Best VS Code Plugins 2019: Top Extensions Reviewed

As we reflect on the development landscape of 2019, Visual Studio Code continued to dominate as the code editor of choice for millions of developers worldwide. The secret to VS Code's success lies in its extensive extension ecosystem that transforms it from a simple text editor into a powerful integrated development environment. This comprehensive guide covers the best VS Code plugins 2019 had to offer, carefully selected based on community adoption, functionality, and impact on developer workflow efficiency.

Understanding VS Code Extensions Ecosystem

The VS Code extension marketplace grew exponentially throughout 2019, with over 20,000 available extensions by year's end. These plugins range from language support and debuggers to themes and productivity boosters. The true power of VS Code lies in its ability to be customized for virtually any development workflow, whether you're working on frontend JavaScript, backend Python, or mobile applications.

According to the VS Code Documentation, extensions can dramatically enhance your coding experience by adding new languages, themes, debuggers, and connections to additional services. The best VS Code plugins 2019 introduced often combined multiple functionalities while maintaining performance.

Essential Productivity Plugins

GitLens - Supercharge Your Git Experience

GitLens remains one of the most indispensable extensions for developers working with version control. It enhances Git capabilities directly within VS Code, providing blame annotations, code lens, and repository history.

Bracket Pair Colorizer 2

This plugin dramatically improves code readability by colorizing matching brackets with distinct colors, making it easier to identify nested code blocks.

Language-Specific Extensions

Python Extension by Microsoft

The Python extension transformed VS Code into a powerful Python IDE with support for IntelliSense, linting, debugging, and Jupyter notebook integration.

ES7+ React/Redux/React-Native Snippets

For JavaScript and React developers, this extension provides essential code snippets that accelerate development workflow.

Debugging and Testing Tools

Thunder Client - Lightweight REST API Client

Before Thunder Client, developers often switched between VS Code and external tools like Postman. This extension brought REST API testing directly into the editor.

Live Server

For web developers, Live Server provides a rapid development environment with live reload capability, eliminating manual browser refreshing.

Common Configuration Mistakes and Solutions

Many developers encounter performance issues after installing multiple extensions. The key is to disable extensions you don't regularly use and configure the essential ones properly.

Another common pitfall is extension conflicts. When experiencing unusual behavior, use the Developer: Show Running Extensions command to identify potential conflicts and disable extensions one by one to isolate the issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes these the best VS Code plugins 2019 edition?

These extensions were selected based on their impact on developer productivity, community ratings, update frequency, and compatibility with VS Code's evolving architecture throughout 2019. They represent categories where they provided significant value over alternatives.

How many VS Code extensions should I install?

While there's no strict limit, most developers find 10-15 well-chosen extensions optimal. Installing too many can impact performance. Focus on extensions that solve specific problems in your daily workflow rather than installing everything that seems interesting.

Are these 2019 plugins still relevant today?

Most of the best VS Code plugins 2019 featured remain highly relevant, though some have been replaced by built-in features or newer alternatives. The core concepts and categories remain valuable for understanding what makes a good VS Code extension.

How do I manage extension updates?

VS Code automatically handles extension updates by default. You can control this behavior in settings or check for updates manually using the Extensions view. The VS Code Update Documentation provides detailed information on update policies.

Can extensions slow down VS Code?

Yes, particularly extensions that run background processes or perform extensive file system operations. Monitor your editor's performance using the Developer: Show Running Extensions command and disable any extensions causing slowdowns.

Conclusion

The best VS Code plugins 2019 offered developers represented a mature ecosystem that significantly enhanced coding efficiency across multiple programming languages and workflows. From Git integration with GitLens to language-specific support like the Python extension, these tools demonstrated how a well-curated extension collection could transform development experiences. While the specific extensions may evolve, the categories and principles behind these selections remain valuable for any developer looking to optimize their VS Code setup.