VS Code Shortcuts Trainer
Build the habit of using keyboard shortcuts to code faster and more efficiently. This interactive trainer helps you master VS Code shortcuts through daily practice, progress tracking, and guided learning sessions that turn shortcuts into automatic reflexes.
✨ Why Use Keyboard Shortcuts?
Save Time, Reduce Fatigue: Replace mouse clicks with lightning-fast keyboard combinations. Navigate files, refactor code, and manage your workflow without breaking your focus.
Build Better Habits: Regular practice creates muscle memory. What starts as conscious effort becomes automatic, letting you code in a smooth, uninterrupted flow.
Increase Productivity: Professional developers rely on shortcuts for everything from quick navigation to complex refactoring. Join them and experience the difference.
🚀 Quick Start
Installation
From VS Code Marketplace (Recommended)
- Open VS Code
- Go to Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X)
- Search for "VS Code Shortcuts Trainer"
- Click Install
From VSIX (Manual Install)
Download the latest .vsix file from Releases and install:
code --install-extension vscode-shortcuts-trainer-0.1.0.vsix
Start Your Practice Habit
Open the Trainer:
- Press
Ctrl+Shift+P (or Cmd+Shift+P on Mac)
- Type "Shortcuts: Open VS Code Shortcuts Trainer"
- Or click the keyboard icon (⌨️) in the status bar
Choose Your Path:
- Practice Tab: Jump into timed quizzes to build speed
- Shortcuts Tab: Browse and learn shortcuts by category
- Statistics Tab: Track your progress and streaks
- Learn Tab: Set goals and get practice suggestions
Make It Daily: Set small, achievable goals. Even 10 minutes a day compounds into mastery.
📸 Screenshots
Practice Mode - Interactive Shortcut Training
Type shortcuts in the input box to practice. Get instant feedback on accuracy and timing.
Shortcuts Browser - Comprehensive Command Library
Browse 90+ shortcuts organized by category. Mark favorites and track mastery.
Statistics Dashboard - Track Your Progress
View practice history, accuracy trends, and goal completion.
Learning Hub - Personalized Practice Goals
Set daily and weekly goals. Get personalized recommendations based on your practice history.
🎯 Key Features
📚 Practice Mode
- Timed Quizzes: Race against the clock to build speed and accuracy
- Instant Feedback: See your timing and get immediate results
- Progressive Difficulty: Start with basics, advance to complex combinations
- Session Tracking: Monitor your practice streaks and improvement
⭐ Favorites & Mastery
- Mark Favorites: Pin shortcuts you use most for quick access
- Track Mastery: Mark shortcuts as learned and watch your progress grow
- Personal Collections: Build your own practice sets from favorite shortcuts
📊 Progress Tracking
- Daily Streaks: Build momentum with consecutive practice days
- Usage Statistics: See which shortcuts you practice most
- Goal Setting: Set daily and weekly targets to stay motivated
- Progress Visualization: Charts showing your learning journey
🔍 Command Explorer
- Search Everything: Find any VS Code command instantly
- Try Before You Learn: Execute commands to see what they do
- Organized Categories: Browse shortcuts by function (navigation, editing, etc.)
- Platform Aware: Shows Mac, Windows, or Linux shortcuts automatically
💡 How It Works
Build Muscle Memory
Practice transforms conscious effort into automatic reflexes. Each timed quiz reinforces the connection between keys and actions until shortcuts become second nature.
Guided Learning Path
Start with essential shortcuts for file navigation and basic editing. Gradually add more advanced combinations as you build confidence and speed.
Daily practice creates lasting change. Set small goals, track your streaks, and watch as keyboard shortcuts become your default way of working.
Real-World Application
Every shortcut you master saves time and reduces cognitive load. Navigate faster, edit more efficiently, and maintain your coding flow.
