What is the shortcut for navigating breadcrumbs in VS Code?
Jul 28, 2025 am 12:08 AMIn VS Code, the default shortcut key for navigation breadcrumbs is Ctrl Shift\ (Windows/Linux) or Cmd Shift\ (macOS). Use this shortcut key to greatly improve the efficiency of jumping between code structures. After focusing on the breadcrumb bar through this shortcut key, you can use the left and right arrow keys to browse the path and press Enter to select specific items; combine outline view and custom settings to further optimize the navigation experience; but the effect may be limited in small files or multi-language environments; if the default shortcut key is inconvenient, you can search for "Preferences: Open Keyboard Shortcuts" through the command panel to modify the binding keys of "Focus into Breadcrumbs" to adapt to personal habits.
In VS Code, there's a handy shortcut for navigating breadcrumbs , which can help you jump between different parts of your code structure quickly. If you're already using breadcrumbs (the row of links just above the editor showing your current location in the file), knowing the right keyboard shortcuts can make navigation much smoother.

Default Shortcut for Breadcrumbs
The default shortcut to focus on the breadcrumb bar is:
- Windows/Linux :
Ctrl Shift \
- macOS :
Cmd Shift \
Once focused, you can use the arrow keys to move left or right through the breadcrumb trail and press Enter
to select a specific item.

How to Use Breadcrumbs Effectively
Breadcrumbs aren't just visual — they're interactive, especially when used with keyboard shortcuts. Here's how to get the most out of them:
- Quickly Jump Between Scopes : Instead of scrolling up and down a long file, use breadcrumbs to jump directly to a function, class, or block.
- Combine with Outline View : Breadcrumbs mirror the structure shown in the Outline panel. If you prefer keyboard navigation, breadcrumbs are faster than switching panels.
- Customize Settings if Needed : If breadcrumbs don't show by default, go to
File > Preferences > Settings
, search for "Breadcrumb", and enable them. You can also disable them here if they get in the way.
When Breadcrumbs Might Not Be Helpful
There are some cases where breadcrumbs won't be super useful:

- In small files with minimum structure
- If the language doesn't support symbol-based outlining
- When working in languages or frameworks that don't provide good symbol information
Still, it's worth trying them out — especially in large JavaScript, Python, or TypeScript files where hierarchy matters.
Customizing the Shortcut
If the default shortcut feels awkward, you can change it:
- Open the Command Palette:
- Windows/Linux :
Ctrl Shift P
- macOS :
Cmd Shift P
- Windows/Linux :
- Search for “Preferences: Open Keyboard Shortcuts”
- Look for the command named “Focus into Breadcrumbs”
- Click the edit icon and assign a new shortcut
This is especially useful if you're using a non-default keymap or have muscle memory from another editor.
So yes, the shortcut is simple, but knowing how and when to use breadcrumbs make it powerful. Once you start using it regularly, it becomes one of those subtle features that quietly boosts your coding speed.
Basically that's it.
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