macOS Platform Guide

Vibrancy Continued supports macOS on both Intel and Apple Silicon architectures. This guide covers macOS-specific vibrancy types, permissions, and troubleshooting.

Supported Architectures

Supported Platforms:

macOS Intel (x86_64)
macOS Apple Silicon (ARM64)

The extension works identically on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs, with full native support for both architectures.

macOS Vibrancy Types

macOS offers a rich set of vibrancy types that control how the transparency effect appears. Each type is designed for specific UI contexts.

Available Types

All vibrancy types except Acrylic are macOS-exclusive. Acrylic is Windows 10 only.

Active Types (macOS Sequoia 15.5+)

The following vibrancy types are actively supported in current macOS versions:

Type	Description	Use Case
auto	Automatically switches based on system version	Recommended for most users
under-window	Background appears under the window	Default transparent background
fullscreen-ui	Optimized for fullscreen interfaces	Maximum transparency
titlebar	Titlebar-style vibrancy	Subtle, minimal transparency
selection	Selection highlighting style	Medium transparency
menu	Menu-style vibrancy	Darker, more opaque
popover	Popover-style vibrancy	Moderate blur
sidebar	Sidebar-style vibrancy	Balanced transparency
header	Header-style vibrancy	Professional look
hud	Heads-up display style	High contrast
tooltip	Tooltip-style vibrancy	Minimal, focused

Configuration Example:

{
  "vscode_vibrancy.type": "under-window"
}

Visual Reference

For screenshots of each vibrancy type, see the Vibrancy Types documentation in the source repository.

Visual appearance varies based on your macOS version and Electron version. Screenshots represent macOS Sequoia 15.5.

Deprecated Types

The following types have been deprecated in recent macOS versions and result in no transparency:

appearance-based
dark
ultra-dark
light
medium-light
content
sheet
under-page
window

If you’re using one of these types, the extension will prompt you to switch to a supported type when it detects Electron 26 or newer (extension/index.js:146-174):

async function checkElectronDeprecatedType() {
  let electronVersion = process.versions.electron;
  let majorVersion = parseInt(electronVersion.split('.')[0]);
  
  if (majorVersion > 25) {
    const currentType = vscode.workspace.getConfiguration("vscode_vibrancy").type;
    const deprecatedTypes = [
      "appearance-based",
      "dark",
      "ultra-dark",
      "light",
      "medium-light"
    ];
    
    if (deprecatedTypes.includes(currentType)) {
      // Prompt user to switch to "under-window" or "fullscreen-ui"
    }
  }
}

For more information, see the Electron BrowserWindow documentation.

macOS-Specific Features

Visual Effect State

The extension automatically configures the visualEffectState option to enable vibrancy while VSCode is not in focus (extension/index.js:461-464):

// add visualEffectState option to enable vibrancy while VSCode is not in focus (macOS only)
if (!ElectronJS.includes('visualEffectState') && osType === 'macos') {
  ElectronJS = ElectronJS.replace(/experimentalDarkMode/g, 'visualEffectState:"active",experimentalDarkMode');
}

This ensures the vibrancy effect remains active even when VSCode loses focus, providing a consistent appearance.

Frameless Window Support

On macOS, frameless windows can help solve visual rendering issues. The extension respects the forceFramelessWindow setting on macOS:

{
  "vscode_vibrancy.forceFramelessWindow": true
}

On macOS, frameless windows are optional and not automatically enabled like on Windows.

Common macOS Errors

EACCES: Permission Denied

Error Message:

EACCES: permission denied, open '/Applications/Visual Studio Code.app/...'

Cause: Your installation of VSCode is owned by another user or has incorrect permissions. Solution:

Option 1: Fix Permissions (Recommended)

Run the following commands in Terminal to take ownership of the files:

sudo chown -R $(whoami):staff "/Applications/Visual Studio Code.app/"
sudo chmod -R 755 "/Applications/Visual Studio Code.app/"

Enter your password when prompted. This changes the ownership to your user account and sets appropriate permissions.

Option 2: Reinstall VSCode

Reinstall Visual Studio Code. You won’t lose any settings, and this ensures consistent file ownership.

These commands are specifically designed for the standard VSCode installation location. If you’ve installed VSCode elsewhere, adjust the path accordingly.

