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VS Code Accessibility Reference

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Alex: Welcome back. This episode is a companion reference for VS Code accessibility. The main chapters help you get comfortable; this one is the place you come back to when you need the exact setting, shortcut, or screen reader behavior.

Jamie: So the goal is not to memorize every setting path. It is to know where to look when VS Code starts feeling noisy, quiet, confusing, or hard to navigate.

Alex: Exactly. The appendix supports the VS Code interface and accessibility chapters, and it points back to the official VS Code accessibility documentation as the source of truth. VS Code changes over time, so if a setting name shifts, the current docs and the Settings UI are the final check.

Jamie: And because this is a long reference, there are some practical ways to use it. Go to Line with Ctrl+G, Go to Symbol with Ctrl+Shift+O, jump between tables with T in browse mode, and use larger zoom or a high contrast theme before scanning dense tables. If your setup has the bookmark command on Ctrl+K Ctrl+K, bookmark the file so you can return quickly.

Appendix G: VS Code Accessibility Reference

Listen to Episode 30: VS Code Accessibility Reference - a conversational audio overview of this chapter. Listen before reading to preview the concepts, or after to reinforce what you learned.

Reference companion to: Chapter 11: VS Code Interface | Also relevant: Chapter 12

Authoritative source: VS Code Docs: Accessibility

Purpose: This appendix provides comprehensive technical documentation for all VS Code accessibility features, settings, and keyboard shortcuts. The main chapters cover essentials; this appendix is your complete reference manual.

Referenced by: VS Code Setup & Accessibility Basics, GitHub Copilot

Learning Cards: VS Code Accessibility Reference Overview

Screen reader users

This appendix is your lookup manual -- use Ctrl+G (Go to Line) or Ctrl+Shift+O (Go to Symbol) to jump directly to a setting name
Every table is structured with headers; use T in browse mode to jump between tables, then arrow through rows
Bookmark this file in VS Code (Ctrl+K Ctrl+K) so you can return instantly when you need a setting path

Low vision users

Increase editor font size (Ctrl+=) before scanning the long settings tables -- column values are easier to compare at larger sizes
Use the Minimap (if sighted enough) or breadcrumbs bar to orient within this large reference file
High-contrast themes make the table grid lines and code spans easier to distinguish from body text

Sighted users

The Table of Contents links jump directly to each section -- click any link to scroll there instantly
Use Ctrl+Shift+O to open the outline view and see all 7 sections as a navigable list
The settings tables use consistent columns (Setting Path, Values, Default, Description) -- scan the Default column to see what changes from your current setup

Complete Accessibility Settings Reference
Audio Cues - All Options
Accessible Diff Viewer - Complete Guide
Screen Reader-Specific Configurations
Complete Keyboard Shortcuts
Accessibility Signals Types and Customization
Settings.json Configuration Examples
VS Code 1.120 Chat, Agents Window, and Markdown Diff Updates

1. Complete Accessibility Settings Reference

All settings can be accessed via Settings UI (Ctrl+,) or by editing settings.json directly (Ctrl+Shift+P → "Open User Settings JSON").

Core Accessibility Settings

Setting Path	Values	Default	Description
`editor.accessibilitySupport`	`auto`, `on`, `off`	`auto`	Enables screen reader optimizations. `auto` detects NVDA/JAWS/VoiceOver. Set to `on` to force.
`editor.accessibilityPageSize`	number (lines)	`10`	Number of lines to read when using Page Up/Down in screen reader mode
`editor.guides.bracketPairs`	boolean	`false`	Shows bracket pair guides. Disable for screen readers (visual only).
`editor.guides.bracketPairsHorizontal`	boolean	`false`	Shows horizontal bracket guides. Disable for screen readers.
`editor.guides.highlightActiveBracketPair`	boolean	`true`	Highlights matching brackets. Not announced by screen readers.
`editor.guides.highlightActiveIndentation`	boolean	`true`	Highlights active indentation. Visual only.
`editor.guides.indentation`	boolean	`true`	Shows indentation guides. Not useful for screen readers.
`editor.hover.enabled`	boolean	`true`	Enables hover popups. Use `Alt+F2` (Accessible View) to read hover content.
`editor.minimap.enabled`	boolean	`true`	Shows visual minimap. Recommended: Set to `false` for screen readers.
`editor.occurrencesHighlight`	boolean	`true`	Highlights occurrences of selected text. Visual only.
`editor.renderWhitespace`	`none`, `boundary`, `selection`, `trailing`, `all`	`selection`	Shows whitespace characters. Recommended: `none` for screen readers.
`editor.wordWrap`	`off`, `on`, `wordWrapColumn`, `bounded`	`off`	Wraps long lines. Recommended: `on` for screen readers.
`workbench.editor.enablePreview`	boolean	`true`	Opens files in preview mode (single tab). Set to `false` to always open in new tab.

Diff and Merge Settings

Setting Path	Values	Default	Description
`diffEditor.codeLens`	boolean	`false`	Shows CodeLens in diff view. Visual only.
`diffEditor.diffAlgorithm`	`legacy`, `advanced`	`advanced`	Diff calculation method. `advanced` produces better hunks for screen readers.
`diffEditor.ignoreTrimWhitespace`	boolean	`true`	Ignores whitespace changes in diffs. Recommended: `true` to reduce noise.
`diffEditor.renderSideBySide`	boolean	`true`	Shows diffs side-by-side. Set to `false` for inline view (easier for screen readers).
`diffEditor.wordWrap`	`off`, `on`, `inherit`	`inherit`	Word wrap in diff view. `on` recommended for long lines.
`merge-conflict.decorators.enabled`	boolean	`true`	Shows merge conflict decorators. Use Accessible Diff instead (`F7`).

