11/15/2016

Visual Studio Code Key Bindings

Version 1.7 /updates is now available! Read about the new features and fixes in October.

Overview

TOPICS

Key Bindings for Visual Studio Code

https://github.com/Microsoft/vscodedocs/blob/master/docs/customization/keybindings.md

Visual Studio Code lets you perform most tasks directly from the keyboard. This page lists out the default bindings and describes how you can update them.
Additionally, you can install an extension to use the popular keybindings from your old editor.
Sublime Text Keymap https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=msvscode.sublimekeybindings Sublime Text keyboard shortcuts mapped to VS Code
commands.
Atom Keymap https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=msvscode.atomkeybindings Port of popular Atom keyboard shortcuts for VS Code users.

Note: If you visit this page on a Mac, you will see the key bindings for the Mac. If you visit using Windows or Linux, you will see the
keys for that OS. If you need the key binding for another OS, hover your mouse over the key you are interested in.

Note: The following keys are rendered assuming a standard US keyboard layout. If you use a different keyboard layout, please read
below /docs/customization/keybindings#_keyboardlayouts.

Keyboard Shortcuts Reference

We also have a printable version of these keyboard shortcuts. Help > Keyboard Shortcut Reference displays a condensed PDF version suitable for printing as an easy reference.
Below are links to the three platformspecific versions:
Windows https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=832145
macOS https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=832143
Linux https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=832144

Basic Editing
Key

Command

Command id

Cut line empty selection

editor.action.clipboardCutAction

Copy line empty selection

editor.action.clipboardCopyAction

Delete Line

editor.action.deleteLines

Enter

Insert Line Below

editor.action.insertLineAfter

Enter

Insert Line Above

editor.action.insertLineBefore

Move Line Down

editor.action.moveLinesDownAction

Move Line Up

editor.action.moveLinesUpAction

Copy Line Down

editor.action.copyLinesDownAction

Copy Line Up

editor.action.copyLinesUpAction

Add Selection To Next Find Match

editor.action.addSelectionToNextFindMatch

K D

Move Last Selection To Next Find Match

editor.action.moveSelectionToNextFindMatch

Undo last cursor operation

cursorUndo

Insert cursor at end of each line selected

editor.action.insertCursorAtEndOfEachLineSelected

Select all occurrences of current selection

editor.action.selectHighlights

F2

Select all occurrences of current word

editor.action.changeAll

Select current line

expandLineSelection

Insert Cursor Below

editor.action.insertCursorBelow

Insert Cursor Above

editor.action.insertCursorAbove

Jump to matching bracket

editor.action.jumpToBracket

https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/customization/keybindings

1/12

11/15/2016

Visual Studio Code Key Bindings

Key

Command

Command id

Indent Line

editor.action.indentLines

Outdent Line

editor.action.outdentLines

Home

Go to Beginning of Line

cursorHome

End

Go to End of Line

cursorEnd

Go to End of File

cursorBottom

Go to Beginning of File

cursorTop

PageDown

Scroll Line Down

scrollLineDown

PageUp

Scroll Line Up

scrollLineUp

PageDown

Scroll Page Down

scrollPageDown

PageUp

Scroll Page Up

scrollPageUp

Fold collapse region

editor.fold

Unfold uncollapse region

editor.unfold

K [

Fold collapse all subregions

editor.foldRecursively

K ]

Unfold uncollapse all subregions

editor.unfoldRecursively

K 0

Fold collapse all regions

editor.foldAll

K J

Unfold uncollapse all regions

editor.unfoldAll

K C

Add Line Comment

editor.action.addCommentLine

K U

Remove Line Comment

editor.action.removeCommentLine

Toggle Line Comment

editor.action.commentLine

Toggle Block Comment

editor.action.blockComment

Find

actions.find

Replace

editor.action.startFindReplaceAction

Find Next

editor.action.nextMatchFindAction

Find Previous

editor.action.previousMatchFindAction

Enter

Select All Occurences of Find Match

editor.action.selectAllMatches

Toggle Find Case Sensitive

toggleFindCaseSensitive

Toggle Find Regex

toggleFindRegex

Toggle Find Whole Word

toggleFindWholeWord

Toggle Use of Tab Key for Setting Focus

editor.action.toggleTabFocusMode

unassigned

Toggle Render Whitespace

toggleRenderWhitespace

Toggle Word Wrap

editor.action.toggleWordWrap

Rich Languages Editing

Key

Command

Command id

Space

Trigger Suggest

editor.action.triggerSuggest

Space

Trigger Parameter Hints

editor.action.triggerParameterHints

Format Document

editor.action.formatDocument

K F

Format Selection

editor.action.formatSelection

F12

Go to Definition

editor.action.goToDeclaration

https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/customization/keybindings

