This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by MD Mostafa Niloy
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, VS Code’s extensibility is one of its strongest features. But with thousands of extensions available, which ones actually make a difference? Here’s my hand-picked list of 10 VS Code extensions every developer should consider in 2025.
1. Tabnine (AI Code Autocompletion)
Why use it: Supercharges productivity with AI-based code suggestions trained on open-source code.
Best for: JavaScript, Python, TypeScript, Go, etc.
Tabnine on Marketplace
2. ESLint
Why use it: Instantly detect and fix linting issues in JS/TS projects. Essential for maintaining code quality.
Tip: Pair with Prettier for code formatting.
ESLint on Marketplace
3. Prettier (Code Formatter)
Why use it: Enforces consistent code style with one click.
Supports: JS, TS, HTML, CSS, JSON, Markdown, and more.
Prettier on Marketplace
4. GitLens
Why use it: View git blame, commit history, and code authorship inline. Supercharges version control workflows.
GitLens on Marketplace
5. Live Server
Why use it: Launch a local development server with live reload for static and dynamic pages.
Perfect for: Frontend developers, HTML/CSS prototyping.
Live Server on Marketplace
6. Path Intellisense
Why use it: Autocompletes file paths and prevents import mistakes.
Why it matters: Saves time and reduces typos in large projects.
Path Intellisense on Marketplace
7. npm Intellisense
Why use it: Auto-suggests npm modules in import statements.
Bonus: Works well with TypeScript projects.
npm Intellisense on Marketplace
8. Settings Sync
Why use it: Sync your VS Code settings, themes, and extensions across multiple devices via GitHub.
Ideal for: Devs who work on different machines.
Settings Sync on Marketplace
9. REST Client
Why use it: Send HTTP requests directly from VS Code without needing Postman.
Perfect for: Backend/API developers.
REST Client on Marketplace
10. Thunder Client
Why use it: Lightweight Postman alternative for testing REST APIs within VS Code.
Bonus: Clean UI, supports environment variables and collections.
Thunder Client on Marketplace
Bonus: Honorable Mentions
Better Comments – Annotate code with styled comments.
TODO Highlight – Highlights TODOs and FIXMEs.
Bracket Pair Colorizer 2 – Visualizes matching brackets in nested code.
CodeSnap – Take beautiful screenshots of your code.
Wrapping Up
VS Code is already a powerhouse, but with the right extensions, it becomes a truly next-level development tool. These are just a few that can drastically improve your productivity and coding experience in 2025.
What are your favorite VS Code extensions? Did I miss any must-haves? Let me know in the comments! 
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by MD Mostafa Niloy