If you're diving into Python Django web development, choosing the right VS Code extensions can significantly improve your productivity. Visual Studio Code is a lightweight, fast, and highly customizable code editor. When paired with the right extensions, it becomes a powerful IDE tailored for Django development.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best VS Code extensions to set up for a smooth and efficient Django workflow.

Why Use VS Code for Django?

VS Code offers:

  • Lightweight Performance: Fast startup and minimal resource usage.
  • Rich Ecosystem: Thousands of extensions available for customization.
  • Integrated Terminal and Git: Makes managing projects easy from within the editor.
  • Python-Friendly Environment: Built-in support for Python and Django.

Prerequisites

Before installing extensions, ensure you have:

  • Python installed (python --version)
  • Pip for package management
  • Django installed (pip install django)
  • VS Code installed (Download here)

Must-Have VS Code Extensions for Django

Essential Extensions Essential Extensions for Django Development in VS Code

1. Python Extension for Visual Studio Code

 ms-python.python

  • Provides IntelliSense, linting, debugging, code navigation, refactoring, and formatting tools.
  • Essential for Django development as it understands Python syntax and Django project structures.

2. Django

batisteo.vscode-django

  • Adds Django template language support.
  • Enables syntax highlighting for template tags ({% %} and {{ }}).
  • Includes helpful snippets for common Django patterns like models, views, and forms.

3. Django Snippets

 bibhasdn.django-snippets

  • A collection of ready-to-use snippets for Django models, views, forms, serializers, and more.
  • Speeds up development by reducing repetitive code writing.

4. Django Template

 bibhasdn.django-html

  • Improves syntax highlighting and IntelliSense for Django template files (.html).
  • Enhances editing experience for Django’s templating language inside HTML documents.

HTML/CSS/JavaScript Support Extensions

1. Auto Close Tag

 formulahendry.auto-close-tag

  • Automatically adds closing tags in HTML and Django template files.
  • Speeds up writing and reduces common tag errors.

2. Auto Complete Tag

formulahendry.auto-complete-tag

  • Provides auto-completion for matching HTML tags.
  • Especially useful when writing HTML inside Django templates.

3. Auto Rename Tag

formulahendry.auto-rename-tag

  • Automatically renames paired HTML tags when one is updated.
  • Great for editing and refactoring complex HTML and Django template structures.

4. Highlight Matching Tag

vincaslt.highlight-matching-tag

  • Visually highlights matching opening and closing tags in HTML.
  • Helps with navigation and editing in nested or complex layouts.

 Productivity Boosters

1. GitHub Copilot

GitHub.copilot

  • AI-powered coding assistant that suggests code in real time.
  • Helps with both Python logic and Django template code generation.
  • Speeds up development by reducing repetitive tasks and boilerplate writing.

2. IntelliCode

VisualStudioExptTeam.vscodeintellicode

  • Offers AI-assisted IntelliSense tailored to your coding patterns.
  • Learns from your codebase to provide smarter, context-aware suggestions.

3. IntelliCode API Usage Examples

VisualStudioExptTeam.intellicode-api-usage-examples

  • Displays real-world API usage patterns from open-source repositories.
  • Ideal for learning new Django modules and usage patterns.

Code Quality

1. Prettier – Code Formatter

esbenp.prettier-vscode

  • An opinionated code formatter that enforces consistent code style.
  • Can be configured to work with Django templates and HTML files.
  • Reduces formatting debates and keeps your codebase clean.

2. Python Indent

 KevinRose.vsc-python-indent

  • Ensures correct Python indentation, especially in nested structures.
  • Very useful in Django projects where function definitions, conditionals, and loops are deeply nested.

Visual Helpers

1. vscode-icons

vscode-icons-team.vscode-icons

  • Adds visual file icons in the Explorer panel.
  • Helps quickly identify Django-specific files like models.py, views.py, forms.py, etc.

2. Indent One Space

usernamehw.indent-one-space

  • Offers fine-grained control over indentation size and behavior.
  • Useful when switching between Python (4 spaces) and HTML/Django templates (2 spaces).