2/12

11/15/2016
Key

Visual Studio Code Key Bindings

Command

Command id

F12

Peek Definition

editor.action.previewDeclaration

K F12

Open Definition to the Side

editor.action.openDeclarationToTheSide

Quick Fix

editor.action.quickFix

F12

Show References

editor.action.referenceSearch.trigger

F2

Rename Symbol

editor.action.rename

Replace with Next Value

editor.action.inPlaceReplace.down

Replace with Previous Value

editor.action.inPlaceReplace.up

Expand AST Select

editor.action.smartSelect.grow

Shrink AST Select

editor.action.smartSelect.shrink

K X

Trim Trailing Whitespace

editor.action.trimTrailingWhitespace

K M

Change Language Mode

workbench.action.editor.changeLanguageMode

Navigation
Key

Command

Command id

Show All Symbols

workbench.action.showAllSymbols

Go to Line...

workbench.action.gotoLine

Go to File..., Quick Open

workbench.action.quickOpen

Go to Symbol...

workbench.action.gotoSymbol

Show Problems

workbench.actions.view.problems

F8

Go to Next Error or Warning

editor.action.marker.next

F8

Go to Previous Error or Warning

editor.action.marker.prev

Show All Commands

workbench.action.showCommands

Tab

Navigate Editor Group History

workbench.action.openPreviousRecentlyUsedEditorInGroup

Go Back

workbench.action.navigateBack

Go Forward

workbench.action.navigateForward

Editor/Window Management
Key

Command

Command id

New Window

workbench.action.newWindow

Close Window

workbench.action.closeWindow

Close Editor

workbench.action.closeActiveEditor

K F

Close Folder

workbench.action.closeFolder

unassigned

Cycle Between Editor Groups

workbench.action.navigateEditorGroups

Split Editor

workbench.action.splitEditor

Focus into Left Editor Group

workbench.action.focusFirstEditorGroup

Focus into Side Editor Group

workbench.action.focusSecondEditorGroup

Focus into Right Editor Group

workbench.action.focusThirdEditorGroup

Focus into Editor Group on the Left

workbench.action.focusPreviousGroup

Focus into Editor Group on the Right

workbench.action.focusNextGroup

https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/customization/keybindings

3/12

11/15/2016
Key

Visual Studio Code Key Bindings

Command

Command id

Move Editor Left

workbench.action.moveEditorLeftInGroup

Move Editor Right

workbench.action.moveEditorRightInGroup

Move Active Editor Group Left

workbench.action.moveActiveEditorGroupLeft

Move Active Editor Group Right

workbench.action.moveActiveEditorGroupRight

File Management
Key

Command

Command id

New File

workbench.action.files.newUntitledFile

unassigned

Open File...

workbench.action.files.openFile

Save

workbench.action.files.save

Save All

workbench.action.files.saveAll

Save As...

workbench.action.files.saveAs

Close

workbench.action.closeActiveEditor

Close Others

workbench.action.closeOtherEditors

K W

Close Group

workbench.action.closeEditorsInGroup

unassigned

Close Other Groups

workbench.action.closeEditorsInOtherGroups

unassigned

Close Group to Left

workbench.action.closeEditorsToTheLeft

unassigned

Close Group to Right

workbench.action.closeEditorsToTheRight

K W

Close All

workbench.action.closeAllEditors

Reopen Closed Editor

workbench.action.reopenClosedEditor

K Enter

Keep Open

workbench.action.keepEditor

Tab

Open Next

workbench.action.openNextRecentlyUsedEditorInGroup

Tab

Open Previous

workbench.action.openPreviousRecentlyUsedEditorInGroup

K P

Copy Path of Active File

workbench.action.files.copyPathOfActiveFile

K R

Reveal Active File in Windows

workbench.action.files.revealActiveFileInWindows

K O

Show Opened File in New Window

workbench.action.files.showOpenedFileInNewWindow

unassigned

Compare Opened File With

workbench.files.action.compareFileWith

Display
Key

Command

Command id

Toggle Full Screen

workbench.action.toggleFullScreen

Zoom in

workbench.action.zoomIn

Zoom out

workbench.action.zoomOut

unassigned

Reset Zoom

workbench.action.zoomReset

Toggle Sidebar Visibility

workbench.action.toggleSidebarVisibility

Show Debug

workbench.view.debug

Show Explorer / Toggle Focus

workbench.view.explorer

Show Git

workbench.view.git

Show Search

workbench.view.search

https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/customization/keybindings