Terminal Settings

Setting Path	Values	Default	Description
`terminal.integrated.accessibleViewFocusesTerminal`	boolean	`true`	Returns focus to terminal after closing Accessible View.
`terminal.integrated.accessibleViewPreserveCursorPosition`	boolean	`false`	Preserves cursor position when opening Accessible View.
`terminal.integrated.enableBell`	boolean	`false`	Enables terminal bell sound. Recommended: `true` for audio feedback.
`terminal.integrated.screenReaderMode`	`auto`, `on`, `off`	`auto`	Optimizes terminal for screen readers.

Notification Settings

Setting Path	Values	Default	Description
`accessibility.verbosity.comments`	boolean	`true`	Announces comment threads in code.
`accessibility.verbosity.diff-editor`	boolean	`true`	Announces diff editor context.
`accessibility.verbosity.editor`	boolean	`true`	Announces editor operations.
`accessibility.verbosity.hover`	boolean	`true`	Announces hover content. Use `Alt+F2` for full reading.
`accessibility.verbosity.inline-chat`	boolean	`true`	Announces inline chat responses.
`accessibility.verbosity.inline-completions`	boolean	`true`	Announces Copilot suggestions.
`accessibility.verbosity.keybindings-editor`	boolean	`true`	Announces keybindings editor context.
`accessibility.verbosity.notebook`	boolean	`true`	Announces notebook cell operations.
`accessibility.verbosity.panel-chat`	boolean	`true`	Announces Copilot Chat panel responses.
`accessibility.verbosity.settings-editor`	boolean	`true`	Announces settings editor context.
`accessibility.verbosity.terminal`	boolean	`true`	Announces terminal operations.

2. Audio Cues - All Options

Audio cues provide non-verbal feedback through sound. Each cue can be configured independently.

Accessing Audio Cue Settings

Settings UI: Ctrl+, → search "audio cue"

Settings.json: Edit directly (see Section 7)

Audio Cue Values

Value	Behavior
`auto`	Play sound in screen reader mode only
`on`	Always play sound
`off`	Never play sound

Complete Accessibility Signals List

Setting	When It Plays	Recommended
`accessibility.signals.clear`	When clearing the terminal or output	`on`
`accessibility.signals.chatRequestSent`	When sending a Copilot Chat prompt	`on`
`accessibility.signals.chatResponsePending`	While Copilot is generating a response	`auto`
`accessibility.signals.chatResponseReceived`	When Copilot finishes responding	`on`
`accessibility.signals.debugBreakpoint`	When hitting a breakpoint in debugger	`on`
`accessibility.signals.diffLineDeleted`	When navigating over a deleted line in diff	`on`
`accessibility.signals.diffLineInserted`	When navigating over an added line in diff	`on`
`accessibility.signals.diffLineModified`	When navigating over a modified line in diff	`on`
`accessibility.signals.format`	When auto-formatting completes	`auto`
`accessibility.signals.lineHasBreakpoint`	When cursor is on a line with a breakpoint	`auto`
`accessibility.signals.lineHasError`	When cursor is on a line with an error	`on`
`accessibility.signals.lineHasFoldedArea`	When cursor is on a line with collapsed code	`auto`
`accessibility.signals.lineHasInlineSuggestion`	When an inline suggestion appears	`on`
`accessibility.signals.lineHasWarning`	When cursor is on a line with a warning	`auto`
`accessibility.signals.noInlayHints`	When inlay hints are not available	`off`
`accessibility.signals.notebookCellCompleted`	When a notebook cell finishes executing	`on`
`accessibility.signals.notebookCellFailed`	When a notebook cell fails	`on`
`accessibility.signals.onDebugBreak`	When debugger pauses execution	`on`
`accessibility.signals.save`	When saving a file	`auto`
`accessibility.signals.taskCompleted`	When a terminal task completes successfully	`on`
`accessibility.signals.taskFailed`	When a terminal task fails	`on`
`accessibility.signals.terminalBell`	When terminal bell rings	`on`
`accessibility.signals.terminalCommandFailed`	When a terminal command exits with error	`on`
`accessibility.signals.terminalQuickFix`	When a terminal quick fix is available	`auto`
`accessibility.signals.voiceRecordingStarted`	When voice input begins	`on`
`accessibility.signals.voiceRecordingStopped`	When voice input ends	`on`
`accessibility.signals.volume`	Volume level (0-100)	`70`

Customizing Signal Sounds

Advanced feature: You can replace default sounds with custom audio files.

Ctrl+Shift+P → "Preferences: Open User Settings (JSON)"
Add custom sound paths:

{
  "accessibility.signals.lineHasError.sound": "file:///C:/Users/YourName/sounds/error.wav",
  "accessibility.signals.taskCompleted.sound": "file:///C:/Users/YourName/sounds/success.wav",
  "accessibility.signals.diffLineInserted.sound": "file:///C:/Users/YourName/sounds/added.wav"
}

Sound file requirements

Format: WAV, MP3, or OGG
Duration: Keep under 2 seconds
Volume: Normalize to avoid clipping

3. Accessible Diff Viewer - Complete Guide

The Accessible Diff Viewer presents file diffs as a structured, line-by-line list instead of a visual side-by-side view.

