How do I go to the end of a line in VS code without using the mouse or some key combinations?

Question

I am using VS Code to write some HTML. I noticed that the IDE will auto-insert some code for me. For example, if I want a

tag, VS Code will create

for me and the cursor will land in the middle (between the opening and closing paragraph tags). However, when I am done typing the content inside the

tags, typically, I use my mouse or the directional right-arrow to move to the end. Is there a way to not move my fingers from the typing positions (e.g. fdsa and jkl;) to go to the end of the line or tag, or would I always have to use the mouse or directional pad?

I find IDEs like what JetBrains provide do not have this limitation for certain languages. For example, in Python, if I want to print something using PyCharm, I can type (the closing single quote and right parenthesis are auto-added)

print('')

My cursor will land inside the single quotes. To simply get outside the closing parenthesis, I simply type in ' followed by ) and the IDE is smart enough to know to not place the single quote and closing parenthesis there (it's like using the right arrow twice to get outside the print statement).

WebStorm, like VS Code, has the "problem" when dealing with HTML. If I am inside an opening and closing

tag, and right next to the closing one

, simply typing <, /, p, > will not land me outside (as with Python and PyCharm). On Windows, I can press the End key or on Mac I can press fn+right to get to the end; but that requires breaking the flow and continuity of my hands in the typing positions (eyes have to be redirected too).

Any tips on how to be a more productive coder using VS Code or other modern IDEs with HTML? Are there plugins that we may use to address this problem?

user_13972806 · Answer

I often just use + → (right arrow) a few times to quickly navigate past words and code blocks. It won't immediately get you to the end but if there isn't a ton of code after your current cursor location, a few quick uses of this keystroke can be faster than lifting your hands and checking with eyes to find the key.

Depending on what your keyboard layout is, this could be faster. Personally, if it's a big issue, I would second other posters here and add a custom keybind / hotkey to a lesser-used key nearby.

//Begin CAVEAT

I'm not mentioning just using the key here as a solution purposefully, since you indicated that using that using keys too far from home row broke your flow. Depending on my keyboard layout, that is often the fastest option by far, however my current keyboard makes that a non-starter. Part of the issue here is that people's experience is so different based on what keyboard they're using, as well as hand size and dexterity. YMMV with any solutions we mention that isn't a custom keybind.

//END CAVEAT

user_13887500 · Answer

I believe the default is ctrl + e. I don't recall changing it in my keybindings, but maybe I did. Regardless you can set it to what ever you want. It's named cursorLineEnd

user_749530 · Answer

Cmd + Right

This will go to the end of you current line.

Tips:

Hold down shift to start a selection
Use Alt or Ctrl instead of Cmd to change the distance the cursor travels

user_11632970 · Answer

You can paste this code in your keybindings.json file in vs code

ctrl+RightArrow ....>>> for Move cursor to Line end
ctrl+LeftArrow ....>>> for Move cursor to Line start
alt+RightArrow .....>>> for moving cursor word by word
alt+LeftArrow ....>>> for moving cursor word by word

Just paste this code into your keybindings.json in vs code

[
{
        "key": "alt+right",
        "command": "cursorWordEndRight",
        "when": "textInputFocus && !accessibilityModeEnabled"
    },
    {
        "key": "alt+left",
        "command": "cursorWordEndLeft",
        "when": "textInputFocus && !accessibilityModeEnabled"
    },
    {
        "key": "ctrl+right",
        "command": "cursorLineEnd"
    },
    {
        "key": "ctrl+left",
        "command": "cursorLineStart"
    },
]

Make sure to adjust commas and brackets, if there is already some code.

user_2353523 · Answer

I'm not sure which OS you specifically use being that you mentioned but an OS agnostic approach is to create your own keybind / key chord (sequence).

A key chord is essentially a way to use another 'layer' of key shortcuts, if you use your imagination for lingo. To illustrate: consider CTRL + S is a keyboard shortcut. Now consider CRTL + K chord CTRL + S, which is a completely different shortcut even though you use the same sequence.

Consider an edit/insert mode

I don't use vim, nor have I ever tried, but I really find value in the idea of having different 'modes', one visual one for insert and edit. Personally, I have elected CTRL + E to be my chord sequence for 'edit mode'. Now, every single key and sequence of keys becomes a brand new possability. Why CTRL + E? Well 'e' for edit, naturally, but also because it is default duplicate; for whatever reason vscode identifies this shortcut to be the same as CTRL + P by default.

I then use $ to go to the end of the line and ^ to the beginning, arbitrarily because of regex, but the point is you can create your own according to your own preference, which appears to be that of the home row. So if you elect to go this approach you can use j if you want. If you were to argue this is too much user input for a single action, consider the position of using a PC at home and a mac at work, as I do, you would already be comfortable with your settings and not need to 're-learn' shortcuts.

This answer uses an approach that affords you the creative freedom to define what a 'productive coder' looks like for you, provides a different approach to going to the end of line while maintaining your home row position, and hopefully demonstrates to any new vscoders that you are not bound to just using the native CTRL + K sequence as the chord identifier.

Regardless, re:

without using ... some key combinations?

That's unavoidable, I think, unless you choose to remap normal typing keys for this purpose

user_16831233 · Answer

Change the key binding for cursor down to Shift + Space. I didn't remap right Arrow for reasons I'll explain shortly, but I could have easily done that as well.

When I code, I like to use indented formatting. So, when I type

and

is automatically generated, I go one step further and press ENTER. By default, that causes to move to the same indention level as

on the line below my cursor, and puts my cursor on an indented line below

. Gif for reference:

Shortcut to make an indented block:

Shortcut to make an indented block

That leaves my fingers basically on the home keys, because when I'm done in that level, I'll press Shift + Space to go to the line below, where the ending tag will be, and then I can press ENTER a couple times as normal and create a new tag or whatever else I'll be adding to the file.

If you would like to set up your key bindings like mine, or do something slightly different, here is what I did:

Ctrl + K Ctrl + S (to open key bindings)
Search for "cursorDown"
Highlight the row and press ENTER
Press Shift + Space

user_18161787 · Answer

If you like to stick to the home row and do not want to use arrow keys, you can customize your keyboard shortcuts.

paste the below code to your keybindings.json file in vs code.

Feel free to customize these shortcuts by changing key combinations.

,{
    "key": "alt+l",
    "command": "cursorEnd",
    "when": "editorTextFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "alt+j",
    "command": "cursorHome",
    "when": "editorTextFocus"
  }

How do I go to the end of a line in VS code without using the mouse or some key combinations?

7 Answers