If you’re building websites or web apps, you probably use Visual Studio Code (VS Code) — the most popular code editor out there. But the real power of VS Code comes from its extensions. With the right ones, you can write code faster, avoid errors, and even preview websites in real-time.
In this blog, we’ll cover the top 5 must-have VS Code extensions for modern web developers in 2025.
1️⃣ Prettier – Code Formatter
Why it’s useful:
Automatically formats your code for consistency and readability — supports JavaScript, HTML, CSS, JSON, and more.
Key Features:
- Auto-format on save
- Customizable rules (tab width, semicolons, etc.)
- Works well with ESLint
Command:
Search for Prettier - Code formatter in Extensions
jsonCopyEdit// settings.json
"editor.formatOnSave": true,
"prettier.singleQuote": true
2️⃣ Live Server
Why it’s useful:
Launch a local development server with live reloading for static HTML/CSS/JS pages.
Key Features:
- Instant browser reload on file save
- Great for prototyping and frontend work
- Custom port support
How to Use:
Right-click any index.html → Click “Open with Live Server”
3️⃣ ESLint
Why it’s useful:
Helps you follow coding standards and catch bugs in JavaScript/TypeScript code.
Key Features:
- Integrates with Prettier
- Shows errors/warnings in real time
- Supports custom linting rules
Tip:
Add an .eslintrc.json config file to define rules for your project.
4️⃣ GitLens – Git Supercharged
Why it’s useful:
Boosts Git integration in VS Code by showing who changed what and when right in your editor.
Key Features:
- Line blame annotations
- Inline commit messages
- Powerful history browsing
🔍 Ideal for teams or solo developers managing larger projects.
5️⃣ Tailwind CSS IntelliSense
Why it’s useful:
If you use Tailwind CSS, this extension gives autocomplete, hover previews, and syntax highlighting for Tailwind utility classes.
Key Features:
- Smart suggestions while typing
- Class validation
- Dark mode preview support
🎁 Bonus Picks
- Path Intellisense – Auto-completes filenames in import statements
- Bracket Pair Colorizer 2 – Colors matching brackets for better readability
- Icons by VSCode – Makes your file explorer more visual with helpful icons
Conclusion:
With the right VS Code extensions, you can turn your editor into a powerful development environment that boosts productivity and code quality. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, these tools help you focus more on building — and less on fixing.
🔧 Pro Tip: Don’t install too many extensions at once. Start with a few and add more as you need them.