How can I clear the terminal in Visual Studio Code?

Clearing the terminal in Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is relatively straightforward, with several methods available:

1. Using Keyboard Shortcuts

VS Code provides convenient keyboard shortcuts to clear the terminal. On Windows, use Ctrl+K to clear the terminal. On Mac, the shortcut is typically Cmd+K. This is the quickest method, ideal for quickly clearing the terminal during rapid development.

2. Using the Command Palette

In addition to keyboard shortcuts, you can use VS Code's Command Palette:

• Press F1 or Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows) / Cmd+Shift+P (Mac) to open the Command Palette.
• Type Terminal: Clear and select the Terminal: Clear command to clear the terminal.

This method is intuitive and allows you to quickly execute the action even if you forget the keyboard shortcut.

3. Using the Right-Click Menu

Inside the terminal, right-clicking opens a context menu that typically includes 'Clear' or 'Clear Screen' options. Clicking one will clear the current terminal content.

Practical Application Example

During daily development, especially when handling large volumes of log output or conducting extended script testing, the terminal can quickly become cluttered with information. Clearing the terminal helps you focus on the latest logs or error messages. For example, when developing a Node.js application and testing APIs, I frequently use Ctrl+K to clear old server logs to focus on new output.

Summary

Clearing the terminal in VS Code is a common need that can be easily achieved through keyboard shortcuts, the Command Palette, or the right-click menu. This helps developers maintain a clean workspace and improve development efficiency. During development, choose the method that best suits your personal preferences.