Hotkey for resizing the VS Code sidebar

Question

Is there a way to resize the sidebar with a hotkey? For example, I currently have the "workbench.action.decreaseViewWidth" command bound to a key. But it appears that there is not a "workbench.action.decreaseSidebarWidth" command.

Answer 1

I have done this which works well for me. Add this to your "keybindings.json". I have Swedish keyboard layout, so you might need to change the "key" part.

{
    "command": "runCommands",
    "key": "alt+[ArrowLeft]", // whatever keybinding
    "args": {
      "commands": [
        // commands to run in sequence
        "workbench.files.action.focusSideBar",
        "workbench.action.decreaseViewSize"
      ]
    }
  },
  {
    "command": "runCommands",
    "key": "alt+[ArrowRight]", // whatever keybinding
    "args": {
      "commands": [
        // commands to run in sequence
        "workbench.files.action.focusSideBar",
        "workbench.action.increaseViewSize"
      ]
    }
  }

Answer 2

I've found the following to be a simple, successful mix of the previous answers. I've added additional instructions for those unfamiliar with keyboard shortcuts:

1. Open "Preferences: Open Keyboard Shortcuts (JSON)".

2. Add these entries to the JSON:

    {
        "key": "ctrl+alt+[ArrowLeft]",
        "command": "workbench.action.increaseViewSize"
    },
    {
        "key": "ctrl+alt+[ArrowRight]",
        "command": "workbench.action.decreaseViewSize"
    },
   

3. Save changes.

4. Press ctrl/control (^) and alt/option key (⎇) and left arrow (←).
   Verify sidebar decreases in size.

5. Press ctrl/control (^) and alt/option key (⎇) and right arrow (→).
   Verify sidebar increases in size.

If your primary sidebar is on the right, consider swapping the commands in the shortcuts you add.

✅ Benefits:

1. Allows editing via "Keyboard Shortcuts" interface.
   ^{(cuz it does not require runCommands)}
2. Uses intuitive ← and → keys.⚠️
   ^{(from https://stackoverflow.com/a/77051498/11817077)}
3. Does not overwrite macOS cursor navigation by word keyboard shortcut.⚠️

⚠️ Cons:

2. The ← and → keys may not be intuitive if your current view is not the left sidebar.
3. Might override another useful shortcut.