EROFS: Read-Only File System

Error Message:

EROFS: read-only file system, open '/Applications/Visual Studio Code.app/...'

Cause: Your installation of VSCode is affected by App Translocation, a macOS security feature that places apps in a read-only location when they’re first opened from Downloads or mounted disk images. Solution:

Option 1: Move App in Finder (Simple)

Open Finder
Navigate to /Applications
Drag “Visual Studio Code.app” out of Applications to Desktop
Drag it back into Applications
Restart VSCode and retry enabling Vibrancy

Option 2: Remove Quarantine Attribute (Command Line)

Run this command in Terminal:

sudo xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine "/Applications/Visual Studio Code.app"

This removes the quarantine attribute that triggers App Translocation.

App Translocation is a macOS security feature. Only remove the quarantine attribute for apps you trust.

Why This Happens: When you download VSCode or open it from a disk image, macOS may mark it as “quarantined” and place it in a read-only virtual location. Moving the app or removing the quarantine attribute tells macOS you trust the application.

Electron 32.2.6 Bug (VSCode 1.96)

Critical Bug: Vibrancy Continued does not work with VSCode 1.96 on macOS due to an Electron bug.

Affected Version: VSCode 1.96 (Electron 32.2.6) on macOS Error Behavior: The extension will refuse to install and display an error message. Detection Code (extension/index.js:763-767):

// BUG: prevent installation on macOS with Electron 32.2.6 used in VSCode 1.96 (#178)
if (process.versions.electron === "32.2.6" && process.platform === 'darwin') {
  vscode.window.showErrorMessage("Vibrancy doesn't work with this version of VSCode, see [here](https://github.com/illixion/vscode-vibrancy-continued/issues/178) for more info.");
  throw new Error('unsupported');
}

Solution:

Update or Downgrade VSCode

Update to VSCode 1.97 or newer (when available)
Downgrade to VSCode 1.95 or older

Check Issue for Updates

Follow Issue #178 for status updates and workarounds.

Effect Doesn’t Work But No Errors

Symptom: Vibrancy appears to enable successfully, but you don’t see any transparency effect. Possible Causes:

System Transparency Disabled

Check: System Settings → Accessibility → DisplayLook for settings like:

“Reduce transparency” (should be OFF)
“Increase contrast” (should be OFF)

macOS disables vibrancy effects when these accessibility features are enabled.

Using Deprecated Vibrancy Type

If you’re using one of the deprecated types (appearance-based, dark, ultra-dark, light, medium-light), switch to a supported type:

{
  "vscode_vibrancy.type": "under-window"
}

VSCode Theme Not Compatible

Some color themes may conflict with vibrancy. Try switching to a supported theme:

Default Dark
Default Light
Tokyo Night Storm
Catppuccin Mocha

See the full list in the main documentation.

Console Errors

Open VSCode Developer Tools:

Press Cmd+Shift+P
Type “Developer: Toggle Developer Tools”
Check the Console tab for errors

This can reveal issues with the vibrancy runtime.

Terminal Rendering Issues

Symptom: The integrated terminal doesn’t display the vibrancy effect correctly. Solution: Disable GPU acceleration for the terminal:

{
  "terminal.integrated.gpuAcceleration": "off"
}

This changes the terminal renderer to use the DOM, which is compatible with vibrancy effects.

macOS Configuration

Custom Imports Path Format

On macOS, use standard Unix-style paths for custom imports.

{
  "vscode_vibrancy.imports": [
    "/Users/MyUserName/Documents/custom.css"
  ]
}

Recommended Settings

For the best experience on macOS:

{
  "vscode_vibrancy.type": "under-window",
  "vscode_vibrancy.opacity": 0.4,
  "vscode_vibrancy.theme": "Default Dark",
  "terminal.integrated.gpuAcceleration": "off",
  "vscode_vibrancy.preventFlash": true
}

Opacity Adjustment

The opacity setting controls the transparency level:

{
  "vscode_vibrancy.opacity": 0.4
}

-1: Theme default
0: Maximum transparency
1: No transparency

Lower opacity values (closer to 0) provide more transparency but may reduce text readability on busy backgrounds.

