Code Like a Pro: 10 Must-Have VS Code Extensions for 2025
Visual Studio Code (VS Code) continues to dominate the development world in 2025 as one of the most flexible and feature-rich code editors available. Its real strength lies in its extensions, allowing developers to tailor their workspace for maximum productivity.
In this article, we’re highlighting the 10 essential VS Code extensions for developers in 2025, curated to enhance your coding experience across web, backend, DevOps, and cloud-based development.
Criteria for Selection
The extensions featured in this article were chosen based on:
- Popularity & Ratings on the Visual Studio Code Marketplace.
- Practical Functionality that streamlines everyday development tasks.
- Community Support & Updates ensuring long-term reliability.
- Impact on Productivity, including faster debugging, better code quality, and easier collaboration.
This list is curated for a broad range of developers: web developers, full-stack engineers, DevOps professionals, and beyond.
Top 10 Essential VS Code Extensions for Developers in 2025
1. Prettier – Code Formatter
- Primary Functionality: Automatic code formatting.
- Key Features:
- Supports multiple languages (JavaScript, TypeScript, CSS, HTML, JSON, etc.).
- Enforces consistent style across your team.
- Integrates with Git hooks.
- Use Cases:
- Automatically format your code on save to keep it clean.
- Install & Use:
- Search for “Prettier – Code formatter” in the Extensions tab or install it via Prettier Marketplace Page.
- Configuration Tips:
- Add a
.prettierrcconfig file for project-wide formatting rules.
- Add a
2. ESLint
- Primary Functionality: JavaScript and TypeScript linting.
- Key Features:
- Detects syntax and style issues.
- Auto-fix functionality for many issues.
- Customizable rulesets.
- Use Cases:
- Ensure clean, consistent code in large projects.
- Install & Use:
- Install via ESLint Marketplace Page.
- Configuration Tips:
- Use
eslint --initto generate your config file quickly.
- Use
3. Live Server
- Primary Functionality: Launch a local development server with live reload.
- Key Features:
- Auto-refreshes the browser when you save changes.
- Supports HTML, CSS, JavaScript.
- Use Cases:
- Ideal for frontend developers working with static files.
- Install & Use:
- Install from Live Server Marketplace Page and click “Go Live” in the status bar.
- Configuration Tips:
- Customize the default port and browser in
settings.json.
- Customize the default port and browser in
4. GitLens – Git Supercharged
- Primary Functionality: Enhances Git capabilities in VS Code.
- Key Features:
- Inline blame annotations.
- History and commit navigation.
- Side-by-side diffs and visual file history.
- Use Cases:
- Great for tracking changes and understanding code evolution.
- Install & Use:
- Available on GitLens Marketplace Page.
- Configuration Tips:
- Enable code lens for inline author info at the top of functions.
5. Bracket Pair Colorizer 2
- Primary Functionality: Colorizes matching brackets.
- Key Features:
- Nested brackets get unique colors.
- Enhances code readability in deeply nested code.
- Use Cases:
- Especially useful in languages like Python, JavaScript, and C++.
- Install & Use:
- Get it from the Marketplace Page.
- Configuration Tips:
- Customize color settings in
settings.jsonfor better visibility.
- Customize color settings in
6. Auto Rename Tag
- Primary Functionality: Automatically renames matching HTML/XML tags.
- Key Features:
- Saves time editing HTML, JSX, and XML.
- Use Cases:
- Quickly update tags in large HTML files.
- Install & Use:
- Install from Auto Rename Tag Marketplace Page.
- Configuration Tips:
- Works seamlessly with HTML and JSX files out of the box.
7. Code Spell Checker
- Primary Functionality: Highlights spelling errors in code comments, strings, and documentation.
- Key Features:
- Multi-language support.
- Personal dictionary feature.
- Use Cases:
- Prevent embarrassing typos in documentation and comments.
- Install & Use:
- Find it on the Marketplace Page.
- Configuration Tips:
- Add common project terms to
.cspell.json.
- Add common project terms to
8. Docker
- Primary Functionality: Manage Docker containers, images, and registries.
- Key Features:
- Build and run containers directly from VS Code.
- Visual UI for managing Docker assets.
- Use Cases:
- Perfect for DevOps and containerized development.
- Install & Use:
- Get it via the Docker Extension Marketplace Page.
- Configuration Tips:
- Integrate with Docker Compose for advanced workflows.
9. Remote – SSH
- Primary Functionality: Develop on remote machines over SSH.
- Key Features:
- Seamlessly code on remote Linux servers.
- Works with local VS Code UI.
- Use Cases:
- Great for working with cloud-based dev environments.
- Install & Use:
- Install from Remote – SSH Marketplace Page.
- Configuration Tips:
- Store SSH targets in
~/.ssh/configfor quick access.
- Store SSH targets in
10. IntelliSense for Specific Languages (e.g., Python, Java, C++)
- Primary Functionality: Smart code completions based on language semantics.
- Key Features:
- Offers autocompletion, method suggestions, and parameter hints.
- Integrates with language servers (e.g., PyLance for Python).
- Use Cases:
- Enhances coding experience for language-specific tasks.
- Install & Use:
- Example: Python Extension, C++ Extension.
- Configuration Tips:
- Enable IntelliSense features like auto-imports in
settings.json.
- Enable IntelliSense features like auto-imports in
Benefits of Using VS Code Extensions
VS Code extensions offer numerous benefits, including:
- Increased Productivity: Automate repetitive tasks and get more done in less time.
- Improved Code Quality: Catch errors and enforce coding standards with linters and formatters.
- Streamlined Workflows: Integrate with tools like Git, Docker, and SSH directly in your editor.
- Enhanced Collaboration: Consistent formatting and intelligent annotations improve team workflows.
Staying Updated with Extensions
To keep your extensions updated:
- Go to the Extensions view, and click the “Update” button if visible.
- Use
Ctrl+Shift+P→ “Extensions: Check for Updates”. - Explore trending extensions from the VS Code Marketplace.
Conclusion
With the right VS Code extensions, your development environment becomes more powerful, responsive, and tailored to your workflow. The 10 extensions listed above are tried-and-tested tools that can dramatically boost your coding productivity in 2024.
Explore, experiment, and customize your setup to match your development style. And don’t forget to share your favorite VS Code extensions with the developer community!
Suggested External Links:
✅ Note: All extensions listed are actively maintained and compatible with the latest VS Code 2025 version.