A common need is to write console.log(`${VAR}`) statements while coding JavaScript/TypeScript. Ideally one could highlight the variable and use a shortcut. I went searching for a quick method to do this on IntelliJ IDEA. There is a built-in postfix code completion and live templates. It took me a while to find the details.

Relevant question/answers on SO: https://stackoverflow.com/a/52429534/123378

Using Built-in Postfix code completion

// example1
my_var.log + <Tab> => console.log(my_var);

// example2: string
'hello'.log + <Tab> => console.log('hello');

// example3: string and variable
'hello', my_var.log + <Tab> => console.log('hello', my_var);

Custom Live Template

Added ll trigger with:

console.log($SELECTION$, '$SELECTION$')$END$

Custom Postfix

Replaced existing $EXPR$.log (log):

console.log($EXPR$)

with

console.log('$EXPR$', $EXPR$)

IntelliJ IDEA Docs

• Postfix code completion
• Live Templates
  • Live Template Variables

Additional Research

• Plugin: Super Console Log (Source)

  • Doesn’t show up in plugin marketplace.

• Plugin: Console Log ()Source)

  • Reviews indicate only partially works

• Visual Code Plugin: Turbo Console Log

• Live Templates

  • Example 1 on Medium, by Aiko Klostermann
  • Example 2, on SO