Engineering

Must Have VSCode Extensions

Austin McDaniel

3/19/2024

If you're a developer who spends a significant amount of time coding in Visual Studio Code, you'll know that the right extensions can make all the difference. Here are a few handpicked favorites that I think you'll find invaluable in your coding journey.

First up, we have Color Highlight. This little gem is fantastic for any dev who works with a lot of colors in their code. It gives you a visual representation of the color right in your editor, saving you the time of looking up hex codes. Link: https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=naumovs.color-highlight

Next is Data Preview. This is a real game-changer if you're into data analysis or working with large datasets. It allows you to preview your data in a tabular format, making it easier to inspect and comprehend. Link: https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=RandomFractalsInc.vscode-data-preview

Tailwind IntelliSense is a must-have for those using Tailwind CSS. It enhances the coding experience by providing you with autocompletions, linting, hover previews, and more. Trust me, once you've tried it, you'll wonder how you ever coded without it. Link: https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=bradlc.vscode-tailwindcss

Vitest is a favorite for Vue.js developers but it works with any framework using Vite. It's a test runner, and it integrates beautifully with VSCode. It's a great tool to have in your arsenal if you're into TDD (Test-Driven Development). Link: https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=vitest.explorer

NPM IntelliSense is a lifesaver for those who work with a lot of npm modules. It autocompletes npm modules in your code, saving you the trouble of remembering the exact names of all your dependencies. Link: https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=christian-kohler.npm-intellisense

Tailwind Fold is another excellent extension for Tailwind CSS users. It helps you to fold Tailwind classes into multi-lines in your HTML files, making your code more readable and manageable. Link: https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=stivo.tailwind-fold

Lastly, we have Polacode. This is a fun one! It lets you take beautiful screenshots of your code. Perfect for those times when you want to share a snippet of your code on social media or in a blog post. Link: https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=pnp.polacode

So there you have it! Some fantastic VSCode extensions that will boost your productivity and make coding a more enjoyable experience