Introduction: Work Smarter, Not Harder
How much time do you spend each day on repetitive tasks? Renaming variables across multiple files, searching for that one specific function, or manually formatting blocks of code can quietly eat into your productive coding time.
Many developers believe that speed comes solely from typing faster. The truth is, the secret to faster coding isn’t just your typing speed—it’s knowing your tools. Your Integrated Development Environment (IDEs) is packed with powerful features designed to eliminate these very bottlenecks, but they often remain hidden behind menus or unremembered keyboard shortcuts.
We have dug into the most popular IDEs—like Visual Studio Code, IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, and Eclipse—to find the most impactful yet overlooked features that can transform your daily workflow.
The 10 Hidden IDEs Features You Should Be Using
Here are ten features that feel like superpowers once you start using them.
#1. Multi-Cursor Editing & Block Selection
This feature fundamentally changes how you edit multiple lines at once, turning a tedious, error-prone task into a simple one.
The Benefit: Edit multiple lines or occurrences of text simultaneously, without the risk of copy-paste mistakes. It is perfect for refactoring, creating lists, or changing multiple variables.
How to Use It:
-
Add Cursors: Click while holding
Ctrl(Windows/Linux) orCmd(Mac) at different locations. -
Select Next Occurrence: Press
Ctrl + D(Windows/Linux) orCmd + D(Mac) to select the next instance of the currently selected word. -
Create a Vertical Block Cursor: Hold
Alt + Shift(Windows/Linux) orOption + Shift(Mac) and drag your mouse vertically.
Where to Find It:
-
Primary: VS Code, IntelliJ-based IDEs (PyCharm, WebStorm), Sublime Text.
-
Also in: Most modern code editors.
Pro-Tip: In VS Code, after selecting multiple occurrences with Ctrl+D, you can press Ctrl+F2 to select all occurrences in the file at once for a project-wide rename in a single file.
(Note: Place for a high-quality, annotated GIF showing multi-cursor editing in action)
#2. Integrated Terminal Power User Tricks
Why switch away from your code? The integrated terminal keeps you in a single, focused environment.
The Benefit: Execute shell commands, run builds, or use Git without ever leaving your IDE, maintaining your context and saving precious seconds with each command.
How to Use It:
-
Open Terminal: The standard shortcut is `Ctrl + “ (Backtick) in most IDEs, including VS Code and IntelliJ.
-
Create Multiple Terminals: Look for a “+” icon in the terminal panel to open tabs or split views for different tasks (e.g., one for your server, one for Git).
-
Quickly Paste Paths: In many IDEs, you can drag a file from the explorer into the terminal to paste its full path.
Where to Find It:
-
Universal: VS Code, IntelliJ, PyCharm, Eclipse.
Pro-Tip: Use the up and down arrow keys in the terminal to cycle through your command history, saving you from retyping long commands.
#3. Live Templates & Code Snippets
Stop typing the same code structures over and over. Let your IDE type them for you.
The Benefit: Insert common code blocks (like loops, conditional statements, or custom functions) with a few keystrokes, ensuring consistency and saving time.
How to Use It:
-
In IntelliJ/PyCharm: These are called “Live Templates.” Type the abbreviation (e.g.,
soutforSystem.out.println())
in Java) and press Tab.
-
In VS Code: These are “User Snippets.” You can create your own by going to File > Preferences > Configure User Snippets.
Where to Find It:
-
Primary: IntelliJ (Live Templates), VS Code (User Snippets).
-
Also in: Most advanced editors have a similar system.
Pro-Tip: Invest 15 minutes to create custom snippets for your most frequently used code patterns or project-specific boilerplate. The time payback is enormous.
#4. The “Recent Files” & “Recent Locations” Navigator
This is the fastest way to navigate a large codebase, hands down.
The Benefit: Instantly jump to any recently opened file or a specific line within a file without scrolling through the project explorer.
How to Use It:
-
Recent Files: Press
Ctrl + E(VS Code, IntelliJ). -
Recent Locations: Press
Ctrl + Shift + E(IntelliJ) orCtrl + Tab(VS Code) to cycle through your edit history, which is even more precise.
Where to Find It:
-
Primary: IntelliJ, PyCharm, VS Code.
Pro-Tip: The “Recent Files” dialog is searchable. Start typing a filename as soon as you open the pop-up to filter the list instantly.
#5. Advanced Debugging: Conditional Breakpoints & Logpoints
Move beyond simple breakpoints and make your debugging sessions intelligent and efficient.
The Benefit: A Conditional Breakpoint only pauses execution when a specific condition is met (e.g., when a loop index i == 5). A Logpoint prints a message to the console without pausing execution, like a temporary console.log that removes itself.
How to Use It:
-
Set a Breakpoint: Click on the gutter next to a line number.
