my essential vs code extensions (2025)

The right set of Visual Studio Code (VS Code) extensions can dramatically increase productivity, code quality and overall development experience as a developer. Here’s curated list of the VSCode extensions I’m currently using with brief explanation for why each is useful.

1. code intelligence & completion

GitHub Copilot / Copilot Chat: AI-powered code completion and chat for faster coding and problem-solving.
Visual Studio IntelliCode: Context-aware code completions and API usage examples.
Tabby: Open-source AI coding assistant for code suggestions.

2. language support

Go, Python, PHP, Java, TypeScript, YAML, TOML, GraphQL, Twig, MDX, Proto3, Lua, JSON: Dedicated extensions for each language (e.g., golang.go, ms-python.python, bmewburn.vscode-intelephense-client, vscjava.vscode-java-debug, redhat.vscode-yaml, tamasfe.even-better-toml, graphql.vscode-graphql, whatwedo.twig, unifiedjs.vscode-mdx, zxh404.vscode-proto3, yinfei.luahelper, zainchen.json) provide syntax highlighting, linting, debugging, and more.

3. formatting & linting

Prettier, ESLint, SQL Formatter, Hadolint, PHP CS Fixer: Keep code clean and consistent across languages.
EditorConfig: Enforces coding styles between different editors and IDEs.

Bookmarks, Peacock, Path Intellisense, NPM Intellisense, GitLens, Git Graph, Git History: Tools for easier navigation, project management, and version control.
Todo Tree: Visualizes TODOs and FIXMEs in your codebase.
Auto Import, Indent Rainbow, Rainbow CSV, Hungry Delete, Surround, Multiclip: Streamline editing and refactoring.
Vim Keybindings: For those who love Vim’s modal editing.
Import Cost: Displays the size of imported packages.
Local History: Keeps local backups of your files.

5. containers, cloud, and devops

Docker, Kubernetes Tools, Remote Containers, OpenTofu, Terraform, Infracost: Manage containers, infrastructure as code, and cloud resources directly from VS Code.

6. testing & api development

Thunder Client, Playwright, Jest, OpenAPI, Redocly, SQLTools: Test APIs, run unit tests, and interact with databases.

7. documentation & markdown

Markdown Preview Enhanced, Markdownlint, PDF Viewer, Bookmarks: Improve documentation workflows and reading experience.

8. miscellaneous

Wakatime: Automatic time tracking for coding.
Error Lens: Highlights errors and warnings inline.
Code Spell Checker: Catches spelling mistakes in code and comments.

why use so many extensions?

Each extension has a specific function, from language support to productivity boosts and code quality enforcement. Together they create ‘an effective, custom-made development environment for my workflow’.

If you want to supercharge your VS Code setup, just look at some of these extensions.