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Keyboard Shortcuts for the VS Code Terminal: A Practical Guide

Learn essential keyboard shortcuts for the Visual Studio Code integrated terminal. Toggle, open new terminals, switch focus, and customize bindings to speed up your workflow across Windows and macOS.

Shortcuts Lib
Shortcuts Lib Team
·5 min read
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VS Code Terminal Shortcuts - Shortcuts Lib
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Quick AnswerDefinition

The most essential keyboard shortcut to master in the VS Code terminal is toggling the integrated terminal with Ctrl+` on Windows/Linux and Cmd+` on macOS. You can also open a new terminal with Ctrl+Shift+` (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+` (macOS). For full customization, adjust keybindings in File > Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts.

Introduction to Terminal Shortcuts in VS Code

Terminal shortcuts in VS Code streamline your workflow by letting you open, focus, and run commands without leaving your keyboard. According to Shortcuts Lib, consistent use of a tight set of terminal bindings can shave seconds off repetitive tasks and reduce context switching. The Shortcuts Lib team found that power users rely on a small, repeatable pattern of actions: toggle, open, focus, and run. In this guide, we cover cross-platform basics and practical customization tips to help you develop muscle memory for the VS Code terminal across Windows and macOS.

JSON
// Quick mapping example: toggle terminal { "key": "ctrl+`", "command": "workbench.action.terminal.toggleTerminal" }

Why this matters: keyboard-driven workflows minimize mouse use, speed up development, and keep your hands on the keyboard. We'll start with the core toggles, then show how to extend these bindings across shells and tasks.

Steps

Estimated time: 15-30 minutes

  1. 1

    Open VS Code and Prepare

    Launch VS Code and ensure your workspace has an integrated terminal. Familiarize yourself with the terminal pane and the UI elements used to switch between tabs.

    Tip: Create a habit of toggling first before typing commands.
  2. 2

    Check Core Shortcuts

    Verify the default bindings for toggle and new terminal. Use the command palette (Ctrl+Shift+P / Cmd+Shift+P) to search for 'Toggle Integrated Terminal' and confirm the assigned keys.

    Tip: If the bindings clash, note them for later customization.
  3. 3

    Open a New Terminal

    Use the mapped shortcut to open a new terminal tab, allowing you to run separate commands in parallel without losing context.

    Tip: Keep a clean workspace by using separate terminals for build, test, and dev servers.
  4. 4

    Navigate Terminals

    Learn to cycle focus between multiple terminals with the next/previous pane commands so you can monitor outputs side-by-side.

    Tip: Consider naming terminals by task using comments inside your shell profile.
  5. 5

    Customize Keybindings

    Edit keybindings.json to align with your workflow. Start with the core actions and progressively add platform-specific tweaks.

    Tip: Back up your keybindings.json to share with teammates.
  6. 6

    Test and Refine

    Test every shortcut in real tasks, adjust conflicts, and document your configuration for future work.

    Tip: Use a small reference card until muscle memory forms.
Pro Tip: Start with a small core set (toggle, new, focus next) before expanding to runSelectedText or clear.
Warning: Avoid binding keys that collide with OS-level shortcuts or editor commands.
Note: Document changes and keep a consistent naming scheme for your terminals to improve memory recall.
Pro Tip: Use the Command Palette to discover terminal-related actions you can bind later.

Prerequisites

Required

Optional

  • Familiarity with JSON for keybindings.json
    Optional

Keyboard Shortcuts

ActionShortcut
Toggle Integrated TerminalOpen/Close the terminal panelCtrl+`
Open New Integrated TerminalCreate a new terminal tabCtrl+⇧+`
Focus Next TerminalNavigate between terminalsCtrl+PageDown
Focus Previous TerminalNavigate between terminalsCtrl+PageUp

Questions & Answers

What is the default shortcut to toggle the VS Code terminal on Windows?

The default is Ctrl+`. It opens or closes the integrated terminal. If a conflict exists, customize via File > Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts.

By default, press Ctrl+` to toggle the terminal. If needed, customize through the Keyboard Shortcuts editor.

Can I customize terminal shortcuts safely?

Yes. You can map core terminal actions to your preferred keys using keybindings.json. Start with a small set and test for conflicts before expanding.

Absolutely. Start with a few bindings, then test to avoid clashes.

How do I access and edit keybindings.json?

Open the Command Palette with Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+P (macOS), then search for 'Open Keyboard Shortcuts (JSON)'. Edit and save to apply changes.

Open the keyboard shortcuts JSON file from the command palette to customize bindings.

What if OS shortcuts conflict with VS Code?

Resolve by using the when clause in keybindings.json to scope a shortcut to the terminal or by choosing alternative keys that don’t collide.

If a conflict happens, scope or change the keys in your bindings.

How can I switch between multiple terminals quickly?

Use the focusNextPane and focusPreviousPane commands via keyboard shortcuts to cycle through open terminals.

Cycle across terminals using the focus commands.

Main Points

  • Master the toggle and new-terminal shortcuts across OSs
  • Use keybindings.json to standardize a cross-platform workflow
  • Navigate between terminals with focus commands to stay in flow
  • Bind common actions like runSelectedText and clear for speed
  • Always test bindings and document changes for teams

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