Mouse Shortcuts Every Developer Should Know

Learn the most useful mouse shortcuts for faster coding, browsing, and navigating. Simple tips to boost your workflow with just a few clicks.

2 min

Posted by :Sujal

Published onMay 13, 2025

Mouse shortcuts can save you a lot of time while coding, browsing, or switching between apps. Here’s a simple list of helpful tips every developer should use daily.

General Mouse Tips (Windows / Mac)

Action	Shortcut / Behavior
Select a word	`Double-click`
Select a line/paragraph	`Triple-click`
Select multiple lines	`Click and drag`
Zoom in/out	`Ctrl + Scroll`
Show context menu	`Right-click`
Open link in new tab	`Middle-click` (mouse wheel)
Close tab in browser	`Middle-click` on tab

Mouse Shortcuts for Browsers

Action	Shortcut / Behavior
Go back	`Back button` on mouse (side button)
Go forward	`Forward button` on mouse (side button)
Open link in new tab	`Right-click` + "Open in new tab"
Move tab to new window	`Drag` tab out of browser window
Reorder tabs	`Click and drag` tab left/right
Scroll without clicking	`Hover + Scroll`

Mouse Shortcuts in Code Editors (e.g., VS Code)

Action	Shortcut / Behavior
Select entire line	`Click` on line number
Add new cursor (multi-cursor edit)	`Alt + Click`
Select multiple lines	`Click + Drag`
Go to definition	`Ctrl + Click` on function or file
File/folder options	`Right-click` on file or folder
Close file tab	`Middle-click` on tab
Reorder or split tabs	`Drag` file tabs
Navigate large files	`Click + Scroll` in minimap

Mouse Tips for Design & UI Tools

Action	Shortcut / Behavior
Snap to straight lines	Hold `Shift` while dragging
Duplicate objects	`Alt + Drag`
Zoom or pan canvas	Scroll while hovering or `Middle-click + Drag`
Show layer/options menu	`Right-click` object

Final Tips

Use a mouse with side buttons or extra features, it can boost productivity.
Combine mouse and keyboard shortcuts for maximum efficiency.
Test out 2 – 3 new shortcuts at a time until they become natural.

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