> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://js.maxbraglia.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Setting up VS Code

> Configure VS Code with the essential extensions for JavaScript development

## Why VS Code?

VS Code is the most popular editor for JavaScript development. It has built-in JavaScript support, a huge extension ecosystem, and an integrated terminal where you'll run your code.

If you're already using VS Code for Python, you just need a few extra extensions.

## Essential extensions

Install these two extensions from the VS Code Extensions panel (`Ctrl+Shift+X` / `Cmd+Shift+X`):

<Steps>
  <Step title="ESLint">
    Catches JavaScript errors and enforces code style as you type. It underlines problems in red and yellow so you can fix them before running your code.

    Search for: **ESLint** by Microsoft
  </Step>

  <Step title="Prettier">
    Automatically formats your code on save — consistent indentation, quotes, semicolons, line breaks. No more arguing about code style.

    Search for: **Prettier - Code formatter** by Prettier
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  You probably already have the **Python** extension installed. Keep it — it won't conflict with JavaScript extensions. VS Code handles multiple languages fine.
</Tip>

## Keyboard shortcuts worth knowing

You don't need to memorize these now. Come back to this list when you're writing more code.

| Shortcut (Mac / Windows)         | What it does                           |
| -------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| `Cmd+P` / `Ctrl+P`               | Quick open file by name                |
| `Cmd+Shift+P` / `Ctrl+Shift+P`   | Command Palette                        |
| `Cmd+D` / `Ctrl+D`               | Select next occurrence of current word |
| `Option+Up/Down` / `Alt+Up/Down` | Move line up or down                   |
| `Cmd+/` / `Ctrl+/`               | Toggle line comment                    |
| `` Ctrl+` ``                     | Toggle integrated terminal             |
| `Cmd+B` / `Ctrl+B`               | Toggle sidebar                         |

<Tip>
  The integrated terminal (`` Ctrl+` ``) is where you'll run `node` commands and start React development servers. Get comfortable switching between your code and the terminal.
</Tip>

## What's next?

Your editor is ready. Let's create your first JavaScript file and run it.

<Card title="Your first JavaScript file" icon="file-code" href="/getting-started/first-javascript-file">
  Create and run your first JavaScript program
</Card>