🚀 CodeShortcuts — Reuse Code in Seconds!

CodeShortcuts is a simple and efficient VS Code extension that helps you save, manage, and reuse your personal code snippets using easy-to-remember shortcut names.

No more copying and pasting the same functions over and over! Define once, reuse forever — directly in your editor. ⚡

✨ Features

• 🔖 Add your own code snippets per language (C++, Python, Java, Javascript etc.)
• ⌨️ Insert them instantly using @@shortcut + shortcut key
• 💾 Stores snippets locally in a JSON file (snippets.json)
• 📁 Keeps separate versions of a snippet per language
• 🧩 Works in any file type supported by VS Code

Requirements

No external dependencies or servers required. Works fully offline.

However, for best experience:

• Ensure your VS Code has language extensions for the file types you use (cpp, python, java, etc.)
• Node.js (only for development and packaging)

Extension Settings

This extension does not currently contribute any settings through contributes.configuration.

All functionality is accessible through:

• The Command Palette
• Keyboard shortcuts

🧠 How It Works (Step-by-Step)

📝 1. Add a New Snippet

1. Open the Command Palette:

   Ctrl + Shift + P
   

2. Select:

   CodeShortcuts: Add New Snippet
   

3. You'll be prompted to enter:

   • A shortcut name (e.g., binarysearch)
   • A language ID extension type (e.g., cpp, py, java, js)

4. A temporary file will open:

   binarysearch_cpp_snippet.cpp (or .py, .java)
   

5. Paste your snippet and click Save Snippet Now from the popup.

✅ Snippet saved per language in your local snippets.json!

⚡ 2. Expand a Snippet

1. In your code file (e.g., .cpp, .py, .java), go to a new line and type:

   @@binarysearch
   

2. Press:

   Ctrl + Shift + .
   

3. The shortcut line will be replaced with your actual code snippet for that language.

🎉 You're done! Snippet inserted instantly.

♻️ 3. Update a Snippet

1. Command Palette →

   CodeShortcuts: Update Snippet
   

2. Choose the shortcut you want to update.

3. A temp file opens with the current snippet.

4. Modify the code and click Save Snippet Now.

✅ Snippet updated immediately!

🗑️ 4. Delete a Snippet

1. Command Palette →

   CodeShortcuts: Delete Snippet
   

2. Select the shortcut and language you want to delete.

3. Confirm deletion when prompted.

✅ Snippet deleted from your collection.

Each top-level key is a shortcut name, and each language variant is nested under it. This way, you can use the same shortcut across languages — it automatically detects based on your current file type.

You can:

• Manually backup this file
• Edit it directly if needed
• Share it across systems

⌨️ Default Keyboard Shortcuts

You can customize these keys in VS Code:
File → Preferences → Keyboard Shortcuts

🧪 Example Usage

Step 1: Save a snippet for C++

• Shortcut name: binarysearch
• Language extension: cpp
• Code to paste:

int binarySearch(int arr[], int l, int r, int x) {
    while (l <= r) {
        int m = l + (r - l) / 2;
        if (arr[m] == x) return m;
        if (arr[m] < x) l = m + 1;
        else r = m - 1;
    }
    return -1;
}

Step 2: Use it

In your C++ file:

@@binarysearch

Then press:

Ctrl + Shift + .

Result:

🔁 Replaced with full snippet code instantly.

💡 Tips & Tricks

• ✅ Use the same shortcut (binarysearch) for different languages (e.g., C++, Python, Java). The extension automatically detects the current language.
• 🔄 Backup and sync your snippets.json file for portability.
• 🔒 All snippets are stored locally, so no internet is required.
• ⚡ Use @@shortcutName on an empty line to trigger insertion.
• 🧪 Temporary snippet editor supports full syntax highlighting.

🚀 How It Works (with Screenshots)

➕ Step 1: Add a New Snippet

Open the Command Palette (ctrl+shift+p) and select:

CodeShortcuts: Add New Snippet

📝 Step 2: Paste Your Code

• Enter shortcut name and language.
• A temp file opens.
• Paste your snippet and press Ctrl + S to save.

⚡ Step 3: Expand a Snippet

• In your code, type:

@@yourshortcut

• Press Ctrl + Shift + .

The shortcut is replaced with the actual snippet for your file’s language.

♻️ Update Snippet

Select an existing shortcut → Edit → Click “Save Snippet Now”

🗑️ Delete Snippet

Choose what to remove — clean and fast

🔒 Offline & Secure

• ✅ Stored locally — nothing is uploaded
• ✅ 100% works offline
• ✅ No dependencies or tracking

📬 Contact

Built with ❤️ by Debesh Maheshwari Made to save you time. Open to ideas GitHub: @debesh00800

🏷️ Tags

snippets, code reuse, shortcuts, developer productivity, template, multi-language, vs code extension