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For developers who prefer terminal efficiency but want to stay within their code editor, the new vscode-gitui extension bridges the gap. This integration embeds GitUI—the popular terminal UI for Git known for its speed and keyboard-centric design—directly into Visual Studio Code's terminal pane, creating a frictionless version control experience.

Why Terminal Git in an IDE?

While VSCode has built-in Git capabilities, many power users prefer terminal-based tools like GitUI for their responsiveness and advanced workflows. This extension eliminates context switching by letting developers run Git operations through GitUI's optimized interface while maintaining access to VSCode's editing environment. As one developer noted, GitUI outperforms graphical Git clients in speed, making it ideal for large repositories.

Setup and Execution

Installation requires:
1. GitUI installed globally on your PATH
2. The extension via VSCode Marketplace or GitHub Releases

Once configured, launch GitUI with:

Ctrl+Alt+G (Windows/Linux)
Ctrl+Cmd+G (macOS)
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GitUI running inside VSCode's terminal (Source: extension repository)

Advanced Configuration

  • VSCodeVim Users: Map commands to sequences like space + g + g for ergonomic access
  • Windows/WSL: Enable vscode-gitui.useWSL for seamless WSL integration
  • Reloading: Execute vscode-gitui.reload if GitUI's path changes

The Efficiency Payoff

By eliminating window/tab switching, this extension shaves seconds off frequent Git operations—a meaningful gain during intensive development sessions. The keyboard-first approach also complements VSCode's command palette workflow, making it a natural fit for developers already proficient in terminal-based Git management.

As IDE-terminal integrations mature, tools like vscode-gitui demonstrate how editors can embrace CLI tools without sacrificing convenience. For GitUI enthusiasts, this extension delivers the best of both worlds: terminal power without leaving the editor's ecosystem.