VS Code VS i3

• Cross-platform
  VS Code works on Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing a consistent development experience across different operating systems.
• Extensibility
  A vast library of extensions allows users to add functionalities like debuggers, linters, and themes, making it highly customizable.
• Integrated Git
  Built-in Git integration makes it easy to manage version control tasks directly within the editor.
• Performance
  Lightweight compared to full-fledged IDEs, ensuring good performance even on systems with limited resources.
• IntelliSense
  Advanced code completion and refactoring tools help improve coding efficiency and reduce errors.
• Community Support
  A strong and active community provides extensive support, tutorials, and third-party extensions.
• Debugging
  Robust debugging tools for various languages and frameworks are available out of the box.
• Free and Open-Source
  VS Code is completely free to use and open-source, which is beneficial for both individual developers and organizations.

Possible disadvantages

• Limited IDE Features
  While extensible, it may lack some advanced features found in dedicated IDEs out of the box.
• Extension Management
  Managing and configuring a large number of extensions can become cumbersome and sometimes lead to performance issues.
• Learning Curve
  Although user-friendly, it has a steeper learning curve for beginners due to its numerous features and customization options.
• Memory Usage
  Despite being lightweight, it can consume a significant amount of memory when multiple extensions are installed.
• Update Frequency
  Frequent updates may sometimes introduce bugs or require users to adapt to new changes quickly.
• Internet Dependency
  Some features and extensions may require an internet connection to function optimally.
• Telemetry
  By default, VS Code collects usage data, which might be a concern for users sensitive about data privacy. However, this can be disabled.

• Efficient Window Management
  i3 allows for highly efficient window management using a tree data structure, making it easy to snap windows into grids and manage multiple applications simultaneously.
• Lightweight
  i3 is deliberately simplistic and lightweight, which allows it to run efficiently on older hardware or systems with limited resources.
• Customizability
  Users can extensively customize keybindings and behavior through a plain text configuration file. This allows for a personalized workflow.
• Keyboard-Centric
  i3 is designed to be used primarily through keyboard shortcuts, which can lead to increased productivity for advanced users.
• Scriptability
  i3 supports various scripting languages through its IPC (Inter-process Communication) interface, enabling automation of complex workflows.
• Community and Documentation
  i3 has strong community support and extensive documentation, making it easier for new users to learn and troubleshoot issues.

Possible disadvantages

• Steep Learning Curve
  New users may find i3 difficult to learn and configure, especially if they are accustomed to traditional desktop environments.
• Lack of GUI Configuration Tools
  i3 relies heavily on manual edits to text files for configuration, lacking user-friendly graphical interfaces for setup and customization.
• Limited Out-of-the-Box Features
  i3 does not come with many built-in features available in more comprehensive desktop environments, such as app launchers or system tray support, requiring additional setups.
• Compatibility Issues
  Some applications may not play well with tiling window managers like i3, requiring workarounds or alternative software choices.
• Minimal Default Appearance
  Without customization, i3 offers a very minimalistic and barebones visual experience, which may not be appealing to all users.

My New Favorite Text Editor - Visual Studio Code

More videos

30k Miles with the BMW i3 - End of Lease Review

More videos

• Choosing the Best SQL Server Tool in 2026
  www.linkedin.com · Aug 2026

  If you're a Windows DBA who mainly manages servers, SSMS is still hard to beat. SQL Server Data Tools makes the most sense for teams building database projects in Visual Studio, Visual Studio Code with the MSSQL...

• Boost Your Productivity with These Top Text Editors and IDEs
  convesio.com · Nov 2023

  Visual Studio Code, commonly known as VS Code, is a powerful and extensible code editor developed by Microsoft. With its rich ecosystem of extensions and features like IntelliSense, debugging, and Git integration, VS...

• 13 Best Text Editors to Speed up Your Workflow
  kinsta.com · Sep 2023

  Finally, the Visual Studio Code website has numerous tabs for you to learn about the software. The documentation page walks you through steps like the setup and working with different languages. You’re also able to...

View more

• Top 13 Best Tiling Window Managers For Linux In 2022
  www.hubtech.org · May 2022

  Sway is a tiling Wayland i3-compatible window manager that dynamically arranges app windows to rationally maximise desktop space. It is free, open-source, and lightweight. By default, it arranges windows in a grid and...

• Top 10 Best Desktop Environments in 2020
  www.journaldev.com · Jan 2021

  i3-wm is one of my most loved standalone window managers, qualifying it to easily fit under the desktop environment list! The configuration is just very easy, and you can change everything that you see on screen. This...

• 13 Best Tiling Window Managers for Linux
  www.tecmint.com · Jun 2020

  Sway is a free, open-source, and lightweight tiling Wayland i3-compatible window manager that automatically arranges app windows to logically maximize desktop space. It arranges windows into a grid by default and...

View more

• How to Install Python 3.14 on Mac and Set Up VS Code (2026 Beginner Guide)

  Download VS Code from code.visualstudio.com, unzip it, and drag it into Applications. Running it from the Downloads folder causes update problems later. - Source: dev.to / 7 days ago

• AI Coding Tips I Actually Use Every Day (Cursor + Angular)

  Coming from VS Code, the editor feels familiar, and I like having the AI features right there alongside my code. - Source: dev.to / 14 days ago

• A developer's guide to eSignature API integration

  A code editor. VS Code with the Python extension is a good default; any editor works. - Source: dev.to / 26 days ago

View more

• My journey to "I use arch btw"

  In my case, I decided to go with a compositor instead of desktop environment. I have already used others windows tilling managers such as i3wm. This time, I want something that has more features out-of-the-box. - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago

• Why I traded my custom "Opinionated Linux" for Omarchy

  I've been using Omarchy as my main setup since June 26, 2025, the day DHH released the first version. Before that I had my own custom Opinionated Linux, mclovin-ARCHived: an Arch + i3wm installer set up exactly the way I liked. It was... - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago

• Omarcacca

  Then few years back, in 2015, I got shown i3wm and used it on my ubuntu-netinstall until 2020, then I switched to Budgie and my personal laptop has been using that ever since. - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago

View more