Best VS Code Extensions for Frontend Developers (2025 Edition)
Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is one of the most popular code editors for frontend developers — and for good reason. It’s fast, lightweight, and incredibly customizable thanks to its massive extension library.
In this post, we’ll explore the best VS Code extensions every frontend developer should install to boost productivity, write cleaner code, and improve project workflow.
1. Prettier – Code Formatter
Use for: Automatic code formatting
Why it's great: Prettier keeps your code neat and consistent by formatting HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and more on save. No more worrying about indentation or semicolons — Prettier handles it all.
// Before:
function helloWorld(){console.log("Hello")}
// After:
function helloWorld() {
console.log("Hello");
}
2. Live Server
Use for: Instant browser preview with auto reload
Why it's great: Live Server launches a local development server and automatically refreshes your browser whenever you save a file. It’s perfect for static HTML/CSS/JS projects.
3. ES7+ React/Redux/React-Native Snippets
Use for: React and Redux code snippets
Why it's great: This extension saves tons of typing time by giving you React/Redux/Next.js code snippets. For example, typing rafce creates a boilerplate React arrow function component in seconds.
// rafce expands to:
const Component = () => {
return <div>Component</div>;
};
export default Component;
4. Tailwind CSS IntelliSense
Use for: Tailwind class autocompletion
Why it's great: If you're using Tailwind CSS, this is a must-have. It provides class name suggestions, linting, and hover previews for Tailwind utility classes directly in your code editor.
Install Tailwind CSS IntelliSense
5. Auto Rename Tag
Use for: Syncing HTML/JSX tag pairs
Why it's great: When you rename an opening HTML or JSX tag, the closing tag updates automatically. Simple but incredibly helpful for maintaining clean markup.
6. Bracket Pair Colorizer 2
Use for: Highlighting matching brackets
Why it's great: Nested code can be hard to read. This extension assigns colors to matching brackets, making it easier to visually trace opening/closing pairs — especially useful in React, Vue, or deeply nested JavaScript.
Install Bracket Pair Colorizer
7. IntelliSense for CSS Class Names in HTML
Use for: Autocomplete for class names from your CSS files
Why it's great: This extension pulls class names directly from your linked CSS files and suggests them while you type inside class="" attributes in HTML.
Install CSS Class IntelliSense
8. Path Intellisense
Use for: Autocomplete file paths
Why it's great: Tired of guessing relative paths when importing files? This extension autocompletes filenames and directory paths as you type, saving time and reducing errors.
9. GitLens
Use for: Git version control insights
Why it's great: GitLens gives you deep Git integration in VS Code — see who changed a line of code, when, and why. Perfect for teams or for understanding code history.
10. Import Cost
Use for: Checking bundle sizes on imports
Why it's great: Shows the size of each imported package inline in your editor. Helps you keep track of bundle bloat before it becomes a problem.
Final Thoughts
These extensions can significantly speed up your workflow and improve your frontend development experience in VS Code. Whether you're building with React, plain HTML/CSS, or Tailwind — having the right tools makes all the difference.
Which one is your favorite? Did I miss any must-have VS Code extensions? Let me know in the comments or reach out via contact form!