Boost Your Coding Workflow: 7 Must-Have VS Code Extensions for 2021

Visual Studio Code is one of the most popular source code editors today, thanks to its rich extension ecosystem that makes inserting and using third‑party APIs easy. You can even create your own API extensions and publish them to the Visual Studio Marketplace.

In 2021 many new VS Code extensions received high praise from developers. Below are seven extensions that can boost productivity and expand a developer’s workflow.

1. GitHub Copilot

GitHub Copilot is an AI‑powered programming assistant created by GitHub and OpenAI’s Codex. It can generate code automatically based on the context you provide.

Developers using VS Code or JetBrains love this tool because it can produce whole code blocks in most programming languages, and you can even chat with Copilot directly inside the IDE.

To get started, download the GitHub Copilot VS Code extension, link it to your GitHub account, and authorize it (if you’re not yet registered, you may need to join a waitlist).

After installation, you can write a function or simply a comment, and Copilot will suggest the corresponding code. Use Option + ] and Option + [ to cycle suggestions, or press Tab to accept a full snippet.

Copilot can quickly create functions such as palindrome checkers, email validators, password generators, or fetch JSON via URL. It can also answer natural‑language queries like “current price of Bitcoin and Ethereum” and generate the required function on the fly.

2. Thunder Client

API testing is a core part of a developer’s daily work. While Postman is a popular external tool, switching between it and VS Code can be cumbersome.

Thunder Client provides a lightweight, clean, and easy‑to‑use REST API client directly inside VS Code, allowing you to test and validate endpoints without leaving the editor.

It can serve as a Postman alternative for quick, script‑free API checks.

3. Snipped

Sharing code snippets on social media often requires copying code to an external service like carbon.now.sh and exporting a screenshot.

Snipped automates this workflow by capturing a snippet directly from the VS Code editor and copying the image to the clipboard, eliminating the need for manual screenshots.

4. Lorem.space

If you need placeholder content for a web prototype, Lorem.space is an ideal VS Code extension.

It generates random image placeholder URLs via an API with selectable categories such as pizza, burgers, portraits, or furniture.

Press CMD + Shift + P, choose Lorem.space, pick a category, enter the desired width and height, and the extension returns a URL for the placeholder image.

5. AI Doc Writer (for JavaScript & TypeScript)

Writing documentation can feel like a chore for many developers. Mintlify’s upcoming AI Doc Writer VS Code extension aims to automate this process.

Select a function and press Command + ,; the AI generates documentation for that function. The result varies depending on whether you include whitespace inside the function.

Mintlify also offers a Search Engine extension that lets you write natural‑language queries to find code snippets or ask about a specific piece of code. This extension is currently in limited beta.

6. Blockman

Blockman highlights code scopes, making it easier to read nested blocks and explain control flow to teammates.

The extension lets you customize block colors, depth, and focus, and quickly highlight nested blocks within a selected region.

7. Live Frame

Live Frame lets you run and preview web applications directly inside VS Code, reducing the need to switch between the editor and a browser.

Beyond productivity gains, it can be used to record or showcase interactive tutorial demos.