📖 Learning Guide
Shortcuts Tab
Browse shortcuts organized by category:
- File Operations: Open, save, close files instantly
- Navigation: Jump between files, functions, and symbols
- Editing: Cut, copy, paste, and refactor with precision
- Search & Replace: Find and modify code across files
- Debugging: Set breakpoints and step through code
- Git Integration: Stage, commit, and manage version control
Practice Tab
Interactive quiz mode with input box detection:
- How it works: Focus on the input box and type the shortcut keys
- Random shortcut selection keeps sessions fresh
- High-precision timing measures your speed
- Immediate feedback shows correct keys and your performance
- Progress tracking builds motivation
⚠️ Important: The practice mode uses an input box for keyboard detection due to VS Code's security model. You'll need to click/focus on the input box before typing each shortcut. This is a platform limitation - extensions cannot track keyboard input globally for security reasons
Statistics Tab
Your learning dashboard:
- Practice session history and timing trends
- Most and least practiced shortcuts
- Current streaks and goal progress
- Data export for backup and analysis
Learn Tab
Personalized practice planning:
- Set achievable daily and weekly goals
- Review practice suggestions based on your history
- Track completion of shortcut categories
- Celebrate milestones and maintain momentum
🔧 Technical Details
Built for VS Code
- Web Extension: Runs in VS Code's web environment for cross-platform compatibility
- TypeScript: Fully typed codebase with comprehensive error handling
- Optimized Performance: Fast startup and responsive interface
- Accessibility Compliant: Full keyboard navigation and screen reader support
Data & Privacy
- Local Storage: All data stays on your machine
- Workspace Scope: Progress tracks within your current project
- Export Support: Backup your learning data as JSON
- No External Calls: Completely offline functionality
Practice Mode Implementation
Due to VS Code's security architecture, this extension uses an input box approach for practice mode:
- What This Means: You type shortcuts into a focused input box rather than having them detected passively
- Why: VS Code extensions cannot intercept global keyboard events for security reasons
- User Impact: You need to manually focus the input box before each practice attempt
- Benefit: Provides a secure, controlled environment for deliberate practice
System-Level Shortcuts: Some OS-level shortcuts (like Cmd+Q on Mac or Alt+F4 on Windows) cannot be fully prevented from triggering their system actions, even during practice. This is a platform limitation we cannot override.
⚠️ Known Limitations
Practice Mode
- Manual Focus Required: The input box must be focused before typing each shortcut
- No Passive Tracking: The extension cannot detect shortcuts you use naturally while coding
- System Shortcuts: OS-level shortcuts (Cmd+Q, Alt+F4, etc.) may trigger system actions even during practice
- Input Box Visible: The practice area requires an on-screen input element for keyboard detection
Why These Limitations Exist
VS Code's security model prevents extensions from:
- Intercepting global keyboard input
- Detecting keystrokes outside of focused UI elements
- Overriding system-level keyboard shortcuts
These restrictions protect users from malicious extensions and ensure VS Code remains secure. Our implementation works within these boundaries to provide the best possible practice experience.
What We're Exploring
- Improved auto-focus mechanisms to reduce manual clicks
- Visual cues to help users know when the input box is ready
- Alternative practice modes that don't require keyboard detection
🛠️ Current Status & Roadmap
✅ What's Working Now (v0.1.0)
- Interactive practice quizzes with timing
- Comprehensive shortcut library (90+ shortcuts)
- Progress tracking and streak counters
- Favorites and mastery marking
- Daily/weekly goal setting
- Command search and execution
- Data export functionality
- Full accessibility support
🔄 Coming Soon
- Enhanced Progress Tracking: Better visualization of learning curves
- Cross-Workspace Sync: Share progress between projects
- Advanced Practice Modes: Custom quiz creation and challenge modes
- Performance Analytics: Deeper insights into your shortcut usage patterns
🎯 Future Enhancements
- Multi-language Support: Localized interfaces and content
- Additional Export Formats: CSV and PDF reports
- Team Features: Shared progress and collaborative challenges
- Mobile Companion: Practice shortcuts on mobile devices
🤝 Contributing
We welcome contributions! Whether you want to:
- 🐛 Report bugs or suggest features
- 📝 Improve documentation
- ⌨️ Add missing shortcuts
- 💻 Write code
Check out our Contributing Guide to get started.
Quick Links
📄 License
MIT License - see LICENSE file for details.
👥 Acknowledgments
Durgesh Vaigandla - Lead Developer
CSEdge - Technical Support & Hosting
Special thanks to the VS Code team for their excellent extension platform and the developer community for inspiration and feedback.
Transform your coding speed with daily shortcut practice. Start small, build habits, code faster. ⚡
