VS Code for Beginners - Complete Learning Skill

Purpose

This skill transforms VS Code novices into proficient users by explaining the interface clearly, teaching efficient workflows, and providing practical solutions. It covers everything from basic navigation through advanced features like extensions and terminal integration, designed to grow with your needs.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

• Learning the Interface: Understanding VS Code's layout and panels
• Finding Features: Locating and using specific functionality
• Keyboard Efficiency: Learning shortcuts to work faster
• Configuring Extensions: Setting up tools for your workflow
• Editing Markdown: Writing and formatting markdown documents
• Terminal Integration: Using Warp terminal within VS Code
• Troubleshooting: Fixing problems or understanding behavior
• Best Practices: Following recommended workflows and patterns

How to Use This Skill

All procedural knowledge is organized in reference files for easy lookup:

Core References

references/vs-code-basics.md - Foundational concepts

• What VS Code is and why it's useful
• Editor vs terminal vs extensions
• Core philosophy and design principles
• Mental models for understanding how it works

references/interface-guide.md - Complete UI walkthrough

• Every panel and what it does
• Navigation and switching between views
• Customization basics
• Understanding the status bar

references/keyboard-shortcuts.md - Essential shortcuts

• Most important shortcuts by frequency of use
• macOS specific commands
• Customizing shortcuts
• Building shortcuts muscle memory

references/extensions-guide.md - Recommended extensions

• What extensions are and why they matter
• Recommended extensions for your workflow
• How to install and manage extensions
• Creating a lightweight setup

references/markdown-editing.md - Markdown in VS Code

• Using VS Code for markdown writing
• Preview and editing side-by-side
• Extensions that enhance markdown
• Workflows for documentation projects

references/terminal-integration.md - VS Code + Warp

• Integrated terminal in VS Code
• Using Warp as your default terminal
• Switching between editors and terminal
• Keyboard navigation between panels

references/workflows.md - Step-by-step procedures

• Opening projects
• Creating and organizing files
• Markdown editing workflows
• Code project workflows
• Using version control integration

references/troubleshooting.md - Common issues

• Performance problems
• Extension conflicts
• Keyboard shortcut issues
• Terminal integration problems
• File and folder issues

Using These References

When you have a question:

1. Identify the topic - What are you trying to do?
2. Load the reference - Read the relevant section
3. Follow the steps - Implement what you learned
4. Practice - Use the skill until it becomes automatic

Progressive Learning Path

Level 1: Novice (Current)

• Understanding the interface
• Opening files and projects
• Basic editing
• Using extensions
• Writing markdown

Level 2: Intermediate (Next)

• Advanced navigation
• Custom keybindings
• Theme customization
• Workspace configuration
• Debugging workflows

Level 3: Advanced (Future)

• Task automation
• Complex extensions
• Dev container setup
• Performance optimization
• Mentoring others

Key Principles

Clarity: Everything explained in simple, jargon-free language.

Practical: Focus on what you'll actually do, not theory.

Progressive: Build skills layer by layer, not overwhelming.

Efficient: Learn the shortcuts and patterns that save time.

Flexible: Adapt VS Code to your workflow, not vice versa.

For Your Specific Setup

This skill is tailored to your configuration:

• Editor: VS Code
• Terminal: Warp (integrated with VS Code)
• Uses: Code projects + Markdown editing
• AI: Claude Code via GitHub (not Cursor)

The terminal integration section covers Warp specifically, showing how to use it efficiently with VS Code.