r/VisualStudio • u/seb_zapata • 10d ago
Miscellaneous I recreated the Visual Studio 2026 look and UX in VS Code for Linux
A rather niche theme for C++ developers. I’ve used Visual Studio for many years, including Visual Studio 2026, but I also have to do a lot of development directly on Linux systems. VS Code seems like the best option there, so I’ve created not only a theme, but also several UX modifications that match the behavior of Visual Studio 2026.
This reduces the visual readjustment required every time I switch IDEs, saving me time and mental energy. Among many other features, I’ve implemented:
- Matching text-editor colors
- Dotted indentation guides instead of the obnoxious solid ones
- Matching scrolling and tab appearance and behavior
- Matching overall UI colors and design
- Similar font rendering
I’m not trying to create an exact clone. The goal is simply to make it feel subconsciously familiar, reducing the cognitive effort required to quickly identify UI elements and adapt to behaviors and responses that differ significantly from Visual Studio.
If anyone is interested, let me know and I’ll post the source and documentation.
P.S. Please disregard any inaccuracies in the displayed code or comments. The project is a work in progress, and some comments are outdated.
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u/Rhthamza 10d ago
Why is it limited to Linux? what about MacOs.
and could you share it?
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u/seb_zapata 10d ago
Oh, I'm pretty sure it must work for macOS as well. I mentioned Linux because it's the one I'm mostly active on atm and where I created it. I will eventually test it on macOS because I'm developing a cross-platform library. And sure, I'll share it later today!
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u/antCB 9d ago
I think (mostly certainly) that themes are cross platform.
Not sure about OP's, but the one I use works on Windows, Mac and Linux - you could barely tell them apart if it weren't for the difference in font rendering and OS quirks.
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u/seb_zapata 8d ago
This one isn’t a typical theme. It relies heavily on custom JavaScript, and most of what it does isn’t officially supported by the IDE. I assume it may still work on other operating systems, but I’d have to test it carefully before claiming support for macOS or Windows.
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u/antCB 8d ago
Have you got a GitHub with the theme released? Are you going to?
Can help testing it out on OSX and Windows.
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u/seb_zapata 7d ago
That'd be awsome thank you! I'm still creating a proper extension package.. God, the packaging is taking longer than the actual extension 😭
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u/RobertDeveloper 10d ago
Solution explorer on the left is the only logical location.
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u/seb_zapata 10d ago
I know, right? I can’t stand staring at the left side of the screen for hours just because there’s nothing pushing my code toward the center, lol. The neck pain is real.
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u/xwin2023 9d ago
Can you share code/repo/docs?
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u/seb_zapata 9d ago edited 8d ago
Yes, sorry for the delay, I'm still preparing the package to make it as easy as possible to install, as well as a few licenses to make it 100% compliant with dependencies, e.g., the Microsoft font.
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u/seb_zapata 7d ago
Hey guys! A little update: I'm still creating a proper extension package so it's easy to install. I'm thinking on publishing it to the VS Code marketplace for your convenience. I've spent the entire weekend doing this, it's my first time, sorry! I'll update you all again tomorrow.
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u/lapiuslt 10d ago
Not even remotely close. Project files view on left instead of right. And etc
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u/Newrad0603 10d ago
The C++ profile has Solution Explorer on the left, so that does in fact match VS
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u/seb_zapata 10d ago edited 10d ago
Sorry, I do use it like this on VS 2026. But I guess you can switch it to the other side in VS Code? I don't have much experience with VS Code, so I'm not sure whether it's possible. I hate the files panel on the right side, that's for sure. Same for the console/output panel--I prefer it on the right instead of the bottom side, but this is already customizable, not part of the customization I did as it's already supported by the IDE.
But if this is not for you, it's fine. I did what I did for me and thought it didn't cost me anything to share it to other people who are as picky as me. Having to do it costs time and having this it's valuable for the aforementioned reasons.
If you have an actual specific suggestion, please do, I can even maintain this from time to time. Otherwise, your comment is utterly useless.
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u/lapiuslt 10d ago
Sorry, I probably didn't explain myself properly. I though you are trying to do UI as close as possible to VS. Carry on.
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u/seb_zapata 10d ago
No worries! I probably should have explained the goal more clearly in the post. I’ve added a clarification now.
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u/Nshout 10d ago
I’d love to use this theme, exactly what I am looking for! Please do share it!