Best keyboard shortcuts for .NET development
A keyboard is an essential tool for programmers, whether coding or just typing away. Some keystrokes can save time using your computer and make it easier to get things done. A shortcut might seem like a simple combination of two or more buttons pressed at the same time, but there’s actually tons of power behind them – they simplify working with programs we regularly use on our computers (such as programming IDE, OS, or tools) which significantly increase productivity levels while also saving valuable minutes each day spent in front of the screen.
It’s easy to forget the shortcuts we use every day. That is why I prepared a list of all my favorite keyboard shortcuts so that if anything were ever forgotten, they would be at hand when needed.
Essential JetBrains Rider keyboard shortcuts
F2 – Rename the file
Alt + Shift + L – Show the Solution Explorer window to focus and select the item
Ctrl + E – Recent Files
Ctrl + N – Search Everywhere
Alt + F7 – Show Usages
Ctrl + Shift + B – Build solution
Ctrl + Shift + S – Save All
Shift, Shift – Go to everything
Alt + Enter – Show Intention Actions
Ctrl + Shift + R – Refactor this
Ctrl + D – Duplicate Line or Selection
Ctrl + Shift + C – Copy Paths
Tab – Indent Selection
Ctrl+Shift+H – Find and Replace
Ctrl + Shift + U – Toggle Case
Ctrl + Shift + G – shows a context-dependent drop-down list with all the possible navigation destinations.
Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Left, Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Right, Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Up, and Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Down – for quickly rearranging code elements including expressions, statements, type members, and other stuff in your code.
Ctrl + Alt + L – automatically apply your formatting rules to a piece of code regarding whitespaces and blank lines.
Ctrl + Alt + Shift + A – Inspect this
Ctrl + Shift + F1 – Quick Documentation
Ctrl + G – Go to Line/Column/etc
Alt + F1 – Select In…
Ctrl + Minus – Go Back
Ctrl + Shift + Minus – Go Forward
Alt + Home – Open Navigation Bar
Ctrl + Alt + F5 – Attach to process (ex. type ‘w3’ and hit Enter)
Learn more at: https://www.jetbrains.com/help/rider/mastering_keyboard_shortcuts.html
PRO Rider TIP #1: Show active item in Solution Explorer
Essential Windows keyboard shortcuts
Ctrl + Shift + N – Create new folder
F2: Rename file or folder
Alt + Tab: Switch apps
Alt + F4: Close apps
Win + D: Show or hide the desktop
Win + left arrow or Win+right arrow: Snap windows
Win + Tab: Open the Task view
Ctrl + Esc: Open the Start menu
Win + I: Open Settings
Win + V: Clipboard history
Win + S: Search Windows
Win + L: Lock your computer
Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open the Task Manager
Win + Ctrl + D: Add a new virtual desktop (hit Alt + Tab to switch between)
Win + X: Open the hidden menu
Win + R: Open the command window
Win + (.) – Open emoji Window
Win + Shift + S – Snip & Sketch – Capture area of the screen
Learn more at: https://www.popsci.com/windows-keyboard-shortcuts/
Essential Visual Studio Code keyboard shortcuts
Ctrl + P – Search file via Search Box
Ctrl + L – Select current line
Ctrl + G – Go to line
Ctrl + K + W – Close all open tabs (pinned will stay)
Alt + Up/Down Arrow – Move selected lines
Ctrl + ` – Open terminal
Essential Total Commander keyboard shortcuts
F7 – Create a directory
Alt + F1 – Change left drive
Alt + F2 – Change the right drive
Alt + F5 – Pack files
Alt + F7 – Find files
Ctrl + L – Show total space occupied (for selected files)
Ctrl + W – Close current active tab
Ctrl + F8 – show directory tree
CTRL+ \ – Turn split view
Conclusion
As software developers, we spend most of our days typing on a keyboard. This means that learning about shortcuts is essential for improving your productivity and saving time. I recommend you take the time to learn some keyboard shortcuts because they can make it easier for you to do things like coding or working with OS and spreadsheets without burning time.
Leave a comment if you enjoyed this post, share your best keyboard shortcuts below, or if you have anything else to contribute.