When to Use Accessible Diff Viewer

Reviewing pull request changes
Resolving merge conflicts
Comparing file versions (Timeline view)
Reviewing Copilot-generated edits
Any time you need to understand what changed in a file

Opening Accessible Diff Viewer

Method	Steps
Keyboard (in diff editor)	Press `F7` to jump to first hunk, `Alt+F2` to open Accessible View
Command Palette	`Ctrl+Shift+P` → "Open Accessible Diff Viewer"
Automatic	Some contexts open it automatically in screen reader mode

Diff Viewer Structure

Top-level structure

Description

The Accessible Diff Viewer starts with a header showing the file path and change summary. It then shows each hunk (changed section) in order. Each hunk contains: the hunk location (line range), unchanged context lines, the modified, added, or removed lines with their prefix, and more context lines. After all hunks, a footer shows the totals for additions and deletions.

Line prefixes

Prefix	Meaning	Screen Reader Announcement
(no prefix)	Unchanged line (context)	"Unchanged: [line content]"
`+`	Added line	"Added: [line content]" or "Line added: [content]"
`-`	Removed line	"Removed: [line content]" or "Line removed: [content]"
`\|~`	Modified line (original)	"Modified from: [old content]"
`\|+`	Modified line (new version)	"Modified to: [new content]"

Navigating Hunks

Action	Keyboard
Jump to next hunk	`F7`
Jump to previous hunk	`Shift+F7`
Jump to next change	`F8` (in some contexts)
Jump to previous change	`Shift+F8`

NVDA/JAWS

Open diff: Enter on file in Source Control, or F7 in an open diff
Alt+F2 to open Accessible Diff Viewer
Navigate with Up/Down Arrow (line by line)
Use H key to jump between hunks (each hunk has a heading)
Escape to close and return to editor

VoiceOver

VO+Arrow to navigate to diff file → VO+Space to open
Option+F2 for Accessible Diff Viewer
VO+Arrow keys to navigate lines
VO+Command+H to jump between hunk headings
Escape to close

Understanding Context Lines

The diff shows 3 unchanged lines before and after each change for context. These are announced as "Unchanged: [content]".

Example

Hunk 1 of 3 - lines 42-48

  Unchanged: ## Screen Reader Setup
  Unchanged:
- Removed: This guide covers NVDA only.
+ Added: This guide covers NVDA, JAWS, and VoiceOver.
  Unchanged:
  Unchanged: ### Installing NVDA

The unchanged lines help you understand where in the file the change occurred.

Inline Diff View vs Side-by-Side

Inline view (recommended for screen readers)

All changes in a single editor
Removed lines followed by added lines
Easier to navigate with screen reader reading commands

Side-by-side view (default, visual)

Left panel: original file
Right panel: modified file
Requires navigating between panels

To switch to inline view

Open Settings: Ctrl+,
Search: "diffEditor.renderSideBySide"
Uncheck the box (or set to false in settings.json)

Learning Cards: Accessible Diff Viewer

Screen reader users

Press F7 in any diff editor to jump to the first changed hunk -- then F7 / Shift+F7 to move between hunks
Use Alt+F2 (Accessible View) to read the full diff in a structured, non-streaming pane with proper line prefixes
Switch to inline diff view (diffEditor.renderSideBySide: false) so all changes appear in one editor instead of two panels

Low vision users

Inline diff view places removed and added lines back-to-back with color-coded backgrounds -- increase font size for easier scanning
Enable accessibility.signals.diffLineInserted and diffLineDeleted for audio feedback as you arrow through changed lines
Zoom the diff editor independently with Ctrl+= if the surrounding UI is already at a comfortable size

Sighted users

Green-highlighted lines are additions; red-highlighted lines are deletions -- look for the + and - gutters on the left
Use the minimap sidebar to spot clusters of changes in a long diff without scrolling
Click the hunk arrows in the gutter to jump directly to the next block of changes

NVDA Configuration for VS Code

Recommended NVDA settings

Browse Mode settings:
- NVDA Menu → Preferences → Settings → Browse Mode
- "Maximum length of text on a single line": 10000
- "Automatic focus mode for focus changes": Checked
- "Automatic focus mode for caret movement": Unchecked
Object Presentation:
- "Report tooltips": Unchecked (reduces interruptions; use Alt+F2 instead)
- "Report notifications": Checked
- "Report object descriptions": Checked
Speech settings:
- "Punctuation/symbol level": Some or Most (for code reading)
- "Automatic language switching": Checked (useful for multilingual docs)
Input Composition:
- "Announce candidates during IME text composition": Checked

NVDA add-ons for VS Code

Focus Highlight - shows focus location visually (helpful for sighted trainers)
IndentNav - navigate by indentation level (useful for Python, YAML)

VS Code-specific NVDA commands

Action	NVDA Command
Read from cursor	`Insert+Down Arrow`
Read all	`Insert+Down Arrow` (twice)
Stop speech	`Control`
Say all in focus mode	`NVDA+Shift+Down Arrow`
Move to containing browse mode document	`NVDA+Control+Space`

JAWS Configuration for VS Code

Recommended JAWS settings

Settings Center → HTML/PDF/Accessibility:
- "Auto Forms Mode": Checked
- "ARIA Live Region Verbosity": Polite or Assertive (depending on preference)
- "Report tooltip text": Unchecked (use Alt+F2 instead)
Settings Center → Reading:
- "Punctuation Level": Most (for code)
- "Speak Long Lines Continuously": Yes
Settings Center → Text Processing:
- "Blank Line Announcement": Tone (less verbose than speech)

JAWS scripts for VS Code

Custom JAWS scripts exist for VS Code. Check: jaws-vscode-scripts (GitHub) for community-maintained scripts.

