How to Open Command Palette in VS Code

The Command Palette is the central hub for executing commands in Visual Studio Code, allowing you to access settings, run tasks, and manage extensions entirely from your keyboard. This article provides the default keyboard shortcuts to open the Command Palette on Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring you can quickly navigate and control your development environment.

The Default Keyboard Shortcuts

To open the Command Palette instantly, use the following keyboard shortcut based on your operating system:

• Windows / Linux: Ctrl + Shift + P
• macOS: Cmd + Shift + P

Alternatively, you can press F1 on any operating system to achieve the exact same result.

Alternative Method via the Menu

If you prefer using your mouse, you can access the Command Palette through the VS Code user interface:

1. Click on View in the top menu bar.
2. Select Command Palette… from the dropdown menu.

How to Use the Command Palette

Once the Command Palette is open, a search bar will appear at the top of the editor with a > character.

• Type to Search: Simply begin typing the name of the command you want to run (e.g., “Preferences: Open Settings” or “Git: Clone”).
• Execute: Use the arrow keys to highlight the desired command and press Enter to run it.
• Discard: Press Escape to close the Command Palette without executing a command.