Customize Visual Studio Code Settings and Themes | Complete Guide !

Customize Visual Studio Code Settings and Themes | Complete Guide !

Summary

Want to make Visual Studio Code look and feel just right for your workflow? This post walks you through customizing themes, fonts, layout settings, and editing the powerful settings.json file. With easy-to-follow steps, even beginners can personalize their workspace in minutes. These changes not only improve the look but also help you focus and work faster. Whether you're coding at night or during the day, you’ll find the right settings to match your style. The detailed blog post on the same is as follows.

Introduction

Do you want to make Visual Studio Code look and work just the way you like? Whether you're coding during the day or burning the midnight oil, customizing VS Code can help you work more comfortably and efficiently. In this post, you'll learn how to change themes, adjust font sizes, tweak layout settings, and use the powerful settings.json file. Customization not only enhances productivity but also creates a workspace that suits your style.

How to Change Themes in VS Code

Using Pre-installed Themes

VS Code comes with several built-in color themes. To change a theme:

1. Go to the top menu and click on View > Command Palette or press Ctrl+Shift+P.
2. Type Color Theme and select Preferences: Color Theme.
3. Scroll through the list and click on a theme to preview and apply it instantly.

Installing New Themes

You can install more themes through the Extensions Marketplace:

1. Click on the Extensions icon from the Activity Bar on the left.
2. Search for popular themes like Dracula Official, One Dark Pro, or Material Theme.
3. Click Install and switch to it using the Command Palette.

Changing Font and Text Settings

Font size and family can be customized easily:

1. Go to File > Preferences > Settings or press Ctrl+,.
2. Search for Font Size and update it to your desired value (e.g., 16).
3. You can also change the Font Family to something like Fira Code for better readability.

To enable font ligatures (special characters for symbols), just search for "ligatures" in settings and enable it if your font supports it.

Editor Layout and UI Customizations

Split Editor and Grid Layout

You can open files side by side using the split editor view:

1. Right-click a file tab and select Split Right or use Ctrl+\\.
2. Drag and drop tabs to rearrange them.

Changing Tab Sizes and Word Wrap

• Use Editor: Tab Size to set tabs (2 or 4 spaces).
• Enable Word Wrap to prevent long lines from overflowing the screen.

Advanced Customization with settings.json

For more control, you can edit the settings.json file directly:

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+P, then type Preferences: Open Settings (JSON).
2. This will open your settings.json file where you can add custom configuration options like:

Editing this file gives you full control over VS Code’s behavior and appearance.

Conclusion

Customizing Visual Studio Code allows you to build a personalized coding environment that fits your preferences. From changing color themes and fonts to editing the settings.json file, VS Code gives you complete flexibility. This not only improves readability and comfort but also boosts your daily productivity. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, spending a few minutes to fine-tune your editor can go a long way.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I reset all settings in VS Code?

Open Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P), type Preferences: Open Settings (JSON), and remove or edit custom entries. You can also clear the User folder to reset everything.

Can I export and import my VS Code settings?

Yes, use the Settings Sync feature. Sign in with your GitHub or Microsoft account and enable sync from the gear icon at the bottom left.

Is it safe to use third-party themes from the extension marketplace?

Yes, but make sure to install themes from trusted publishers and check user reviews before installing.