10 VS Code Extensions That Skyrocketed My Productivity

Introduction

In the fast-paced world of coding, productivity isn’t just about typing faster — it’s about working smarter. As developers, freelancers, tech students, and software engineers, we rely on our tools to help us write clean, efficient code and collaborate seamlessly. Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is already a developer favorite, and its true power lies in its extensions.

In this blog, I’m sharing 10 VS Code extensions that dramatically improved my workflow, streamlined my code, and saved me countless hours. Plus, I’ll include simple install instructions so you can start using them right away.

If you're looking to learn web development or enhance your coding skills, check out Web Development Training for expert-led courses and resources to help you level up your career.

---

What Are VS Code Extensions?

VS Code extensions are small software add-ons that enhance the editor’s functionality. From improving code formatting to enabling live collaboration, these extensions are essential tools that customize and supercharge your coding experience.

---

10 Must-Have VS Code Extensions for 2025 (With Install Instructions)

1️⃣ GitLens — Master Your Version Control

What It Does:
GitLens supercharges the built-in Git capabilities of VS Code, making it effortless to track code changes and authorship.

Why It’s a Game-Changer:
Instantly view who made changes, when, and why — right within your code editor. No more terminal digging.

Key Features:

• Inline blame annotations
• Commit history browsing
• File heatmaps
• Repository insights

Pro Tip:
Enable Line History to avoid merge conflicts and catch last-minute changes.

---

2️⃣ Prettier — Keep Your Code Clean and Consistent

What It Does:
Prettier is an opinionated code formatter that ensures your code remains neat, consistent, and readable.

Why It’s a Game-Changer:
Forget manual formatting. Prettier formats your code on save, keeping it clean and professional.

Key Features:

• Supports multiple languages
• Auto-formats on save
• Integrates with ESLint
• Customizable rules

Pro Tip:
Add a .prettierrc file for project-specific formatting rules.

---

3️⃣ ESLint — Instantly Spot and Fix Code Errors

What It Does:
ESLint automatically detects errors, bugs, and style issues in your JavaScript code.

Why It’s a Game-Changer:
It enforces clean, error-free code before you even hit commit.

Key Features:

• Real-time error detection
• Auto-fix options
• Integrates with Prettier
• Custom rule configurations

Pro Tip:
Combine ESLint with Prettier for a bulletproof workflow.

---

4️⃣ Live Share — Collaborate in Real-Time

What It Does:
Live Share enables instant, real-time code collaboration, debugging, and terminal sharing.

Why It’s a Game-Changer:
Perfect for pair programming, remote interviews, and team debugging sessions.

Key Features:

• Real-time code editing
• Shared terminals
• Debugging sessions
• No environment sync needed

Pro Tip:
Use session passwords for secure coding sessions.

---

5️⃣ IntelliCode — AI-Powered Code Suggestions

What It Does:
IntelliCode enhances code completion with AI-driven suggestions based on your coding patterns.

Why It’s a Game-Changer:
Boosts coding speed by recommending smart, context-aware completions.

Key Features:

• AI-assisted IntelliSense
• Smart member lists
• Project-specific recommendations

Pro Tip:
Use it with popular frameworks to unlock smarter suggestions.

---

6️⃣ Code Spell Checker — Avoid Silly Mistakes

What It Does:
Code Spell Checker identifies spelling errors in code comments, variables, and strings.

Why It’s a Game-Changer:
Keeps your code clean and professional by eliminating embarrassing typos.

Key Features:

• Real-time spell checking
• Custom word list
• Multilingual support

Pro Tip:
Add technical terms to your custom dictionary.

---

7️⃣ Todo Tree — Organize Tasks Right in Your Code

What It Does:
Todo Tree highlights TODOs, FIXMEs, and custom tags in your code.

Why It’s a Game-Changer:
Easily track pending tasks without leaving your editor.

Key Features:

• Custom tag highlighting
• Task tree view
• Quick navigation to code comments

Pro Tip:
Use custom tags for project-specific priorities.

---

8️⃣ WakaTime — Track Your Coding Metrics

What It Does:
WakaTime automatically tracks your coding activity and productivity.

Why It’s a Game-Changer:
Understand where your coding hours go and optimize your workflow.

Key Features:

• Real-time time tracking
• Language and project breakdowns
• Daily, weekly, and monthly reports

Pro Tip:
Integrate with Slack for automatic daily summaries.

---

9️⃣ Polacode — Beautiful Code Screenshots

What It Does:
Polacode lets you take stunning screenshots of your code.

Why It’s a Game-Changer:
Perfect for documentation, blogs, and social media sharing.

Key Features:

• High-quality code images
• Custom background options
• Easy drag-and-drop

Pro Tip:
Use consistent themes for a polished brand presence.

---

🔟 Remote - SSH — Code on Remote Servers

What It Does:
Remote - SSH allows you to open folders and files on remote servers via SSH.

Why It’s a Game-Changer:
Code, debug, and run applications on remote environments without leaving VS Code.

Key Features:

• Seamless remote file editing
• Integrated terminal
• Port forwarding

Pro Tip:
Use ~/.ssh/config for quick server access.

---

How to Install These Extensions

Installing these extensions in VS Code is simple:

1. Open VS Code.
2. Go to the Extensions View by clicking the square icon in the sidebar or pressing Ctrl+Shift+X (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+X (Mac).
3. Type the name of the extension (e.g., GitLens, Prettier) into the search bar.
4. Click Install next to the extension you want to add.

Here’s an example for installing GitLens:

• Search for "GitLens" in the Extensions panel.
• Click Install.
• Once installed, GitLens is immediately available and will start working within your Git repository.

Repeat the process for the rest of the extensions mentioned above, and you’re all set!

---

Conclusion

The right set of tools can completely transform your productivity as a developer. These 10 VS Code extensions not only made my coding sessions smoother but also helped me save time, avoid errors, and collaborate better. Try them out, and let me know your favorites too!

Which VS Code extension do you swear by? Drop a comment below or connect with me on LinkedIn to share your productivity hacks!