4/12

11/15/2016
Key

Visual Studio Code Key Bindings

Command

Command id

Replace in Files

workbench.action.replaceInFiles

Show Extensions

workbench.view.extensions

Toggle Search Details

workbench.action.search.toggleQueryDetails

Open New Command Prompt

workbench.action.terminal.openNativeConsole

Show Output

workbench.action.output.toggleOutput

Toggle Markdown Preview

markdown.showPreview

K V

Open Preview to the Side

markdown.showPreviewToSide

Toggle Integrated Terminal

workbench.action.terminal.toggleTerminal

Preferences
Key

Command

Command id

Open User Settings

workbench.action.openGlobalSettings

unassigned

Open Workspace Settings

workbench.action.openWorkspaceSettings

unassigned

Open Keyboard Shortcuts

workbench.action.openGlobalKeybindings

unassigned

Open User Snippets

workbench.action.openSnippets

unassigned

Select Color Theme

workbench.action.selectTheme

unassigned

Configure Display Language

workbench.action.configureLocale

Debug
Key

Command

Command id

F9

Toggle Breakpoint

editor.debug.action.toggleBreakpoint

F5

Continue

workbench.action.debug.continue

F5

Pause

workbench.action.debug.start

F11

Step Into

workbench.action.debug.stepInto

F11

Step Out

workbench.action.debug.stepOut

F10

Step Over

workbench.action.debug.stepOver

F5

Stop

workbench.action.debug.stop

K I

Show Hover

editor.action.showHover

Tasks
Key

Command

Command id

Run Build Task

workbench.action.tasks.build

unassigned

Run Test Task

workbench.action.tasks.test

Extensions
Key

Command

Command id

unassigned

Install Extension

workbench.extensions.action.installExtension

unassigned

Show Installed Extensions

workbench.extensions.action.showInstalledExtensions

unassigned

Show Outdated Extensions

workbench.extensions.action.listOutdatedExtensions

unassigned

Show Recommended Extensions

workbench.extensions.action.showRecommendedExtensions

https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/customization/keybindings

5/12

11/15/2016
Key

Visual Studio Code Key Bindings

Command

Command id

unassigned

Show Popular Extensions

workbench.extensions.action.showPopularExtensions

unassigned

Update All Extensions

workbench.extensions.action.updateAllExtensions

Customizing Shortcuts
All keyboard shortcuts in VS Code can be customized via the User/keybindings.json file.
To configure keyboard shortcuts the way you want, go to the menu under File > Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts. Code > Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts on Mac
This will open the Default Keyboard Shortcuts on the left and your User/keybindings.json file where you can overwrite the default bindings on the right.
The list above isn't exhaustive. More commands may be listed under "Here are other available commands" in Default Keyboard Shortcuts .

Keyboard Rules
The keyboard shortcuts dispatching is done by analyzing a list of rules that are expressed in JSON. Here are some examples:
// Keybindings that are active when the focus is in the editor
{ "key": "home",
"command": "cursorHome",
{ "key": "shift+home",
"command": "cursorHomeSelect",

"when": "editorTextFocus" },
"when": "editorTextFocus" },

// Keybindings that are complementary

{ "key": "f5",
"command": "workbench.action.debug.continue", "when": "inDebugMode" },
{ "key": "f5",
"command": "workbench.action.debug.start",
"when": "!inDebugMode" },
// Global keybindings
{ "key": "ctrl+f",
{ "key": "alt+left",
{ "key": "alt+right",

"command": "actions.find" },
"command": "workbench.action.navigateBack" },
"command": "workbench.action.navigateForward" },

// Global keybindings using chords (two separate keypress actions)

{ "key": "ctrl+k enter",
"command": "workbench.action.keepEditor" },
{ "key": "ctrl+k ctrl+w",
"command": "workbench.action.closeAllEditors" },