VS Code-specific JAWS commands

Action	JAWS Command
Say current line	`Insert+Up Arrow`
Read from cursor	`Insert+Page Down`
Read to end	`Insert+Page Down` (twice)
Toggle virtual cursor	`Insert+Z`
List links	`Insert+F7`
List headings	`Insert+F6`

VoiceOver Configuration for VS Code (macOS)

Recommended VoiceOver Utility settings

Verbosity → Text:
- "Punctuation": All (for code and Markdown)
- "Capitalization": Speak cap (useful for acronyms and code)
- "Reading Units": Set to sentenceboundary for prose, word for code
Verbosity → Announcements:
- "Content Changes": On (for live regions like Copilot Chat)
- "Status Messages": On
Navigation:
- "Quick Nav": OFF when inside editor (use Left+Right Arrow to toggle)
- "Auto-interact with elements": Off (manual control preferred)
Sound:
- "Enable positional audio": On (helps orient focus location)
- "Mute sound effects": Off (audio cues are helpful)

VS Code-specific VoiceOver commands

Action	VoiceOver Command
Read from cursor	`VO+A`
Read all	`VO+Shift+Down Arrow` (in text area)
Stop reading	`Control`
Interact with element	`VO+Shift+Down Arrow`
Stop interacting	`VO+Shift+Up Arrow`
Jump to heading	`VO+Command+H`
Open rotor	`VO+U`
Navigate rotor	`Left/Right Arrow`, then `Up/Down Arrow`

Command	Action
`H`	Next heading
`Shift+H`	Previous heading
`L`	Next link
`T`	Next table
`B`	Next button
`F`	Next form control

Note: Quick Nav should be OFF when editing text (conflicts with text navigation).

5. Complete Keyboard Shortcuts

For screen reader navigation shortcuts when using GitHub in a browser (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver), see Appendix B - Screen Reader Cheat Sheet.

Action	Windows/Linux	macOS
Command Palette	`Ctrl+Shift+P`	`Cmd+Shift+P`
Quick Open (Go to File)	`Ctrl+P`	`Cmd+P`
Settings	`Ctrl+,`	`Cmd+,`
Keyboard Shortcuts	`Ctrl+K Ctrl+S`	`Cmd+K Cmd+S`
Toggle Sidebar	`Ctrl+B`	`Cmd+B`
Toggle Panel (terminal/output)	`Ctrl+J`	`Cmd+J`
Toggle Full Screen	`F11`	`Ctrl+Cmd+F`
Zen Mode	`Ctrl+K Z`	`Cmd+K Z`
Close Window	`Ctrl+W`	`Cmd+W`
New Window	`Ctrl+Shift+N`	`Cmd+Shift+N`

Action	Windows/Linux	macOS
Explorer	`Ctrl+Shift+E`	`Cmd+Shift+E`
Search	`Ctrl+Shift+F`	`Cmd+Shift+F`
Source Control	`Ctrl+Shift+G`	`Cmd+Shift+G`
Run and Debug	`Ctrl+Shift+D`	`Cmd+Shift+D`
Extensions	`Ctrl+Shift+X`	`Cmd+Shift+X`

Editor - File Operations

Action	Windows/Linux	macOS
New File	`Ctrl+N`	`Cmd+N`
Open File	`Ctrl+O`	`Cmd+O`
Save	`Ctrl+S`	`Cmd+S`
Save As	`Ctrl+Shift+S`	`Cmd+Shift+S`
Save All	`Ctrl+K S`	`Cmd+Option+S`
Close Editor	`Ctrl+W`	`Cmd+W`
Close All Editors	`Ctrl+K W`	`Cmd+K W`
Reopen Closed Editor	`Ctrl+Shift+T`	`Cmd+Shift+T`
Switch Between Editors	`Ctrl+Tab`	`Ctrl+Tab`
Focus First Editor	`Ctrl+1`	`Cmd+1`
Focus Second Editor	`Ctrl+2`	`Cmd+2`
Split Editor	`Ctrl+\`	`Cmd+\`

Action	Windows/Linux	macOS
Go to Line	`Ctrl+G`	`Ctrl+G`
Go to Symbol	`Ctrl+Shift+O`	`Cmd+Shift+O`
Go to Definition	`F12`	`F12`
Peek Definition	`Alt+F12`	`Option+F12`
Go to References	`Shift+F12`	`Shift+F12`
Go Back (navigate history)	`Alt+Left`	`Ctrl+-`
Go Forward	`Alt+Right`	`Ctrl+Shift+-`
Scroll Up	`Ctrl+Up`	`Cmd+Up`
Scroll Down	`Ctrl+Down`	`Cmd+Down`
Move to Top of File	`Ctrl+Home`	`Cmd+Home` or `Cmd+Up`
Move to Bottom of File	`Ctrl+End`	`Cmd+End` or `Cmd+Down`
Move to Beginning of Line	`Home`	`Cmd+Left`
Move to End of Line	`End`	`Cmd+Right`
Expand Selection	`Shift+Alt+Right`	`Shift+Option+Right`
Shrink Selection	`Shift+Alt+Left`	`Shift+Option+Left`

