As a web developer, having the right tools can make or break your workflow. Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is my editor of choice, and over the years, I’ve discovered a handful of extensions that don’t just make me more productive—they help keep my mind calm and focused.
Here’s my personal list of the top 5 VS Code extensions I use every single day:
🚀 1. Live Server – Auto-Refresh Your Browser as You Code
One of the best tools for frontend development. Live Server launches a local development server with live reload – your browser updates the moment you save a file. No manual refreshing.
Why I love it: It’s a miracle extension. Lightweight, fast, and trusted by over 6.3 million developers.
💡 Pro Tip: Disable auto-tab opening if you're frequently switching files—it keeps things organized.
⚡ 2. Code Runner – Run Any Language Instantly
Need to test a quick Python or JavaScript snippet? This extension lets you run dozens of languages directly inside VS Code.
Why I love it: I can run scripts in C, C++, Java, Python, and more in one click—so I can spend more time playing chess instead of switching terminals.
💡 Pro Tip: Bind it to a hotkey (Ctrl + Alt + N) for ultimate speed.
🎨 3. Prettier – Beautiful Code, Automatically
Prettier formats your code consistently with a click or on save. It supports most web languages like JS, JSX, HTML, CSS, and more.
Why I love it: Code and life must be prettified. Without this, I’d be in chaos. I can't imagine coding without it.
💡 Pro Tip: Enable "editor.formatOnSave": true in VS Code settings to format automatically.
🌈 4. Tailwind CSS IntelliSense – Smart Utility Completion
🔗 Tailwind IntelliSense by Tailwind Labs
This official extension supercharges Tailwind CSS with autocomplete, hover previews, and linting.
Why I love it: Even though I don’t use it on every project, it’s a lifesaver when I do work with Tailwind.
💡 Pro Tip: Combine with Headwind for automatic class sorting.
🤖 5. GitHub Copilot – AI That Writes Code With You
An AI-powered assistant that completes code as you type. It’s trained on billions of lines of code and adapts to your coding style.
Why I love it: Sometimes it breaks my code, but most of the time it writes it faster than me. It’s like having J.A.R.V.I.S. in my editor.
💡 Pro Tip: Use it to scaffold new projects or when exploring unfamiliar APIs.
🔌 REST Client – Test APIs without leaving VS Code
If you're tired of switching between Postman and VS Code, this extension is a game changer. REST Client lets you send HTTP requests and view responses directly within your editor — no external tools needed.
Just create a .http or .rest file, write your request, and hit Send Request. It supports everything from GET, POST, PUT, DELETE to custom headers, variables, and even chained requests.
Why I use it:
Clean, distraction-free API testing.
Perfect for backend devs or anyone working with RESTful APIs.
Saves time by keeping everything inside VS Code.
Pro tip: Use environment variables for dev, staging, and prod — no more copy-paste errors.
🧘 Final Thoughts
These aren’t just extensions—they’re tools that make me a happier, calmer, and more productive developer. If you spend a lot of time in VS Code, these will save you hours, reduce stress, and make coding feel fun again.
"Clean editor. Calm mind. Better code."