How to Change the Theme in VS Code Terminal

Changing the visual appearance of your VS Code terminal is typically done by selecting a different Color Theme for the entire VS Code interface. The terminal's colors are part of the overall VS Code Color Theme.

As stated in the reference, a Color Theme affects both the VS Code user interface elements and the editor highlighting colors. This includes the colors used within the integrated terminal.

Here are the two main ways to change your VS Code theme and, consequently, your terminal's theme:

Methods to Change Your VS Code Theme

You can easily switch between different installed themes using either the VS Code menu or the Command Palette.

Method 1: Using the Menu

This is a straightforward way to access the theme selection interface.

Select the File menu: Go to the top menu bar.
Choose Preferences: Click on File > Preferences.
Select Theme: From the Preferences submenu, choose Theme.
Select Color Theme: Finally, click on Color Theme.

This action will open a list of available Color Themes at the top of your VS Code window. You can navigate through them using the arrow keys to preview how each theme looks in real-time, including how it affects your terminal.

Method 2: Using the Command Palette

The Command Palette provides a quick way to access many VS Code commands, including theme selection.

Open the Command Palette: Use the shortcut Ctrl+K Ctrl+T. This is a two-step shortcut: press Ctrl+K, release, then press Ctrl+T. Note: On macOS, the shortcut is Cmd+K Cmd+T.
Select Preferences: Color Theme: This command will immediately display the Color Theme picker list at the top of the window.

Just like using the menu, you can now browse the list of themes. Selecting a theme from this list will apply it instantly to your VS Code window, affecting your editor, UI elements, and the integrated terminal.

What Changing the Color Theme Affects

By changing the Color Theme, you are customizing the visual style of various parts of VS Code. As mentioned in the reference, this impacts:

User Interface Elements: The colors of panels, sidebars, status bar, title bar, and crucially, the integrated terminal.
Editor Highlighting: The colors used for syntax highlighting in your code files (keywords, strings, comments, etc.).

Therefore, changing the Color Theme is the standard method for changing the theme (colors) of your VS Code terminal.

Practical Tips for Choosing a Theme

Preview: Use the up and down arrow keys when the theme picker is open to quickly preview how different themes look before making a final selection.
Install More Themes: If you don't find a theme you like, you can install additional themes from the VS Code Marketplace. Simply search for "theme" in the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X or Cmd+Shift+X) and install one that catches your eye. New themes you install will automatically appear in the Color Theme picker.

By following these steps, you can easily personalize the look and feel of your VS Code environment, including your terminal, to suit your preferences.