Editor - Editing

Action	Windows/Linux	macOS
Cut Line	`Ctrl+X`	`Cmd+X`
Copy Line	`Ctrl+C`	`Cmd+C`
Paste	`Ctrl+V`	`Cmd+V`
Undo	`Ctrl+Z`	`Cmd+Z`
Redo	`Ctrl+Shift+Z` or `Ctrl+Y`	`Cmd+Shift+Z`
Delete Line	`Ctrl+Shift+K`	`Cmd+Shift+K`
Insert Line Below	`Ctrl+Enter`	`Cmd+Enter`
Insert Line Above	`Ctrl+Shift+Enter`	`Cmd+Shift+Enter`
Move Line Up	`Alt+Up`	`Option+Up`
Move Line Down	`Alt+Down`	`Option+Down`
Copy Line Up	`Shift+Alt+Up`	`Shift+Option+Up`
Copy Line Down	`Shift+Alt+Down`	`Shift+Option+Down`
Join Lines	`Ctrl+J`	`Cmd+J`
Toggle Line Comment	`Ctrl+/`	`Cmd+/`
Toggle Block Comment	`Shift+Alt+A`	`Shift+Option+A`
Format Document	`Shift+Alt+F`	`Shift+Option+F`
Format Selection	`Ctrl+K Ctrl+F`	`Cmd+K Cmd+F`

Editor - Find and Replace

Action	Windows/Linux	macOS
Find	`Ctrl+F`	`Cmd+F`
Replace	`Ctrl+H`	`Cmd+H`
Find Next	`F3` or `Enter`	`Cmd+G` or `Enter`
Find Previous	`Shift+F3`	`Cmd+Shift+G`
Select All Occurrences	`Ctrl+Shift+L`	`Cmd+Shift+L`
Add Selection to Next Find Match	`Ctrl+D`	`Cmd+D`
Toggle Match Case	`Alt+C`	`Option+C`
Toggle Whole Word	`Alt+W`	`Option+W`
Toggle Regex	`Alt+R`	`Option+R`

Editor - Multi-Cursor

Action	Windows/Linux	macOS
Add Cursor Above	`Ctrl+Alt+Up`	`Cmd+Option+Up`
Add Cursor Below	`Ctrl+Alt+Down`	`Cmd+Option+Down`
Add Cursor to Line Ends	`Shift+Alt+I`	`Shift+Option+I`
Undo Last Cursor Operation	`Ctrl+U`	`Cmd+U`

Terminal

Action	Windows/Linux	macOS
Toggle Terminal	`Ctrl+Backtick`	`Ctrl+Backtick`
Create New Terminal	`Ctrl+Shift+Backtick`	`Ctrl+Shift+Backtick`
Focus Terminal	`Ctrl+Backtick`	`Ctrl+Backtick`
Kill Terminal	`Ctrl+Shift+K` (in terminal)	`Cmd+Shift+K`
Scroll Up in Terminal	`Ctrl+Shift+Up`	`Cmd+Shift+Up`
Scroll Down in Terminal	`Ctrl+Shift+Down`	`Cmd+Shift+Down`

Source Control (Git)

Action	Windows/Linux	macOS
Open Source Control	`Ctrl+Shift+G`	`Cmd+Shift+G`
Commit (in message field)	`Ctrl+Enter`	`Cmd+Enter`
Stage File	`Ctrl+Enter` (on file)	`Cmd+Enter`
Refresh Source Control	`Ctrl+R` (in SC panel)	`Cmd+R`

Diff Viewer

Action	Windows/Linux	macOS
Next Diff Hunk	`F7`	`F7`
Previous Diff Hunk	`Shift+F7`	`Shift+F7`
Open Accessible Diff Viewer	`Alt+F2`	`Option+F2`

Copilot

Action	Windows/Linux	macOS
Accept Suggestion	`Tab`	`Tab`
Reject Suggestion	`Escape`	`Escape`
Accept Word	`Ctrl+Right`	`Cmd+Right`
Next Suggestion	`Alt+]`	`Option+]`
Previous Suggestion	`Alt+[`	`Option+[`
Open Suggestions List	`Ctrl+Enter`	`Cmd+Enter`
Open Suggestion in Accessible View	`Alt+F2`	`Option+F2`
Insert Suggestion from Accessible View	`Ctrl+/`	`Cmd+/`
Open Copilot Chat	`Ctrl+Alt+I` or Chat: Open Chat	Use Chat: Open Chat from the Command Palette if your keymap differs
Inline Chat	`Ctrl+I`	`Cmd+I`
Quick Chat	`Ctrl+Shift+Alt+I`	`Cmd+Shift+Ctrl+I`

Accessibility Features

Action	Windows/Linux	macOS
Toggle Screen Reader Mode	`Shift+Alt+F1`	`Shift+Option+F1`
Accessible Help	`Alt+H`	`Option+H`
Accessible View	`Alt+F2`	`Option+F2`
Announce Cursor Position	`Ctrl+Alt+Shift+G`	`Cmd+Option+Shift+G`
Open Accessibility Help	`Ctrl+Shift+P` → "Help: Accessibility Help"	Same

Problems Panel

Action	Windows/Linux	macOS
Show Problems	`Ctrl+Shift+M`	`Cmd+Shift+M`
Go to Next Error/Warning	`F8`	`F8`
Go to Previous Error/Warning	`Shift+F8`	`Shift+F8`

Markdown Preview

Action	Windows/Linux	macOS
Toggle Preview	`Ctrl+Shift+V`	`Cmd+Shift+V`
Open Preview to Side	`Ctrl+K V`	`Cmd+K V`

6. Accessibility Signals Types and Customization

Accessibility signals are events that trigger announcements or audio cues. Beyond audio cues, VS Code has verbal announcements for various events.

