Search configuration carefully before replacing values

01Write down the intended change

The same configuration word can appear in active settings, examples, documentation and generated output. Identical text does not necessarily serve the same purpose.

State the intended behavior before searching. You may want to update a sample without changing a production default. VS Code provides search and replacement tools, but the project context determines which matches belong to your edit. A large result list should not silently expand the task.

02Read and classify the matches

1. Use a disposable workspace or a change you already understand. Inspect result paths, then read representative matches in their surrounding text.
2. Separate active configuration, tests, documentation and generated material. Narrow a broad query by path, wording or search settings before replacing anything. Keep note of intentional exclusions. This makes it possible to explain why two matching strings may need different treatment, instead of assuming every result should be changed.

03Review the edit and its effect

Once the scope is clear, use a preview or make a small edit. Inspect the diff and run the checks that establish the new configuration works.

Search can miss ignored, external or dynamically constructed values. It is not a complete system audit. For code identifiers, language-aware refactoring may fit better than text replacement. The shortcut opens the tool; deciding what the matches mean and verifying the change remain separate work.