From WebStorm to VS Code: How I Configured My Development Environment

As a developer, I've had the pleasure of working with various tools and technologies over the years. While each project presents its unique set of challenges, there are certain requirements that remain consistent across my development environment. For me, a code editor should be able to highlight syntax, format code, refactor and autocomplete JS, TS, SCSS/LESS, HTML files while also providing comfortable navigation between components and templates.

My journey from WebStorm to VS Code began many years ago when I was seeking a more flexible and customizable development environment. After configuring my VS Code setup, I discovered that it could fulfill all of these requirements with ease. In this article, I'll share my experience migrating from WebStorm and provide tips on how to achieve a 3-column diff tool similar to what's available in WebStorm.

One of the key features that I miss from WebStorm is the file indexing capability, which allows the IDE to understand my code better than I do. This feature enables seamless navigation between components and templates while working with JS frameworks like Angular or React. Although VS Code doesn't have this exact feature, its powerful extensions ecosystem provides a range of alternatives that can achieve similar results.

In addition to code editing capabilities, I often need to work on the server-side of projects. With VS Code, I've found it easy to install and configure plugins for tasks such as debugging, testing, and deployment. The flexibility of VS Code allows me to work with various languages and technologies across multiple projects, which is essential for my workflow.

For those who have used KDiff3 in the past, you may be interested in knowing that I've also tested an alternative diff tool. While it's not as polished as the 3-column diff tool available in WebStorm, it does provide easier visualization of single-word/space insertions and deletions within a line. This is especially helpful when working with large codebases.

In conclusion, migrating from WebStorm to VS Code has been a game-changer for my development environment. With its powerful extensions ecosystem and flexible configuration options, I've been able to create a custom setup that meets all of my requirements. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can also achieve a 3-column diff tool and other features that are essential for your development workflow.

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