Announcement Verbosity Settings

Control how much information VS Code announces:

Setting	Values	Default	Controls
`accessibility.verbosity.chatQuestionCarousel`	`true`, `false`	`true`	ARIA hint in the Agent mode question carousel telling you about `Alt+T` (Focus Terminal)
`accessibility.verbosity.diffEditor`	`verbose`, `minimal`, `off`	`verbose`	Diff viewer context announcements
`accessibility.verbosity.editor`	`verbose`, `minimal`, `off`	`verbose`	General editor announcements
`accessibility.verbosity.hover`	`verbose`, `minimal`, `off`	`verbose`	Hover popup announcements
`accessibility.verbosity.inlineCompletions`	`verbose`, `minimal`, `off`	`verbose`	Copilot suggestion announcements
`accessibility.verbosity.keyboardShortcuts`	`true`, `false`	`true`	Screen reader navigation hint in the Keyboard Shortcuts search results
`accessibility.verbosity.terminal`	`verbose`, `minimal`, `off`	`verbose`	Terminal operation announcements

verbose: Announces full context and details
minimal: Announces only essential information
off: No automatic announcements (use Accessible View manually)

Custom Announcement Timing

Control when and how often announcements occur:

Setting	Values	Default	Description
`accessibility.signals.debouncePositionChanges`	number (ms)	`500`	Delay before announcing position changes (prevents spam during rapid navigation)
`accessibility.signals.onDidChangeFocus`	boolean	`true`	Announce focus changes
`accessibility.signals.onDidChangeModelContent`	boolean	`false`	Announce content changes (very verbose)

Signal Priorities

When multiple signals occur simultaneously, VS Code prioritizes them:

Errors (highest priority) - always announced
Warnings - announced after errors
Completions - announced if no errors/warnings
Focus changes - announced last

This prevents overlapping announcements.

Learning Cards: Accessibility Signals

Screen reader users

Start with auto for most signals -- they play only when screen reader mode is active, keeping things quiet otherwise
The lineHasError and taskFailed signals are the highest-value audio cues; enable these first
Use accessibility.signals.volume (0-100) to balance signal volume against your screen reader speech

Low vision users

Audio cues supplement visual indicators you might miss -- enable lineHasWarning and lineHasError for sounds on the current line
The save and format signals confirm file operations completed without needing to check the status bar visually
Pair audio cues with high-contrast gutter icons for a dual-channel (sight + sound) feedback loop

Sighted users

Audio cues can speed up your workflow even with full vision -- the taskCompleted chime saves you from watching terminal output
Search "accessibility.signals" in Settings UI to see all toggles in one filtered view with checkboxes
Custom sound files (WAV/MP3, under 2 seconds) can replace defaults if you want distinctive tones per event

7. Settings.json Configuration Examples

The configuration examples below are JSON blocks you paste into your settings.json file. To apply a complete set at once, consider using VS Code Profiles -- named configuration bundles that let you switch your entire setup instantly. See Chapter 11, Section 9: Profiles for how to create, switch, export, and share profiles.

For users who prefer minimal announcements and use Accessible View manually

{
  "editor.accessibilitySupport": "on",
  "editor.minimap.enabled": false,
  "editor.renderWhitespace": "none",
  "editor.wordWrap": "on",
  "diffEditor.renderSideBySide": false,
  "accessibility.verbosity.diffEditor": "minimal",
  "accessibility.verbosity.editor": "minimal",
  "accessibility.verbosity.hover": "minimal",
  "accessibility.verbosity.inlineCompletions": "minimal",
  "accessibility.signals.lineHasError": "on",
  "accessibility.signals.taskCompleted": "on",
  "accessibility.signals.taskFailed": "on"
}

Maximum Feedback Profile

For users who want all audio and verbal announcements

{
  "editor.accessibilitySupport": "on",
  "editor.minimap.enabled": false,
  "editor.renderWhitespace": "none",
  "editor.wordWrap": "on",
  "diffEditor.renderSideBySide": false,
  "accessibility.verbosity.diffEditor": "verbose",
  "accessibility.verbosity.editor": "verbose",
  "accessibility.verbosity.hover": "verbose",
  "accessibility.verbosity.inlineCompletions": "verbose",
  "accessibility.verbosity.terminal": "verbose",
  "accessibility.signals.lineHasError": "on",
  "accessibility.signals.lineHasWarning": "on",
  "accessibility.signals.taskCompleted": "on",
  "accessibility.signals.taskFailed": "on",
  "accessibility.signals.diffLineInserted": "on",
  "accessibility.signals.diffLineDeleted": "on",
  "accessibility.signals.chatResponseReceived": "on",
  "accessibility.signals.chatResponsePending": "on",
  "accessibility.signals.save": "on",
  "accessibility.signals.clear": "on",
  "accessibility.signals.format": "on",
  "accessibility.signals.terminalBell": "on",
  "accessibility.signals.terminalCommandFailed": "on",
  "terminal.integrated.enableBell": true
}

Copilot-Optimized Profile

For users working heavily with GitHub Copilot

{
  "editor.accessibilitySupport": "on",
  "editor.minimap.enabled": false,
  "editor.wordWrap": "on",
  "accessibility.verbosity.inlineCompletions": "minimal",
  "accessibility.verbosity.panelChat": "minimal",
  "accessibility.signals.lineHasInlineSuggestion": "on",
  "accessibility.signals.chatResponsePending": "on",
  "accessibility.signals.chatResponseReceived": "on",
  "accessibility.signals.chatRequestSent": "on",
  "github.copilot.enable": {
    "*": true,
    "yaml": true,
    "plaintext": false,
    "markdown": true
  }
}

Note: The github.copilot.enable object controls which file types get Copilot suggestions.

