How to color VS Code tabs

Brahim Rezzag
3 min readJul 14, 2023

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How to set a color to your tabs on vs code

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) has become the go-to code editor for millions of developers worldwide. Its vast array of extensions has significantly contributed to its popularity. Today, we will explore a remarkable extension that takes customization to a new level — the Tabs Color extension . This powerful tool enables users to color tabs in VS Code either by using the right click menu or by different criteria, such as folder/file names, or file types (extension names). Let’s delve into the details and discover how this extension can transform your coding environment.

  1. Getting Started with TabsColor: Upon installing the Tabs Color extension from the VS Code marketplace, you will be greeted with an array of features that can revolutionize the way you work. The color option will appear into your contextual menu when you right click on any tab.
  2. You can also target many files at once by going to the extension settings area and setting multiple rules to target specific files and color them automatically.
  3. you can choose from a range of pre-defined colors or create your own custom color. This option enables easy visual identification of specific files or important sections of your codebase, enhancing your productivity and reducing the time spent searching for files.
  4. Folder Name-Based Coloring: For those who work on large projects or multiple repositories simultaneously, organizing files and maintaining clarity can be challenging. With the Folder Name-based coloring feature of TabsColor, you can assign specific colors to tabs based on the folder name. This method provides a structured visual representation, allowing you to differentiate files based on their parent folders. It improves navigation efficiency, making it easier to switch between related files and modules.
  5. File Type-Based Coloring: Different file types often require distinct levels of attention or have varying degrees of importance within a project. TabsColor enables you to assign unique colors to file types, such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, and more. By colorizing tabs based on file types, you can instantly identify and focus on specific file categories. This enhances your workflow and prevents accidental mistakes, such as modifying critical configuration files.

How TabsColor was built

Visual Studio Code is known for its flexibility and extensive customization options. However, there are times when developers crave even more control over their coding environment. TabsColor is developed using a unique patching technique that grants users unparalleled freedom to customize VS Code’s tab templates. By breaking free from the limitations of traditional approaches, Tabscolor introduces a whole new realm of possibilities for tab colorization.

Conclusion

The TabsColor extension for VS Code brings a fresh perspective to the coding experience, allowing you to customize and colorize your tabs effortlessly. Whether you prefer a right-click approach, folder name-based coloring, or file type-based colorization, this extension offers versatile options to cater to your needs. By providing a visually enhanced coding environment, Tab Colorizer significantly boosts productivity and organization, making it a must-have tool for developers using VS Code.

Links

You can install the extension from here
You can access the code and contribute here

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