Each rule consists of:

a key that describes the pressed keys.
a command containing the identifier of the command to execute.
an optional when clause containing a boolean expression that will be evaluated depending on the current context.
Chords two separate keypress actions are described by separating the two keypresses with a space. E.g.: ctrl+k ctrl+c .
When a key is pressed:
the rules are evaluated from bottom to top.
the first rule that matches, both the key and in terms of when , is accepted.
no more rules are processed.
if a rule is found and has a command set, the command is executed.
The additional User/keybindings.json rules are appended at runtime to the bottom of the default rules, thus allowing them to overwrite the default rules. The
User/keybindings.json file is watched by VS Code so editing it while VS Code is running will update the rules at runtime.

Accepted keys
The key is made up of modifiers and the key itself.
The following modifiers are accepted:
Platform

Modifiers

Mac

ctrl+ , shift+ , alt+ , cmd+

Windows

ctrl+ , shift+ , alt+ , win+

Linux

ctrl+ , shift+ , alt+ , meta+

The following keys are accepted:

f1-f19 , a-z , 0-9
`, -, =, [, ], \, ;, ', ,, ., /
left , up , right , down , pageup , pagedown , end , home
tab , enter , escape , space , backspace , delete
pausebreak , capslock , insert
numpad0-numpad9 , numpad_multiply , numpad_add , nupad_separator
numpad_subtract , numpad_decimal , numpad_divide

when Clause Contexts

https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/customization/keybindings

6/12

11/15/2016

Visual Studio Code Key Bindings

when Clause Contexts

VS Code gives you fine control over when your key bindings are enabled through the optional when clause. If you key binding doesn't have a when clause, the key binding is
globally available at all times.
Below are the some of the possible when clause contexts which evaluate to Boolean true/false:
Context name

True when

Editor contexts
editorFocus

An editor has focus, either the text or a widget.

editorTextFocus

The text in an editor has focus cursor is blinking.

editorHasSelection

Text is selected in the editor.

editorHasMultipleSelections

Multiple regions of text are selected multiple cursors.

editorReadOnly

The editor is read only.

editorLangId

True when the editor's associated language Id matches. Example: "editorLangId == typescript" .

Mode contexts
inDebugMode

A debug session is running.

inSnippetMode

The editor is in snippet mode.

inQuickOpen

The Quick Open dropdown has focus.

Editor widget contexts

findWidgetVisible

Editor Find widget is visible.

suggestWidgetVisible

Suggestion widget IntelliSense is visible.

suggestWidgetMultipleSuggestions

Multiple suggestions are displayed.

renameInputVisible

Rename input text box is visible.

referenceSearchVisible

Find All References peek window is open.

inReferenceSearchEditor

The Find All References peek window editor has focus.

config.editor.stablePeek

Keep peek editors open controlled by editor.stablePeek setting.

quickFixWidgetVisible

Quick Fix widget is visible.

parameterHintsVisible

Parameter hints are visible controlled by editor.parameterHints setting.

parameterHintsMultipleSignatures

Multiple parameter hints are displayed.

Integrated terminal contexts

terminalFocus

An integrated terminal has focus.

Global UI contexts
resourceLangId

True when the Explorer or editor title language Id matches. Example: "resourceLangId == markdown"

globalMessageVisible

Message box is visible at the top of VS Code.

searchViewletVisible

Search view is open.

replaceActive

Search view Replace text box is open.

The list above isn't exhaustive and you may see some when contexts for specific VS Code UI in the Default Keyboard Shortcuts .

Removing a specific key binding rule

You can write a key binding rule that targets the removal of a specific default key binding. With the keybindings.json , it was always possible to redefine all the key bindings
of VS Code, but it can be very difficult to make a small tweak, especially around overloaded keys, such as Tab or Escape . To remove a specific key binding, simply add a to the command and the rule will be a removal rule.
Here is an example:

https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/customization/keybindings

7/12

11/15/2016

Visual Studio Code Key Bindings

// In Default Keyboard Shortcuts

...
{ "key": "tab", "command": "tab", "when": ... },
{ "key": "tab", "command": "editor.emmet.action.expandAbbreviation", "when": ... },
{ "key": "tab", "command": "jumpToNextSnippetPlaceholder", "when": ... },
{ "key": "tab", "command": "acceptSelectedSuggestion", "when": ... },
...
// To remove the second rule, for example, add in keybindings.json:
{ "key": "tab", "command": "-editor.emmet.action.expandAbbreviation" }

