


How to automatically switch VSCode theme between light and dark mode on Linux
Jul 04, 2025 am 12:36 AMUse GNOME's built-in dark mode setting to automatically switch VSCode theme by enabling Dark Mode in Settings > Appearance, ensuring VSCode uses "Default Light" or "Default Dark". 2. Create a script using gsettings and gnome-settings-daemon to detect GTK theme changes and switch VSCode themes accordingly, making the script executable and running it at startup or with real-time monitoring. 3. Install the "Auto Theme Switcher" extension in VSCode for automated theme switching based on system settings or custom time rules, configurable through VSCode settings without scripting. You can automate VSCode theme switching between light and dark mode on Linux via GNOME settings, custom scripts, or extensions like Auto Theme Switcher, each offering varying levels of control and ease of use.
Switching your VSCode theme automatically between light and dark mode on Linux can make your workflow more comfortable, especially if you switch environments or use night light settings. You don’t have to manually change the theme every time — with a few tweaks and tools, it’s totally doable.

1. Use GNOME's built-in dark mode setting (if you're on GNOME)
If you're using GNOME as your desktop environment, it supports automatic switching of application appearance based on system preferences.

- Go to Settings > Appearance.
- There should be an option for "Dark Mode" or similar.
- Enable the automatic schedule (if available) or toggle it manually.
VSCode respects the system preference by default, so once this is set up, your editor should follow suit.
Note: This works best when your VSCode theme is set to "Default Light" or "Default Dark", which adapt to the system setting.
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2. Sync VSCode theme with system-wide dark mode using gnome-settings-daemon
For more control, you can write a small script that detects the current GTK theme and switches VSCode accordingly.
Here’s how:
-
Install
gsettings
if not already installed:sudo apt install dconf-cli
Create a script like this:
#!/bin/bash THEME=$(gsettings get org.gnome.desktop.interface gtk-theme | tr -d "'") if [[ "$THEME" == *"dark"* ]]; then code --set-color-theme "Default Dark " else code --set-color-theme "Default Light " fi
Make it executable:
chmod x your-script.sh
Run this script at startup or hook it into a monitor like inotify
or dbus-monitor
to detect theme changes in real time.
3. Use extensions like "Auto Theme Switcher"
There are several extensions in the VSCode Marketplace that help automate this process.
One popular choice is Auto Theme Switcher, which lets you define different themes for day and night and can sync with system settings or custom time-based rules.
How to use:
- Install the extension from the Extensions tab.
- Open settings (
Ctrl ,
) and search for “auto theme”. - Set your preferred light and dark themes.
- Choose whether to sync with system appearance or use a time schedule.
This method is easier and doesn’t require scripting knowledge, though some features may depend on your desktop environment or OS support.
That’s basically it. Depending on your setup and comfort level with scripting, you can go from simple system-level syncing to full automation with dynamic detection. Either way, keeping your eyes comfortable shouldn’t be a hassle.
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