Uninstall These 5 Redundant VS Code Extensions for Better Performance
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Chapter 1: Introduction to VS Code Extensions
Have you checked how many extensions you currently have installed in VS Code? I found myself with an astonishing 56. If you've noticed that your editor is becoming sluggish or consuming more resources over time, this accumulation could be the culprit. Each extension adds to the memory and CPU demands of the application. Since coding is already a complex task, we should aim to keep the number of extensions to a minimum, which also helps prevent conflicts among them or with the editor's built-in features.
Many extensions available in the Marketplace offer functionalities that VS Code already supports natively. These extensions were often created before the features were integrated into the platform, leading them to become largely unnecessary. Below, I will highlight a selection of these built-in features alongside the extensions that replicate them. By uninstalling these now-redundant extensions, you can enhance the performance and efficiency of your editor.
Section 1.1: Auto Closing HTML Tags
The automatic closure of HTML tags is a convenient feature that inserts the corresponding closing tag when a new tag is created.
Extensions for this:
- Auto Close Tag (12.3M+ downloads): Automatically adds closing HTML/XML tags, similar to Visual Studio IDE or Sublime Text.
- Close HTML/XML Tag (344K downloads): Quickly closes the last opened HTML/XML tag.
Built-in feature:
You can manage this setting in VS Code to enable or disable the auto-closing of tags:
- HTML: Auto Closing Tags: Enabled by default.
- JavaScript: Auto Closing Tags: Enabled by default.
- TypeScript: Auto Closing Tags: Enabled by default.
To activate these features, add the following to your settings.json file.
Section 1.2: Path Autocompletion
Path autocompletion suggests a list of files within your project when you're importing a module or linking a resource in HTML.
Extensions for this:
- Path IntelliSense (12.5M+ downloads): Completes filenames in Visual Studio Code.
- Path Autocomplete (1.7M+ downloads): Provides path completion for both Visual Studio Code and the web version.
Built-in feature:
VS Code already includes native path autocompletion. When typing a filename for import (after entering an opening quote), a list of project files appears for quick selection.
Section 1.3: Snippets for HTML and CSS
Extensions can expedite coding by providing common HTML and CSS snippets with easily remembered abbreviations.
Extensions for this:
- HTML Snippets (10.1M+ downloads): Comprehensive HTML tags including HTML5 snippets.
- HTML Boilerplate (3.2M+ downloads): Generates basic HTML5 boilerplate snippets.
- CSS Snippets (225K+ downloads): Provides shorthand snippets for CSS.
Built-in feature:
VS Code features Emmet, which supplies HTML and CSS snippets similar to these extensions. It's enabled by default for several file types, and typing an Emmet abbreviation will prompt a suggestion with auto-completion options.
Section 1.4: Bracket Pair Colorization
Bracket pair colorization enhances syntax highlighting by coloring brackets differently based on their nesting level, aiding in the identification of code scope.
Extensions for this:
- Bracket Pair Colorizer 2 (6.1M+ downloads): A customizable extension for colorizing matching brackets (now deprecated).
- Rainbow Brackets (1.9M downloads): A colorful brackets extension.
Built-in feature:
VS Code has integrated this feature, making it over 10,000 times faster than the previous extension. You can control bracket pair colorization in the settings, which is enabled by default.
Section 1.5: Auto Importing of Modules
This feature automatically imports a module when a function or variable from it is referenced, simplifying the coding process and keeping imports up to date if files are moved.
Extensions for this:
- Auto Import (3.8M downloads): Automatically finds and provides code actions for available imports.
- Move TS (810K downloads): Helps move TypeScript files and updates relative imports.
Built-in feature:
Auto-importing can be managed through settings in VS Code, which are enabled by default.
Chapter 2: Conclusion
These extensions may have been useful in the past, but with VS Code's current capabilities, they are no longer necessary. Removing them will minimize bloat and improve your editor's efficiency.
Explore the video titled "5 Unnecessary VS Code Extensions You Should Uninstall Now" for a deeper understanding of which extensions to remove for optimal performance.
Check out "My Top 5 Uncommon VS Code Extensions for 2024!" to discover additional tools that can enhance your coding experience.