VS Code Zen Mode: A Minimalist Configuration

# VS Code Zen Mode

While Neovim is my go-to for quick edits and terminal-heavy workflows, **VS Code** remains indispensable for complex projects and debugging. However, out of the box, VS Code can feel cluttered. My configuration strips away the noise to create a "Zen" coding environment.

The Visual Aesthetic

To achieve a cohesive look with my system (Hyprland) and Neovim, I use the **GitHub Dark Default** theme. But I didn't stop there—I aggressively hid UI elements to focus purely on the code.

Settings Breakdown

In my `settings.json`, you'll see I've disabled almost every non-essential visual element:

```json

// settings.json

{

"workbench.colorTheme": "GitHub Dark Default",

"workbench.iconTheme": "symbols",

"workbench.productIconTheme": "fluent-icons",

"editor.fontFamily": "'JetBrainsMono Nerd Font'",

"editor.fontSize": 16,

// Hiding the clutter

"workbench.activityBar.location": "hidden",

"editor.minimap.enabled": false,

"editor.scrollbar.horizontal": "hidden",

"editor.scrollbar.vertical": "hidden",

"workbench.editor.showTabs": "single",

"window.menuBarVisibility": "toggle",

"window.titleBarStyle": "native"

}

```

This setup removes the activity bar, scrollbars, and minimap, forcing you to rely on keyboard navigation—just like in Vim.

The Secret Sauce: Custom CSS

To take customization further, I use the **Custom CSS and JS Loader** extension. This allows me to inject a `Style.css` file that fine-tunes the UI beyond what standard settings allow.

```json

"vscode_custom_css.imports": [

"file:///home/abdeldjalile-lafkir/.config/vscode-costume-settings/Style.css"

]

```

Workflow & Keybindings

Since the UI is hidden, efficient keybindings are critical. I've customized `keybindings.json` to keep my hands on the keyboard.

- **Terminal Toggling:** `Ctrl + ;` (No need to click the bottom panel)

- **Settings:** `Ctrl + '`

- **Copilot Chat:** `Ctrl + i` (Instant access to AI assistance)

- **Activity Bar:** `Ctrl + q` (Toggle visibility only when needed)

- **Split Navigation:** `Ctrl + Shift + J/K` (Mimicking Vim's HJKL directionality)

Language Specifics

I rely on specific formatters to keep code clean automatically (`"editor.formatOnSave": true`):

- **Python**: Uses the **Black** formatter with a line length of 120.

- **LaTeX**: I use **LaTeX Workshop** configured with `xelatex` for high-quality PDF output, auto-building on save.

- **C++**: Standard `cpptools` integration.

Conclusion

By hiding the activity bar and relying on command palettes and shortcuts, VS Code feels much faster and lighter. It serves as the perfect GUI counterpart to my terminal-based Neovim setup.

Check out the full configuration in my [dotfiles](https://github.com/abdeldjalile-lafkir/.config/tree/master/Code/User).