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June 24, 2025 • 3 min read

5 VS Code Extensions I Can't Code Without

Hey everyone! I'm Priyansh, and this is my very first blog.

As someone who codes regularly, I've realized how much of a difference the right tools make, and Visual Studio Code is one of those tools I can't live without. But you know what really makes VS Code powerful? Extensions.

In this post, I'll share the 5 must-have VS Code extensions that have genuinely improved my productivity and coding experience.

1. Prettier - Code Formatter

Let's be honest, formatting your code manually is a bit boring and time-consuming. That's where Prettier saves the day.

Why I love it:

  • No more worrying about spaces, tabs, or messy indentation
  • Makes code easier to read and collaborate on

    • Just install it and let it handle the formatting every time you save your file.

    2. ESLint – Catch Errors Early

    ESLint is like a coding assistant that constantly reviews your JavaScript code for potential errors and bad practices.

    Why it's useful:

  • Highlights syntax errors instantly
  • Suggests best practices and cleaner code
  • Integrates well with Prettier

    • 3. GitLens – Supercharged Git in VS Code

    If you use Git (and you should), GitLens is a game-changer. It gives you deep Git insights right inside VS Code.

    What it helps with:

  • Shows who made each change (blame annotations)
  • Makes it easy to view commit history
  • Lets you compare branches, commits, and files visually

    • 4. ES7+ React/Redux/React-Native Snippets

    If you write React, this extension is a lifesaver. Just type rafc or rafce and boom — a full functional component is generated instantly.

    Why it rocks:

  • Type rafc → full arrow function component
  • Type rafce → component with export at bottom
  • Dozens of snippets for hooks, redux, and more

    • No more typing the same boilerplate over and over. It's one of those extensions you install once and can never go back.

    5. Thunder Client – Lightweight Postman Alternative

    If you work with APIs, Thunder Client is a simple and fast REST client built right into VS Code.

    Why I use it:

  • Clean UI and easy to test APIs
  • Perfect for full-stack and backend devs
  • Saves switching between apps

    • Final Thoughts

    These 5 extensions have made my coding life much smoother, faster, and way more enjoyable. Give these a try - I guarantee they'll boost your workflow.

    Thanks for reading, and see you in the next post.