Recommended Settings

Add these to your VS Code settings.json for optimal Django development:

{
    "python.linting.pylintEnabled": true,
    "python.linting.enabled": true,
    "python.formatting.provider": "autopep8",
    "python.languageServer": "Pylance",
    "emmet.includeLanguages": {
        "django-html": "html"
    },
    "[django-html]": {
        "editor.quickSuggestions": {
            "other": true,
            "comments": false,
            "strings": true
        }
    },
    "files.associations": {
        "**/templates/**/*.html": "django-html",
        "**/templates/*.html": "django-html",
        "**/static/**/*.html": "html"
    }
}

 

or

Settings.json

{
    "workbench.iconTheme": "vscode-icons",
    "terminal.integrated.defaultProfile.windows": "Command Prompt",
    "[django-html]": {
    



        "editor.quickSuggestions": {
            "other": true,
            "comments": true,
            "strings": true
        }
    },
    "[html]": {
        "editor.quickSuggestions": {
            "other": true,
            "comments": true,
            "strings": true
        }
    },
    "files.associations": {
        "*.html": "django-html"
    },
    "emmet.includeLanguages": {
        "django-html": "html"
    },
    "terminal.integrated.enableMultiLinePasteWarning": "never",
    "explorer.confirmDelete": false,
    "vsicons.dontShowNewVersionMessage": true
}

Installation

You can install all these extensions at once by running this command in VS Code’s command palette (Ctrl+Shift+P):

code --install-extension ms-python.python --install-extension batisteo.vscode-django --install-extension bibhasdn.django-snippets --install-extension bibhasdn.django-html --install-extension formulahendry.auto-close-tag --install-extension formulahendry.auto-complete-tag --install-extension formulahendry.auto-rename-tag --install-extension vincaslt.highlight-matching-tag --install-extension GitHub.copilot --install-extension VisualStudioExptTeam.vscodeintellicode --install-extension VisualStudioExptTeam.intellicode-api-usage-examples --install-extension esbenp.prettier-vscode --install-extension KevinRose.vsc-python-indent --install-extension vscode-icons-team.vscode-icons --install-extension usernamehw.indent-one-space

This setup will give you a powerful Django development environment with all the tools you need for efficient coding, debugging, and template editing.

Here are all the extensions with their direct VS Code Marketplace links for easy installation:

Core Django & Python Extensions

  1. Python - Official Python support
  2. Django - Django template support
  3. Django Snippets - Common Django patterns
  4. Django Template - Enhanced template support

HTML/Template Helpers

  1. Auto Close Tag
  2. Auto Complete Tag
  3. Auto Rename Tag
  4. Highlight Matching Tag

AI & Productivity

  1. GitHub Copilot
  2. IntelliCode
  3. IntelliCode API Examples

Code Quality

  1. Prettier
  2. Python Indent

Visual Helpers

  1. vscode-icons
  2. Indent One Space

Bonus Django Helpers

  1. Django Template Formatter - Formats Django templates
  2. SQLTools - Database management

To install any extension:

  1. Click the link
  2. Click "Install" on the marketplace page
  3. It will automatically open in VS Code

For bulk installation, you can paste this in your terminal:

code --install-extension ms-python.python --install-extension batisteo.vscode-django --install-extension bibhasdn.django-snippets --install-extension bibhasdn.django-html --install-extension formulahendry.auto-close-tag --install-extension formulahendry.auto-complete-tag --install-extension formulahendry.auto-rename-tag --install-extension vincaslt.highlight-matching-tag --install-extension GitHub.copilot --install-extension VisualStudioExptTeam.vscodeintellicode --install-extension VisualStudioExptTeam.intellicode-api-usage-examples --install-extension esbenp.prettier-vscode --install-extension KevinRose.vsc-python-indent --install-extension vscode-icons-team.vscode-icons --install-extension usernamehw.indent-one-space

code –install-extension ms-python.python –install-extension batisteo.vscode-django –install-extension bibhasdn.django-snippets –install-extension bibhasdn.django-html –install-extension formulahendry.auto-close-tag –install-extension formulahendry.auto-complete-tag –install-extension formulahendry.auto-rename-tag –install-extension vincaslt.highlight-matching-tag –install-extension GitHub.copilot –install-extension VisualStudioExptTeam.vscodeintellicode –install-extension VisualStudioExptTeam.intellicode-api-usage-examples –install-extension esbenp.prettier-vscode –install-extension KevinRose.vsc-python-indent –install-extension vscode-icons-team.vscode-icons –install-extension usernamehw.indent-one-space

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