Git/Diff-Optimized Profile

For users doing heavy PR review and diff work

{
  "editor.accessibilitySupport": "on",
  "diffEditor.renderSideBySide": false,
  "diffEditor.ignoreTrimWhitespace": true,
  "diffEditor.wordWrap": "on",
  "diffEditor.diffAlgorithm": "advanced",
  "accessibility.verbosity.diffEditor": "verbose",
  "accessibility.signals.diffLineInserted": "on",
  "accessibility.signals.diffLineDeleted": "on",
  "accessibility.signals.diffLineModified": "on",
  "scm.diffDecorations": "gutter",
  "scm.diffDecorationsGutterWidth": 2
}

Performance-Optimized Profile

For users on slower machines or with large repositories

{
  "editor.accessibilitySupport": "on",
  "editor.minimap.enabled": false,
  "editor.renderWhitespace": "none",
  "editor.guides.indentation": false,
  "editor.guides.bracketPairs": false,
  "editor.occurrencesHighlight": false,
  "editor.selectionHighlight": false,
  "editor.hover.enabled": true,
  "editor.hover.delay": 1000,
  "files.exclude": {
    "**/.git": true,
    "**/.svn": true,
    "**/.hg": true,
    "**/CVS": true,
    "**/.DS_Store": true,
    "**/node_modules": true,
    "**/.vscode": false
  },
  "search.exclude": {
    "**/node_modules": true,
    "**/bower_components": true,
    "**/*.code-search": true
  }
}

Quick Copy: Complete Recommended Settings

Paste this into your `settings.json` for a balanced screen reader profile

{
  "editor.accessibilitySupport": "on",
  "editor.minimap.enabled": false,
  "editor.renderWhitespace": "none",
  "editor.wordWrap": "on",
  "diffEditor.renderSideBySide": false,
  "diffEditor.ignoreTrimWhitespace": true,
  "diffEditor.wordWrap": "on",
  "accessibility.verbosity.diffEditor": "verbose",
  "accessibility.verbosity.editor": "verbose",
  "accessibility.verbosity.hover": "verbose",
  "accessibility.verbosity.inlineCompletions": "minimal",
  "accessibility.verbosity.panelChat": "minimal",
  "accessibility.signals.lineHasError": "on",
  "accessibility.signals.lineHasWarning": "auto",
  "accessibility.signals.taskCompleted": "on",
  "accessibility.signals.taskFailed": "on",
  "accessibility.signals.diffLineInserted": "on",
  "accessibility.signals.diffLineDeleted": "on",
  "accessibility.signals.chatResponseReceived": "on",
  "terminal.integrated.enableBell": true,
  "workbench.editor.enablePreview": false
}

8. VS Code 1.120 Chat, Agents Window, and Markdown Diff Updates

VS Code 1.120 adds several accessibility-relevant changes for learners who use Copilot, review documentation diffs, or manage agent sessions. For the full Copilot and Agents window workflow, see Appendix K: VS Code 1.120 Agents Window and Impactful Updates.

What Changed

The following table summarizes the 1.120 changes that affect accessible VS Code workflows.

Feature	Accessibility Impact	Suggested Use
Agents window, Preview	Gives agent sessions their own window with sessions, chat, customizations, files, and changes	Use Command Palette access, worktree isolation, and Changes panel review
Terminal command risk assessment, Experimental	Adds a risk badge and command explanation to some terminal confirmations	Treat as extra context, not permission to skip reading the command
Terminal output compression, Preview	Reduces long terminal output sent to chat, which can reduce context noise	Use for large diffs or install logs; ask for raw output when exact text matters
Markdown preview for diffs, Preview	Lets documentation diffs render as Markdown instead of only source text	Useful for sighted and low-vision review of headings, lists, links, and tables
Plan mode inline control	Lets supported agents show and edit plans inline before implementation	Useful when reviewing an agent plan before file changes start
Model picker grouped by provider	Makes model lists easier to scan when many models are available	Keep beginners on Auto; use provider grouping for advanced model selection
BYOK token usage and thinking effort	Gives advanced users more visibility and control for bring-your-own-key models	Not needed for beginners; useful for cost and context management
Markdown HTML `id` completion and validation	Improves completion and validation for internal links to HTML IDs in Markdown	Helpful when maintaining long workshop docs with many anchors
Smart select for Markdown tables	Expands selection from cell to row to whole table	Helpful for keyboard users editing large reference tables

Open the Agents window with Chat: Open Agents Window from the Command Palette.
Use Alt+F1 in the focused area to find context-specific accessibility help.
Use F6 and Shift+F6 to move among major workbench parts.
Use Alt+F2 for Accessible View when chat responses, terminal output, hovers, or diffs are easier to read in a stable buffer.
Use F7 and Shift+F7 for diff navigation before accepting agent changes.
When terminal risk assessment is enabled, listen to the risk label and explanation, then still read the exact command before approving it.

Low Vision Workflow

Set zoom and theme before starting a dense Agents window session.
Use modal diff view when side-by-side changes are too compressed.
Try Markdown preview diffs for documentation changes where rendered headings, lists, and tables are easier to inspect.
Widen the Sessions list, Chat area, and Changes panel as needed before reviewing work.
Consider separate Agents window settings if your editor and agent review layouts need different zoom or density.

Sighted Workflow

Use changed-file counts and session status badges as quick scope checks.
Open each changed file from the Changes panel before accepting a session result.
Use rendered Markdown diffs for documentation PRs and source diffs for syntax-sensitive edits.
Use the integrated browser or terminal in the Agents window to validate generated work before committing or merging.

