Command palette
Global
A central VS Code habit for fast actions.
With MacKeys
⌘ + P
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + P
High frequency
Programming shortcut guide
Visual Studio Code shortcuts for Mac-native people on Windows
VS Code is a core programming directory candidate because its shortcut vocabulary is deeply embedded in developer workflows. MacKeys makes the Windows version feel closer to the Mac habits many teams already carry between laptops and desktops.
With MacKeys
Command-first shortcuts stay readable and familiar.
The goal is not to make Figma different. It is to remove the modifier translation layer so common actions still feel like the Mac workflow your hands already know.
Without MacKeys
The work is the same, but the keyboard language keeps shifting.
Native Windows shortcuts usually ask for `Ctrl` and `Alt` translations. In dense design sessions, that adds up as hesitation, extra reach, and slower recovery when you are moving quickly.
Shortcut rows
9
Workflow actions covered on this page.
Translated shortcuts
9
Rows where MacKeys removes the Windows modifier translation.
High-gain actions
3
8 of these are high-frequency shortcuts.
Workflow sections
Jump to the part of Figma where shortcut translation matters most.
Editing
Editing shortcuts
Frequent code editing shortcuts.
Duplicate line
Editor
A useful example of movement-heavy shortcut translation.
With MacKeys
⇧ + ⌥ + Down
Without MacKeys
Shift + Alt + Down
High frequency
Comment line
Editor
Used constantly in development and debugging.
With MacKeys
⌘ + /
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + /
High frequency
Format document
Editor
A common cleanup step before commits.
With MacKeys
⇧ + ⌥ + F
Without MacKeys
Shift + Alt + F
High frequency
Search
Search shortcuts
Find and replace actions.
Find
Editor
Standard search workflow.
With MacKeys
⌘ + F
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + F
High frequency
Find in files
Project
One of the most important codebase-wide actions.
With MacKeys
⌘ + Shift + F
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + Shift + F
High frequency
Terminal and Panels
Terminal and Panels shortcuts
Workspace and integrated terminal shortcuts.
Toggle terminal
Panels
Very frequent for full-stack development.
With MacKeys
⌘ + `
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + `
High frequency
Toggle sidebar
Panels
Useful for workspace navigation.
With MacKeys
⌘ + B
Without MacKeys
Ctrl + B
Medium frequency
Reading the gain labels
A shortcut gets a higher estimated gain when it combines three things: frequent use, more awkward native Windows modifiers, and a higher likelihood of breaking Mac muscle memory in the middle of focused work.
High gain
Medium gain
Low gain
Why this matters in Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code rewards fast repetition. Duplicate, group, frame, zoom, and property-copy actions are not isolated commands. They are part of the rhythm. The closer that rhythm stays to Mac muscle memory, the less time gets lost to tiny modifier decisions.
FAQ
Why does VS Code belong in this category? +
Because it is one of the most common cross-platform editors and shortcut consistency matters all day long.