How to Search Keywords in VS Code

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a powerful code editor with robust search functionality. Whether you're debugging or refactoring, knowing how to search keywords efficiently can save you time. Here's how to do it.

Using the Basic Search Feature

To search for a keyword in VS Code:

1. Press Ctrl+F (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+F (Mac) to open the search bar.
2. Type your keyword in the search field.
3. Press Enter to find the first occurrence.
4. Use the arrows to navigate through matches.

Advanced Search with Regex

VS Code supports regular expressions for complex searches:

1. Open the search bar with Ctrl+F or Cmd+F.
2. Click the .* icon to enable regex mode.
3. Enter your regex pattern and search.

Search Across Files

To find keywords in multiple files:

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+F (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+F (Mac).
2. Enter your keyword and specify file types if needed.
3. Press Enter to view results in the sidebar.

Using Extensions for Enhanced Search

Extensions like Ripgrep or Search Everywhere can improve search capabilities. Install them via the Extensions Marketplace.

Conclusion

Mastering keyword search in VS Code boosts productivity. Use basic search, regex, or extensions to streamline your workflow.