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VS Code

How do you extract the most out of VS Code?

Context​

AI Coding​

Extensions​

VS Code Extension Generator

Best Practices​

Create a .vscode/settings.json to maintain consistent workspace settings

Use an .editorconfig file for basic editor settings:

root = true

[*]
indent_style = space
indent_size = 2
end_of_line = lf
charset = utf-8
trim_trailing_whitespace = true
insert_final_newline = true

[*.md]
trim_trailing_whitespace = false

Extensions​

VS Code Extensions Workbook

Extract list of Extension using VS Code UI:

  1. Press Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+P (Mac)
  2. Type "Show Extensions" and press Enter
  3. Click on the "..." (ellipsis) menu in the Extensions panel
  4. Select "Show Running Extensions"
code --list-extensions

Smart Contract Dev​

See blockchain development

Questions​

As AI coding tools like Claude Code increasingly operate outside the editor entirely, when does investing in VS Code extensions stop compounding and start competing with the terminal-first workflow?

  • The Hardhat Solidity extension and NX Console both assume VS Code as the primary surface — how do you maintain smart contract development ergonomics when the AI agent is driving most of the edits?
  • The .editorconfig file enforces basic consistency but VS Code workspace settings can override it — what is the minimal set of settings that must be in .vscode/settings.json to prevent drift across a multi-person team?
  • Pretty TS Errors makes TypeScript feedback readable in the editor — does this reduce the incentive to fix upstream type problems versus just reading better error messages at the point of use?