Setup and Interface

Command Palette

Learn to find editor commands quickly and work without memorising every menu in this beginner-friendly Visual Studio Code lesson.

Learning outcomes

  • Explain how to find editor commands quickly.
  • Complete the guided activity safely.
  • Check that you can work without memorising every menu.

Before you begin

Use a non-sensitive practice folder, inspect unfamiliar code before trusting it, and never place passwords, tokens or private information in project files.

Open official guidance ↗

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Open the intended practice workspace in Visual Studio Code and confirm its folder name and Workspace Trust state.
  2. Open the palette and run a harmless view command.
  3. Save the relevant files and review the Problems panel, terminal, Source Control view or browser preview as appropriate.
  4. Check filenames, relative paths, console messages, keyboard use, mobile layout and privacy before continuing.
  5. Confirm that you can work without memorising every menu, then create a clear commit, backup or saved checkpoint.
Ian's practical tip: Work in one named project folder, preview after small changes, read the actual error message and keep a recoverable version before broad edits.

Practical activity

Open the palette and run a harmless view command. The expected result is to work without memorising every menu.

Completion checklist