Top 6 Underrated VS Code Extensions Every Developer Should Know in 2024

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) has taken the developer community by storm, becoming one of the most popular code editors across the globe. Its simplicity, speed, and flexibility make it a favorite among professionals and beginners alike. But what truly sets VS Code apart is its extensibility—thousands of extensions allow you to tailor the editor to your unique workflow and needs.

While many developers are familiar with popular extensions like Prettier, ESLint, and Live Server, there’s a treasure trove of lesser-known gems waiting to be discovered. These underrated extensions can supercharge your productivity, streamline your workflow, and enhance your coding experience in ways you might not have imagined.

In this post, we’ll uncover some of these hidden gems, explaining how they can solve everyday coding challenges and elevate your development game. Whether you're a frontend enthusiast, backend expert, or a full-stack pro, there’s something here for everyone. Let’s dive in!

Here’s a list of 6 underrated VS Code extensions that can significantly enhance your productivity:

1.Auto Rename Tag: Automatically renames the paired HTML/JSX tags as you edit one of them.Ideal for web developers who frequently deal with nested HTML structures.

Developed By: Jun Han

2.Error Lens:Highlights errors and warnings inline in your code for better visibility.Reduces context switching by showing detailed error messages directly in the editor.

Developed By : Alexander

3.Polacode:Generates beautiful screenshots of your code snippets directly within VS Code.Perfect for sharing code snippets on blogs or social media.

Developed By:Pomb

4.Better Comments:Allows you to write human-friendly comments by highlighting different types (e.g., TODOs, notes, or warnings).Makes collaboration easier by clearly categorizing comments in the codebase.

Developed By:Aaron Bond

5. REST Client:Enables you to send HTTP requests and view responses directly in VS Code.A lightweight alternative to Postman for testing APIs.

Developed By: Huachao Mao

6.Bookmarks:Lets you bookmark lines of code and quickly navigate between them.Useful for working on large files or projects with complex logic.

Developed By:Alessandro Fragnani

VS Code is more than just a code editor—it's a powerful development platform that can be tailored to suit your unique needs. By exploring and leveraging these underrated extensions, you can unlock new levels of productivity, simplify complex workflows, and make your coding experience more enjoyable.

Whether you're streamlining your debugging process, improving your code readability, or enhancing your collaboration, these tools are here to support you every step of the way. Remember, the key to mastering any tool is experimentation, so don’t hesitate to try out these extensions and see what works best for you.

Do you have a favorite extension that didn’t make the list? Share it in the comments below! And if you found this post helpful, don’t forget to share it with your fellow developers—because great tools are even better when they’re shared. Happy coding! 🚀