectly synced across all devices.
Set it once, enjoy everywhere.
10. Bracket Pair Colorizer (or Built-in Bracket Highlighting)
Ever lost track of which { matches which }?
Bracket Pair Colorizer color-codes them so every opening and closing bracket becomes easy to spot. It’s a small thing, but it boosts readability — especially for beginners.
As We Conclude
Extensions are what make VS Code truly powerful. The right set can dramatically improve your speed, accuracy, and confidence as a developer — especially when you’re just starting out.
Start with the essentials, experiment a little, and over time you’ll build the perfect setup for your workflow.