Keyboard layouts
Note: This section relates only to key bindings, not to typing in the editor.
The keys above are string representations for virtual keys and do not necessarily relate to the produced character when they are pressed. More precisely:
Reference: https://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/windows/desktop/dd375731v=vs.85
tab for VK_TAB 0x09
; for VK_OEM_1 0xBA
= for VK_OEM_PLUS 0xBB
, for VK_OEM_COMMA 0xBC
- for VK_OEM_MINUS 0xBD
. for VK_OEM_PERIOD 0xBE
/ for VK_OEM_2 0xBF
` for VK_OEM_3 0xC0
[ for VK_OEM_4 0xDB
\ for VK_OEM_5 0xDC
] for VK_OEM_6 0xDD
' for VK_OEM_7 0xDE

etc.
Different keyboard layouts usually reposition the above virtual keys or change the characters produced when they are pressed. When using a different keyboard layout than the
standard US, Visual Studio Code does the following:
All the key bindings are rendered in the UI using the current system's keyboard layout. For example, Split Editor when using a French France keyboard layout is now
rendered as Ctrl+* :

When editing keybindings.json , VS Code highlights misleading key bindings those that are represented in the file with the character produced under the standard US
keyboard layout, but which need pressing keys with different labels under the current system's keyboard layout. For example, here is how the Default keybindings rules
look like when using a French France keyboard layout:

https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/customization/keybindings

8/12

11/15/2016

Visual Studio Code Key Bindings

There is also a widget that helps input the key binding rule when editing keybindings.json . To launch the Define Keybinding widget, press K K . The widget listens for
key presses and renders the serialized JSON representation in the text box and below it, the keys that VS Code has detected under your current keyboard layout. Once you've
typed the key combination you want, you can press Enter and a rule snippet will be inserted.

Note: Visual Studio Code detects your current keyboard layout on startup and then caches this information. For a good experience,
we recommend restarting VS Code if you change your keyboard layout.

Next Steps
Now that you know about our Key binding support, what's next...
Customization /docs/customization/overview Configure Code the way you want Themes, Settings and more
Language Support /docs/languages/overview Our Good, Better, Best language grid to see what you can expect
Debugging /docs/editor/debugging This is where VS Code really shines
Node.js /docs/runtimes/nodejs End to end Node.js scenario with a sample app

Common Questions
Q: How to find out what command is bound to a specific key?
A: In the Default Keyboard Shortcuts, open Quick Outline by pressing O

https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/customization/keybindings

9/12

11/15/2016

Visual Studio Code Key Bindings

Q: How to add a key binding to an action? E.g. Add Ctrl+D to Delete Lines
A: Find a rule that triggers the action in the Default Keyboard Shortcuts and write a modified version of it in your User/keybindings.json file:
// Original, in Default Keyboard Shortcuts
{ "key": "ctrl+shift+k",
"command": "editor.action.deleteLines",
"when": "editorTextFocus" },
// Modified, in User/keybindings.json, Ctrl+D now will also trigger this action
{ "key": "ctrl+d",
"command": "editor.action.deleteLines",
"when": "editorTextFocus" },

Q: How can I add a key binding for only certain file types?
A: Use the editorLangId context key in your when clause:
{ "key": "shift+alt+a",

"command": "editor.action.blockComment",
"when": "editorTextFocus && editorLangId == csharp" },

Q: I have modified my key bindings in User/keybindings.json , why don't they work?

A: The most common problem is a syntax error in the file. Otherwise, try removing the when clause or picking a different key . Unfortunately, at this point, it is a trial and error
process.

Was this documentation helpful?

Yes

No

Last updated on 11/2/2016

Hello from Seattle.

Follow @code

59.6K followers

Star

19,557

Support https://support.microsoft.com/enus/assistedsupportproducts
Privacy http://www.microsoft.com/privacystatement/enus/core/default.aspx
Terms of Use http://www.microsoft.com/enus/legal/intellectualproperty/copyright/default.aspx
License /License
http://www.microsoft.com
2016 Microsoft

https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/customization/keybindings

10/12

11/15/2016

https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/customization/keybindings

Visual Studio Code Key Bindings

11/12

11/15/2016

https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/customization/keybindings

Visual Studio Code Key Bindings

12/12