-
Make it Conditional: Right-click the red breakpoint dot, select “Edit Breakpoint,” and enter your condition (e.g.,
username === "admin"). -
Set a Logpoint: In VS Code, right-click the gutter and select “Add Logpoint.” In IntelliJ, it’s called a “Non-suspending Breakpoint” with a log message.
Where to Find It:
-
Primary: VS Code, IntelliJ, PyCharm.
Pro-Tip: Use Logpoints to add debug tracing without cluttering your codebase. It is ideal for checking how often a function is called or the value of a variable in a tight loop.
#6. Source Control Blame & Annotations
Quickly uncover the “why” behind a code change directly within your editor.
The Benefit: See the author, commit message, and date for every line of code inline in your editor. This is invaluable for understanding recent changes or tracking down when a bug was introduced.
How to Find It:
-
In VS Code: The “GitLens” extension is the gold standard for this, adding rich blame annotations and history.
-
In IntelliJ: Right-click the gutter near the line numbers and select “Annotate.”
Where to Find It:
-
Universal: All major IDEs with Git integration, often enhanced by extensions.
Pro-Tip: Clicking on the annotation will often show you the full commit diff, allowing you to see the exact changes made in that commit.
#7. Keyboard-Driven File Explorer
Keep your hands on the keyboard. This is the fastest way to open a file.
The Benefit: Instantly search and open any file in your project by its name, without using your mouse to navigate the folder tree.
How to Use It:
-
VS Code: Press
Ctrl + Pto open the “Go to File” quick-open dialog. -
IntelliJ/PyCharm: Press
Shift + Shift(Double Shift) to open “Search Everywhere.”
Where to Find It:
-
Primary: VS Code, IntelliJ-based IDEs.
Pro-Tip: These dialogs are also fuzzy search-enabled. You can type parts of the filename without spaces or even make typos, and the IDE will likely still find the correct file.
#8. Database Integration & Query Tools
Manage your database without leaving your IDE.
The Benefit: Connect to a database, browse its tables, write and run SQL queries, and see the results in a dedicated panel, all within your coding environment.
How to Find It:
-
IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate: Has a superb built-in Database Tools window.
-
VS Code: Excellent extensions like “SQLTools” or the “MySQL” extension provide similar functionality.
Where to Find It:
-
Primary: IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate (paid), VS Code (via extensions).
Pro-Tip: You can version control your SQL query files right alongside the application code that uses them.
#9. Built-in REST Client
Stop switching to Postman or Insomnia for quick API tests.
The Benefit: Write and execute HTTP requests directly from a text file in your IDE, keeping your API tests version-controlled and easily shareable with the team.
How to Use It:
-
VS Code: Use the “Thunder Client” extension or the built-in “REST Client” extension by Huachao Mao. You simply create an
.httpfile and write yourGET https://api.example.com/usersrequests. -
IntelliJ: Has a built-in HTTP Client. Use the “http” file type to write and run requests.
Where to Find It:
-
Primary: VS Code (extensions), IntelliJ (built-in).
Pro-Tip: You can store environment variables and create collections of requests, making it a powerful, code-based alternative to GUI API clients.
#10. “Run Anything” & Contextual Actions
A command palette on steroids for executing IDE commands and context-sensitive fixes.
The Benefit: Perform almost any action in your IDE—running a configuration, debugging a script, or applying a quick code fix—without navigating menus.
How to Use It:
-
Run Anything: In IntelliJ, press
Ctrl + Shift + A(Windows/Linux) orCmd + Shift + A(Mac) and type any action. -
Contextual Actions: Place your cursor on a line of code with a warning or suggestion (like a yellow bulb or lightbulb icon) and press
Alt + Enterto see a list of available fixes and actions.
Where to Find It:
-
Primary: IntelliJ-based IDEs are masters of this.
-
Similar: VS Code’s Command Palette (
Ctrl+Shift+P) serves a similar “do anything” function.
Pro-Tip: Alt + Enter is your best friend for quick-fixing imports, implementing methods, extracting variables, and more. Get into the habit of using it whenever you see a lightbulb.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the most useful hidden IDE feature?
A: While subjective, multi-cursor editing often provides the most immediate and dramatic productivity boost for developers of all levels, as it tackles a universal pain point: repetitive text editing.
Q: Can I customize these features?
A: Absolutely. Most IDEs are highly customizable. You can rebind nearly any keyboard shortcut to your liking and create your own live templates or code snippets for the patterns you use most often.
Q: I’m using Eclipse. Do these features apply?
A: Yes, many of them do. Eclipse has powerful features like multi-cursor editing (via a plugin or in newer versions), a strong debugger with conditional breakpoints, and excellent keyboard navigation. The specific shortcuts may differ, but the concepts are universal across modern IDEs.
Conclusion: Master Your Tools
Mastering your IDE is not about learning every single feature; it is about discovering the handful of tools that align with your workflow and eliminate friction. Integrating even two or three of these hidden features into your daily routine will save you time, reduce context-switching, and make you a more efficient and focused developer.