README.md

May 29, 2026 · View on GitHub


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Background

The most advanced background image extension for VSCode

Windows + Mac + Linux

Add multiple background images for the window, editors, sidebars, or the panel. Load backgrounds from file, glob, or URL. Transition between multiple background images.

editor background

Installation

Customize using the Background: Configuration command or press the Background button in the bottom right to access the configuration menu.

Install using the Background: Install command or press the Install button in the configuration menu to install the background.

Features

Multiple Backgrounds

Add background images for the whole window, editors, sidebars, or the panel. Transition between multiple background images.

Full Window

Editor, Sidebar, and Terminal

Slideshow

Configuration Menu

Use the Background: Configuration command or press the Background button in the bottom right to access the configuration menu.

Glob, URL, and Environment Variable Support

Add background images by file, folder, or URL. Supports glob and environment variables.

Commands

CommandDescription
Background: InstallInstalls and enables the background
Background: UninstallUninstalls and disables the background
Background: ReloadRandomizes the current background
Background: ConfigurationOpens the configuration menu
Background: ChangelogOpens the changelog

Configuration

Use the Background: Configuration command or press the Background button in the bottom right to access the configuration menu.

BackgroundDescription
Window BackgroundsThe list of files or globs to use for the window background image
Editor BackgroundsThe list of files or globs to use for editor background images
Sidebar BackgroundsThe list of files or globs to use for the sidebar background images
Panel BackgroundsThe list of files or globs to use for the panel background image
Style OptionDescription
AlignmentBackground alignment
Alignment ValueBackground alignment (CSS)
BlurBackground blur (CSS)
OpacityBackground opacity, 1 is fully visible and 0 is invisible
RepeatBackground repeat
SizeBackground size
Size ValueBackground size (CSS)
Change TimeHow often to change the background image in seconds, set to 0 to never change
Advanced OptionDescription
Auto InstallAutomatically install backgrounds on startup
Render Text Above BackgroundShow text, code, browser, and iframes on top of the background
Use Inverted OpacityUse an inverted opacity, so 0 is visible and 1 is invisible
Smooth Image RenderingUse smooth image rendering when resizing images instead of pixelated
Setting ScopeWhere to save background settings - Global or Workspace
CSSCustom CSS
APIToggles API access

Environment Variables

If the path is not working, add an additional / after the variable.

VariableDescription
${vscode:workspace}Current VSCode project folder
${vscode:user}VSCode user directory, either Code/User or data/user-data/User
${user:home}Current user's home directory
${...}System environment variable

 

API

Requires API setting to be turned on in the extension

Add this extension to your package.json.

{
    ...
    "extensionDependencies": [
        "katsute.code-background"
    ]
    ...
}

Access the api by using:

const background = vscode.extensions.getExtension("katsute.code-background").exports;
  • install(): void

    Runs the Background: Install command.

  • uninstall(): void

    Runs the Background: Uninstall command.

  • reload(): void

    Runs the Background: Reload command.

  • get(ui): string[]?

    • ui : Background to get from; either window, editor, sidebar, panel.

    Returns an array of globs for the specified background.

  • add(ui, glob): Promise<boolean>

    • ui : Background to add to; either window, editor, sidebar, panel.
    • glob: Glob to add.

    Returns true if successful.

  • replace(ui, old, glob): Promise<boolean>

    • ui : Background to replace from; either window, editor, sidebar, panel.
    • old: Glob to replace.
    • glob: Updated glob.

    Returns true if successful.

  • remove(ui, glob): Promise<boolean>

    • ui : Background to remove from; either window, editor, sidebar, panel.
    • glob: Glob to remove.

    Returns true if successful.

 

This extension is released under the GNU General Public License (GPL) v2.0.