Settings Reference

The following settings are useful to know when teaching VS Code 1.120 workflows.

Setting	What It Controls
`chat.tools.riskAssessment.enabled`	Shows risk assessment for terminal command confirmations
`chat.tools.compressOutput.enabled`	Compresses large terminal output before it is sent to the model
`chat.planWidget.inlineEditor.enabled`	Enables inline plan editing for supported agent flows
`workbench.diffEditorAssociations`	Can set rendered Markdown preview as the default diff editor for Markdown
`extensions.supportAgentsWindow`	Lets you opt specific installed extensions into the Agents window
`chat.notifyWindowOnResponseReceived`	Controls OS notifications when chat responses arrive
`chat.notifyWindowOnConfirmation`	Controls OS notifications when an agent needs confirmation

Example setting for rendered Markdown diffs:

{
  "workbench.diffEditorAssociations": {
    "*.md": "vscode.markdown.preview.editor"
  }
}

Next: Appendix H: GitHub Desktop
Back: Appendix F: Git Security
Teaching chapter: Chapter 11: VS Code Interface

Authoritative Sources

Use these official references when you need the current source of truth for facts in this chapter.

Section-Level Source Map

Use this map to verify facts for each major section in this file.

Complete Technical Reference for Screen Reader Users: GitHub Docs, home, GitHub Changelog, VS Code Copilot chat overview, VS Code agent overview, VS Code custom instructions
1. Complete Accessibility Settings Reference: GitHub Docs, home, GitHub Changelog, VS Code Copilot chat overview, VS Code agent overview, VS Code custom instructions
2. Audio Cues - All Options: GitHub Docs, home, GitHub Changelog, VS Code Copilot chat overview, VS Code agent overview, VS Code custom instructions
3. Accessible Diff Viewer - Complete Guide: GitHub Docs, home, GitHub Changelog, VS Code Copilot chat overview, VS Code agent overview, VS Code custom instructions
4. Screen Reader-Specific Configurations: GitHub Docs, home, GitHub Changelog, VS Code Copilot chat overview, VS Code agent overview, VS Code custom instructions
5. Complete Keyboard Shortcuts: GitHub Docs, home, GitHub Changelog, VS Code Copilot chat overview, VS Code agent overview, VS Code custom instructions
6. Accessibility Signals Types and Customization: GitHub Docs, home, GitHub Changelog, VS Code Copilot chat overview, VS Code agent overview, VS Code custom instructions
7. Settings.json Configuration Examples: GitHub Docs, home, GitHub Changelog, VS Code Copilot chat overview, VS Code agent overview, VS Code custom instructions
Quick Copy: Complete Recommended Settings: GitHub Docs, home, GitHub Changelog, VS Code Copilot chat overview, VS Code agent overview, VS Code custom instructions
8. VS Code 1.120 Chat, Agents Window, and Markdown Diff Updates: GitHub Docs, home, GitHub Changelog, VS Code Copilot chat overview, VS Code agent overview, VS Code custom instructions

Companion Podcast and Transcript

VS Code Accessibility Reference

Appendix G: VS Code Accessibility Reference

Complete Technical Reference for Screen Reader Users

Learning Cards: VS Code Accessibility Reference Overview

Table of Contents

1. Complete Accessibility Settings Reference

Core Accessibility Settings

Diff and Merge Settings

Terminal Settings

Notification Settings

2. Audio Cues - All Options

Accessing Audio Cue Settings

Audio Cue Values

Complete Accessibility Signals List

Customizing Signal Sounds

Sound file requirements

3. Accessible Diff Viewer - Complete Guide

When to Use Accessible Diff Viewer

Opening Accessible Diff Viewer

Diff Viewer Structure

Top-level structure

Description

Line prefixes

Navigating Hunks

Hunk = a block of related changes

Screen Reader-Specific Navigation

NVDA/JAWS

VoiceOver

Understanding Context Lines

Example

Inline Diff View vs Side-by-Side

Inline view (recommended for screen readers)

Side-by-side view (default, visual)

To switch to inline view

Learning Cards: Accessible Diff Viewer

4. Screen Reader-Specific Configurations

NVDA Configuration for VS Code

Recommended NVDA settings

NVDA add-ons for VS Code

VS Code-specific NVDA commands

JAWS Configuration for VS Code

Recommended JAWS settings

JAWS scripts for VS Code

VS Code-specific JAWS commands

VoiceOver Configuration for VS Code (macOS)

Recommended VoiceOver Utility settings

VS Code-specific VoiceOver commands

Quick Nav navigation (when enabled)

5. Complete Keyboard Shortcuts

Global Navigation

Sidebar Panels

Editor - File Operations

Editor - Navigation

Editor - Editing

Editor - Find and Replace

Editor - Multi-Cursor

Terminal

Source Control (Git)

Diff Viewer

Copilot

Accessibility Features

Problems Panel

Markdown Preview

6. Accessibility Signals Types and Customization

Announcement Verbosity Settings

Custom Announcement Timing

Signal Priorities

Learning Cards: Accessibility Signals

7. Settings.json Configuration Examples

Minimal Screen Reader Profile

For users who prefer minimal announcements and use Accessible View manually

Maximum Feedback Profile

For users who want all audio and verbal announcements

Copilot-Optimized Profile

For users working heavily with GitHub Copilot

Git/Diff-Optimized Profile

For users doing heavy PR review and diff work

Performance-Optimized Profile

For users on slower machines or with large repositories

Paste this into your `settings.json` for a balanced screen reader profile