Efficient code folding is an important part of productivity when writing code. Folding is part of the larger and more complex task of code navigation. Folding helps in several ways when working with a single file of code.

Being able to see all the method names at once helps with rearranging methods so related methods are near each other, which improves code readability.

Folding methods or classes you aren’t actively editing helps me keep my focus on what I’m actively working on, so I don’t get tempted to do too many things at once, which can hurt productivity. For example while writing a new method, I may notice some other methods that need refactoring, which leads me to database procedures which I want to optimize, which leads me to wanting to change the formatting of the results.

My favorite command for folding in VS Code is the (Control + K, Control + 2) command. Here the 2 means to fold all regions at the second level, while leaving region 1 and regions greater than 2 unfolded.

In many C# files, (Control K, Control + 3) will collapse all method definitions, because methods are usually at the 3rd level after (1) Namespace, (2) Classes.

namespace folding_example_LEVEL_1
{
    public class folding_example_LEVEL_2
    {
        public class folding_example_LEVEL_3{

        }

        public void folding_Example_LEVEL_3(){

            if(true)
            { // LEVEL 4

                
            }

        }

    }
}

These shortcuts require the vim extension is enabled

On my laptop keyboard, stretching my fingers up to the f12 key is a pain. These keys are smaller than the rest of the keys, and are confusing in that in additional to application commands, they also control monitor brightness, sound volume, etc.

In VS Code

gd will also “Go To Definition” just like F12.

Control + O can bring you back to where you were before jumping to definition. This to me is an easier key combination than the VSCode back and forward navigation via Alt + Left Arrow/Right Arrow