VS Code Setup and WSL2 IntegrationLesson 5.2

How to configure VS Code settings and keybindings

settings.json, user vs workspace settings, common developer settings, editor.formatOnSave, tabSize, defaultFormatter, keybindings.json, useful built-in shortcuts

VS Code Settings and Keybindings

VS Code stores configuration in JSON files. User settings apply globally; workspace settings (.vscode/settings.json) apply to one project and can override user settings.

Open settings.json

# Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P):
# Preferences: Open User Settings (JSON)

Recommended developer settings

{
  "editor.formatOnSave": true,
  "editor.tabSize": 2,
  "editor.insertSpaces": true,
  "editor.defaultFormatter": "esbenp.prettier-vscode",
  "editor.fontSize": 14,
  "terminal.integrated.defaultProfile.linux": "zsh",
  "files.trimTrailingWhitespace": true,
  "files.insertFinalNewline": true
}

Essential built-in keyboard shortcuts

Ctrl+P           # quick file open
Ctrl+Shift+P     # command palette
Ctrl+B           # toggle sidebar
Ctrl+/           # toggle line comment
Alt+Up/Down      # move line up or down
Shift+Alt+F      # format document
Ctrl+D           # select next occurrence

Custom keybinding example

[
  {
    "key": "ctrl+shift+t",
    "command": "workbench.action.terminal.new"
  }
]