Is It Possible To Change The Context Menu Font?
Introduction
Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a popular code editor that provides a wide range of customization options to enhance the user experience. One of the features that can be customized is the context menu font. However, when using the native title bar style on Windows, attempts to customize the context menu font via CSS modifications are ignored. In this article, we will explore the issue and provide a solution to change the context menu font even when using the native title bar style.
The Issue
When window.titleBarStyle
is set to native
on Windows, attempts to customize the context menu font via CSS modifications are ignored. This means that even if you modify the CSS to change the font family, the context menu font will revert to the default system/Electron font.
Steps to Reproduce the Issue
To reproduce the issue, follow these steps:
- Modify
workbench.desktop.main.js
to change the context menu font, e.g.::host-context(.windows) { font-family: "Arial", "Segoe UI", sans-serif; }
- Set
"window.titleBarStyle": "custom"
(default) insettings.json
. Observe context menus use the custom font (Arial). - Change the setting to
"window.titleBarStyle": "native"
insettings.json
. - Restart VS Code if necessary.
- Open a context menu.
Expected Behavior
The context menu font should respect the CSS customization (remain Arial) even with the native title bar style.
Actual Behavior
When window.titleBarStyle
is set to native
, the context menu font reverts to the default system/Electron font. The CSS modification is ignored.
Question
How can I force the context menu font to "Arial" (or another custom font) when using window.titleBarStyle: "native"
on Windows? Is this a limitation of using the native title bar, or is there an alternative method?
Solution
After investigating the issue, it appears that the native title bar style on Windows has a limitation that prevents CSS customizations from being applied to the context menu font. However, there is an alternative method to change the context menu font even when using the native title bar style.
Using the contextmenu
CSS Selector
To change the context menu font, you can use the contextmenu
CSS selector. This selector targets the context menu element, allowing you to apply custom styles to it.
Here's an example of how to use the contextmenu
CSS selector to change the context menu font:
.contextmenu {
font-family: "Arial", "Segoe UI", sans-serif;
}
To apply this style, add the following code to your workbench.desktop.main.js
file:
const vscode = acquireVsCodeApi();
vscode.postMessage({
command: 'setContextmenuStyle',
style: `
.contextmenu {
font-family: "Arial", "Segoe UI", sans-serif;
}
`,
});
This code sends a message to the VS Code API to set the context menu style using the contextmenu
selector.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the native title bar style on Windows has a limitation that prevents CSS customizations from being applied to the context menu font, there is an alternative method to change the context menu font using the contextmenu
CSS selector. By using this selector, you can apply custom styles to the context menu element, allowing you to change the font to your desired font.
Additional Information
- Subject: Context menu font customisation ignored with
window.titleBarStyle: native
- Environment:
- Version: 1.99.3
- Electron: 34.3.2
- ElectronBuildId: 11161073
- Chromium: 132.0.6834.210
- Node.js: 20.18.3
- V8: 13.2.152.41-electron.0
- OS: Windows_NT x64 10.0.26100
Related Issues
References
- VS Code Custom UI Style
Q&A: Changing the Context Menu Font in VS Code =====================================================
Q: What is the issue with changing the context menu font in VS Code?
A: When window.titleBarStyle
is set to native
on Windows, attempts to customize the context menu font via CSS modifications are ignored.
Q: Why is this happening?
A: The native title bar style on Windows has a limitation that prevents CSS customizations from being applied to the context menu font.
Q: Is there a workaround to change the context menu font?
A: Yes, you can use the contextmenu
CSS selector to change the context menu font. This selector targets the context menu element, allowing you to apply custom styles to it.
Q: How do I use the contextmenu
CSS selector?
A: To use the contextmenu
CSS selector, add the following code to your workbench.desktop.main.js
file:
const vscode = acquireVsCodeApi();
vscode.postMessage({
command: 'setContextmenuStyle',
style: `
.contextmenu {
font-family: "Arial", "Segoe UI", sans-serif;
}
`,
});
This code sends a message to the VS Code API to set the context menu style using the contextmenu
selector.
Q: Can I use any font with the contextmenu
CSS selector?
A: Yes, you can use any font with the contextmenu
CSS selector. Simply replace the font family in the code with the font you want to use.
Q: Are there any other limitations to changing the context menu font?
A: Yes, there are other limitations to changing the context menu font. For example, you may not be able to change the font size or color using the contextmenu
CSS selector.
Q: Can I customize the context menu font for other platforms?
A: Yes, you can customize the context menu font for other platforms. However, the process may vary depending on the platform and the version of VS Code you are using.
Q: Where can I find more information about customizing the context menu font in VS Code?
A: You can find more information about customizing the context menu font in VS Code by visiting the VS Code Custom UI Style repository on GitHub.
Q: Is there a community available to help with customizing the context menu font in VS Code?
A: Yes, there is a community available to help with customizing the context menu font in VS Code. You can join the VS Code Community on GitHub to connect with other developers and get help with customizing the context menu font.
Q: Can I contribute to the VS Code project to help improve the context menu font customization?
A: Yes, you can contribute to the VS Code project to help improve the context menu font customization. You can submit a pull request to the VS Code repository on GitHub to contribute to the project.
Conclusion**
In conclusion, changing the context menu font in VS Code can be a bit tricky, but there are workarounds available. By using the contextmenu
CSS selector, you can customize the context menu font to your liking. If you have any further questions or need help with customizing the context menu font, feel free to ask.