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VS Code allows you to customize keyboard shortcuts to match your workflow. All keybindings are stored in JSON format and can be customized to your preferences.

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Viewing Current Keybindings

There are several ways to view and manage your keyboard shortcuts:
1

Open Keyboard Shortcuts Editor

Use Ctrl+K Ctrl+S (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+K Cmd+S (macOS) to open the Keyboard Shortcuts editor.This provides a searchable UI for viewing and editing keybindings.
2

Search for Commands

Type in the search box to filter by:
  • Command name (e.g., “copy”)
  • Keybinding (e.g., “ctrl+c”)
  • Source (e.g., “@source:user” or “@source:default”)
3

Edit Keybindings

Click on a keybinding to edit it, or click the pencil icon to change the key combination.

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Keybindings JSON Format

For advanced customization, you can edit the keybindings.json file directly:
  1. Open the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P or Cmd+Shift+P)
  2. Type “Preferences: Open Keyboard Shortcuts (JSON)“

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File Location

  • Windows: %APPDATA%\Code\User\keybindings.json
  • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Code/User/keybindings.json
  • Linux: ~/.config/Code/User/keybindings.json

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Keybinding Structure

Each keybinding entry has the following structure:
keybindings.json
[
  {
    "key": "ctrl+shift+n",
    "command": "workbench.action.files.newUntitledFile"
  },
  {
    "key": "ctrl+k ctrl+s",
    "command": "workbench.action.openGlobalKeybindings"
  }
]

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With Conditions (When Clauses)

You can make keybindings context-sensitive using when clauses:
keybindings.json
[
  {
    "key": "ctrl+enter",
    "command": "editor.action.insertLineAfter",
    "when": "editorTextFocus && !editorReadonly"
  },
  {
    "key": "escape",
    "command": "workbench.action.closeQuickOpen",
    "when": "inQuickOpen"
  }
]

​
With Arguments

Some commands accept arguments:
keybindings.json
[
  {
    "key": "ctrl+shift+alt+t",
    "command": "workbench.action.terminal.sendSequence",
    "args": { "text": "npm test\u000D" }
  },
  {
    "key": "ctrl+/",
    "command": "editor.action.commentLine",
    "when": "editorTextFocus && !editorReadonly"
  }
]

​
Removing Default Keybindings

To remove a default keybinding, use the minus sign before the command:
keybindings.json
[
  {
    "key": "ctrl+shift+k",
    "command": "-editor.action.deleteLines",
    "when": "editorTextFocus"
  }
]
Removing a keybinding doesn’t delete it permanently from VS Code—it just prevents it from triggering. You can always restore default keybindings from the Keyboard Shortcuts editor.

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Common Keybinding Examples

Here are practical examples of custom keybindings:

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Editor Commands

keybindings.json
[
  {
    "key": "ctrl+d",
    "command": "editor.action.deleteLines",
    "when": "editorTextFocus && !editorReadonly"
  },
  {
    "key": "ctrl+shift+d",
    "command": "editor.action.copyLinesDownAction",
    "when": "editorTextFocus && !editorReadonly"
  },
  {
    "key": "alt+up",
    "command": "editor.action.moveLinesUpAction",
    "when": "editorTextFocus && !editorReadonly"
  },
  {
    "key": "alt+down",
    "command": "editor.action.moveLinesDownAction",
    "when": "editorTextFocus && !editorReadonly"
  }
]

​
File Navigation

keybindings.json
[
  {
    "key": "ctrl+p",
    "command": "workbench.action.quickOpen"
  },
  {
    "key": "ctrl+shift+o",
    "command": "workbench.action.gotoSymbol"
  },
  {
    "key": "ctrl+t",
    "command": "workbench.action.showAllSymbols"
  }
]

​
Terminal Commands

keybindings.json
[
  {
    "key": "ctrl+`",
    "command": "workbench.action.terminal.toggleTerminal"
  },
  {
    "key": "ctrl+shift+`",
    "command": "workbench.action.terminal.new"
  },
  {
    "key": "ctrl+shift+c",
    "command": "workbench.action.terminal.openNativeConsole",
    "when": "!terminalFocus"
  }
]

​
Search and Replace

keybindings.json
[
  {
    "key": "ctrl+f",
    "command": "actions.find",
    "when": "editorFocus || editorIsOpen"
  },
  {
    "key": "ctrl+h",
    "command": "editor.action.startFindReplaceAction",
    "when": "editorFocus || editorIsOpen"
  },
  {
    "key": "ctrl+shift+f",
    "command": "workbench.action.findInFiles"
  }
]

​
Chord Keybindings

VS Code supports multi-key sequences (chords):
keybindings.json
[
  {
    "key": "ctrl+k ctrl+c",
    "command": "editor.action.addCommentLine",
    "when": "editorTextFocus && !editorReadonly"
  },
  {
    "key": "ctrl+k ctrl+u",
    "command": "editor.action.removeCommentLine",
    "when": "editorTextFocus && !editorReadonly"
  },
  {
    "key": "ctrl+k ctrl+s",
    "command": "workbench.action.openGlobalKeybindings"
  }
]
Chords are executed by pressing the first key combination, releasing, then pressing the second combination within a short timeout.

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When Clause Contexts

Common context keys for when clauses:
  • editorTextFocus - Editor has focus
  • editorReadonly - Editor is read-only
  • editorHasSelection - Text is selected
  • inQuickOpen - Quick Open is visible
  • terminalFocus - Terminal has focus
  • sideBarVisible - Side bar is visible
  • explorerViewletVisible - Explorer is visible

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Combining Conditions

keybindings.json
[
  {
    "key": "ctrl+s",
    "command": "workbench.action.files.save",
    "when": "editorTextFocus && !editorReadonly"
  },
  {
    "key": "escape",
    "command": "workbench.action.terminal.focus",
    "when": "terminalFocus && terminalHasBeenCreated || terminalFocus && terminalProcessSupported"
  }
]

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Platform-Specific Keybindings

You can define different keybindings for different platforms in your extensions or using conditional logic. The key format differs:
  • Windows/Linux: ctrl, shift, alt
  • macOS: cmd, shift, alt (or option), ctrl
[
  {
    "key": "ctrl+shift+p",
    "command": "workbench.action.showCommands"
  }
]

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Searching Keybindings

You can search keybindings using special filters in the Keyboard Shortcuts editor:
  • @command:commandId - Find keybindings for a specific command
  • @source:user - Show only user-defined keybindings
  • @source:default - Show only default keybindings
  • @source:extension - Show extension keybindings

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Troubleshooting

If your custom keybinding isn’t working, check:
  1. Another keybinding might be overriding it (check for conflicts in the UI)
  2. The when clause might not be satisfied
  3. The command ID might be incorrect
  4. There might be a syntax error in your keybindings.json

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Viewing Keybinding Conflicts

In the Keyboard Shortcuts editor, VS Code will show a warning icon next to conflicting keybindings. Click on it to see what other commands use the same shortcut.

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Advanced: JSON Schema

The keybindings.json file is validated against a JSON schema that includes:
  • key: Key or key sequence (required)
  • command: Command identifier (required)
  • when: Condition for when the keybinding is active (optional)
  • args: Arguments to pass to the command (optional)

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Next Steps

Settings

Configure editor behavior

Snippets

Create code snippets

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