Essential VS Code Extensions for Web Development You Should Know
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Just a few months back, I launched my very first full-stack website, and it was quite the adventure. Throughout my journey as a beginner web developer, I found myself frustrated with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Node.js, VS Code, and nearly every other tool I encountered. I barely made it through, and I owe a huge part of my success to the nine extensions listed below.
1. Live Server
This extension is a must-have for web development, practically indispensable for any developer. It’s among the most popular extensions available for VS Code, so if you haven't installed it yet, do it now.
Key Features: - View your web application in real-time. - See immediate effects of code changes.
Video Tutorial:
Pro Tip: Enable autosave for the full benefits of this extension.
2. Bracket Pair Colonizer
When working with CSS or JavaScript, you often end up with an overwhelming number of brackets on your screen. It’s no secret that clean code doesn’t always come easily. This extension addresses that confusion.
Key Features: - Color codes bracket pairs to enhance visibility. - Customize the colors of your brackets.
Video Tutorial:
3. CSS Peek
As you develop, your HTML and CSS files can become long and unwieldy, making constant switching between them tedious. CSS Peek solves this annoyance.
Key Features: - View CSS applied to HTML inline. - Edit CSS directly within the HTML file.
Video Tutorial:
4. Auto Close Tag
Occasionally, VS Code would automatically close HTML tags for me, but other times it wouldn’t. After some frustration, I discovered the Auto Close Tag extension.
Key Feature: - Automatically closes HTML tags, allowing for a more relaxed coding style.
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5. Prettier
We naturally appreciate beauty, but crafting aesthetically pleasing code can be a challenge. Prettier acts like Photoshop but for your code.
Key Features: - Ensures your code is properly formatted. - Maintains consistency across your codebase. - Focuses on optimal line lengths.
Video Tutorial:
Pro Tip: This extension is invaluable for all developers, regardless of the type of project.
6. JavaScript (ES6) Code Snippets
JavaScript is a key language in web development, and automating even a portion of the coding process can save a lot of time.
Key Features: - Access shortcuts for imports, exports, class helpers, console methods, and more.
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7. ES7 React/Redux/React-Native Snippets
Starting with React presented a steep learning curve for me, making web development even more time-consuming. This extension provides snippets that ease the process.
Key Features: - Offers shortcuts for methods, imports, exports, and more in React, Redux, and React Native.
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8. Intellisense for CSS Class Names in HTML
This extension simplifies the web development process by enhancing CSS functionalities.
Key Features: - Autocompletes CSS class definitions.
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9. Path Intellisense
When building websites, handling numerous files can be tedious. This extension streamlines that process.
Key Features: - Autocompletes filenames, providing alternatives if the first choice is not accepted.
Video Tutorial:
That’s all for now. I hope this information proves helpful to someone!