Platform Detection

The extension automatically detects macOS (extension/platform.js:7-9):

if (process.platform === 'darwin') {
  os = 'macos';
}

This enables macOS-specific features like the full range of vibrancy types and visualEffectState configuration.

Troubleshooting Checklist

If you’re experiencing issues on macOS:

Check Permissions

Verify file ownership with:

ls -la "/Applications/Visual Studio Code.app/Contents/Resources/app"

Files should be owned by your user account.

Verify No Translocation

Check for quarantine attribute:

xattr -l "/Applications/Visual Studio Code.app"

If you see com.apple.quarantine, remove it.

Check macOS Version

Ensure you’re not on VSCode 1.96 with Electron 32.2.6. Check in Help → About.

Verify System Transparency

System Settings → Accessibility → DisplayEnsure “Reduce transparency” is OFF.

Check Vibrancy Type

Avoid deprecated types. Use under-window or fullscreen-ui.

Disable Terminal GPU Acceleration

Set terminal.integrated.gpuAcceleration to "off".

Reload Vibrancy

Press F1 and run Reload Vibrancy command.

Check Developer Tools Console

Press Cmd+Shift+P → “Developer: Toggle Developer Tools” → Console tabLook for JavaScript errors or warnings.

Advanced Configuration

Automatic Theme Switching

Enable automatic dark/light mode switching based on macOS system appearance:

{
  "vscode_vibrancy.enableAutoTheme": true,
  "window.autoDetectColorScheme": true,
  "vscode_vibrancy.preferedDarkTheme": "Default Dark",
  "vscode_vibrancy.preferedLightTheme": "Default Light"
}

The extension will automatically switch between your preferred light and dark themes when macOS appearance changes.

Prevent Flash

The preventFlash setting uses an improved method for preventing window flashing during resizing:

{
  "vscode_vibrancy.preventFlash": true
}

This is enabled by default and provides a smoother experience on macOS.

Getting Started

Platform Guides

Configuration

Troubleshooting

macOS Platform Guide

macOS Platform Guide

Supported Architectures

macOS Vibrancy Types

Available Types

Active Types (macOS Sequoia 15.5+)

Visual Reference

Deprecated Types

macOS-Specific Features

Visual Effect State

Frameless Window Support

Common macOS Errors

EACCES: Permission Denied

EROFS: Read-Only File System

Electron 32.2.6 Bug (VSCode 1.96)

Effect Doesn’t Work But No Errors

Terminal Rendering Issues

macOS Configuration

Custom Imports Path Format

Recommended Settings

Opacity Adjustment

Platform Detection

Troubleshooting Checklist

Advanced Configuration

Automatic Theme Switching

Prevent Flash

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Getting Started

Platform Guides

Configuration

Troubleshooting

​macOS Platform Guide

​Supported Architectures

​macOS Vibrancy Types

​Available Types

​Active Types (macOS Sequoia 15.5+)

​Visual Reference

​Deprecated Types

​macOS-Specific Features

​Visual Effect State

​Frameless Window Support

​Common macOS Errors

​EACCES: Permission Denied

​EROFS: Read-Only File System

​Electron 32.2.6 Bug (VSCode 1.96)

​Effect Doesn’t Work But No Errors

​Terminal Rendering Issues

​macOS Configuration

​Custom Imports Path Format

​Recommended Settings

​Opacity Adjustment

​Platform Detection

​Troubleshooting Checklist

​Advanced Configuration

​Automatic Theme Switching

​Prevent Flash

​Related Resources

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

macOS Platform Guide

Supported Architectures

macOS Vibrancy Types

Available Types

Active Types (macOS Sequoia 15.5+)

Visual Reference

Deprecated Types

macOS-Specific Features

Visual Effect State

Frameless Window Support

Common macOS Errors

EACCES: Permission Denied

EROFS: Read-Only File System

Electron 32.2.6 Bug (VSCode 1.96)

Effect Doesn’t Work But No Errors

Terminal Rendering Issues

macOS Configuration

Custom Imports Path Format

Recommended Settings

Opacity Adjustment

Platform Detection

Troubleshooting Checklist

Advanced Configuration

Automatic Theme Switching

Prevent Flash

Related Resources