How do you close a workspace in VS Code?

To close a workspace in VS Code, you can use either the File menu or a keyboard shortcut, depending on whether you have a single folder or a multi-root workspace open. The most straightforward method involves navigating to the File menu and selecting the appropriate close option.

Closing the Current Workspace (Folder or Multi-root)

Visual Studio Code offers a simple way to close your current working environment, whether it's a single project folder or a more complex multi-root workspace.

Method 1: Using the File Menu

This is the most intuitive method and changes slightly based on what you have open.

• For Single-Folder Workspaces: If you have opened a single project folder, you can close it by going to the top menu bar. Simply click on File and then scroll down to select Close Folder. This action will remove the currently open folder from your VS Code window, leaving you with an empty editor.
• For Multi-root Workspaces: If you have opened a multi-root workspace (typically identified by a .code-workspace file), the option in the File menu will be Close Workspace. Selecting this will close all folders associated with that specific multi-root configuration.

Method 2: Keyboard Shortcut

For a quicker approach, VS Code provides a convenient keyboard shortcut that works for both single-folder and multi-root workspaces.

• Press Ctrl+K F (on Windows/Linux) or Cmd+K F (on macOS).
  • This shortcut is a sequence: press Ctrl/Cmd+K first, then release K and press F.
  • This action effectively closes the currently open folder or multi-root workspace, clearing your editor window.

Understanding VS Code Workspaces

VS Code uses the term "workspace" to describe how it organizes your development environment. Understanding the distinction between single-folder and multi-root workspaces helps in managing your projects efficiently.

Single-Folder Workspaces

When you open a directory using File > Open Folder..., VS Code treats that directory as a single-folder workspace. All operations, such as search, debugging, and extensions, are scoped to this folder. This is the most common setup for many projects.

Multi-root Workspaces

For larger projects that involve multiple distinct but related folders, VS Code supports multi-root workspaces. These are defined by a .code-workspace file that lists several folders to be opened in a single VS Code instance. This allows you to work across different codebases or components simultaneously, maintaining a unified context.

Summary of Workspace Closing Methods

Method	Description	Applies To
File > Close Folder	Navigate to the File menu and select "Close Folder."	Single-Folder Workspaces
File > Close Workspace	Navigate to the File menu and select "Close Workspace."	Multi-root Workspaces
Ctrl+K F (Win/Lin) / Cmd+K F (macOS)	Keyboard shortcut for quickly closing the active workspace (press Ctrl/Cmd+K then F).	Both Single-Folder & Multi-root

Practical Tips for Workspace Management

• Save Your Changes: Always ensure you've saved any unsaved files before closing a workspace. VS Code will usually prompt you if there are unsaved changes, preventing accidental data loss.
• Reopening Recent Workspaces: If you need to quickly get back to a project, VS Code keeps a list of your recently opened workspaces and folders. You can access these via File > Open Recent.
• Clearing Recent History: To remove a project from your "Open Recent" list, you can select File > Open Recent > Clear Recently Opened.