If you are a technical writer who uses VS code for documentation purpose. You must know Markdown Shortcuts. Markdown Shortcuts is one of the coolest extensions I’ve ever used in VS Code.
About Markdown Shortcuts
Markdown Shortcuts offers a lot of shortcuts to help you write the content in Markdown. It is a must-have extension for developers, technical writers, bloggers, and content creators who work with Markdown in code editors. It brings speed and ease to formatting with simple keyboard shortcuts, helping you focus more on content and less on syntax.
Why you should try it?
- Boosts productivity for software developers
- Perfect for writing SEO-friendly blog posts
- Ideal for creating technical documentation or developer tutorials
- Increases efficiency in content marketing and affiliate blogging
Installing Markdown Shortcuts in VS Code
Installing is quick and easy.
- Open Visual Studio Code, one of the most powerful free IDEs for developers.
- Click the Extensions icon on the Activity Bar (or press
Ctrl + Shift + X
). - Search for Markdown Shortcuts, look for the one by @mdickin
- Click Install.
Small demo
- Create a new file called
test.md
- Type: Hello, this is a test.
- Highlight the word “test”
- Press Ctrl + B (or Cmd + B on Mac)
- Result: it becomes bold →
Hello, this is a **test**.
Most useful Markdown Shortcuts
These are the productivity shortcuts every developer, content creator, and blogger using VS Code should know:

Final thoughts
Using Markdown Shortcuts in VS Code is a simple yet powerful way to write better, faster, and more efficiently — especially if you’re creating developer blogs, technical content, or programming tutorials.
Whether you’re building a profitable tech blog, or growing your online writing business, this extension is a hidden gem that helps you do more in less time.