Ultra Smooth UI

Enhanced build (1.2.1)

Based on Smooth UI by 7hebel. This modified build adds caret motion effects and layout fixes.

This build keeps the original UI and fixes the overflowing editor-top shadow and tab borders. Native smooth caret movement, phase blinking and smooth scrolling are enabled by default (explicit editor settings take precedence). A short, theme-colored motion-blur trail follows the caret without blurring code or delaying input. It resets on large jumps and scrolling, stops when idle, and respects the system's reduced-motion preference.

Install

Disable or uninstall the original/local Smooth UI before enabling this fork.

In VS Code run Extensions: Install from VSIX... and select ultra-smooth-ui-1.2.1.vsix.
Keep Custom CSS and JS Loader (be5invis.vscode-custom-css) enabled.
Run Ultra Smooth UI: Apply / Reload Effects, then use the loader's restart prompt. Repeat this command after updating VS Code, which replaces the patched workbench.

The loader modifies VS Code's workbench files and can trigger VS Code's integrity notice. This is also how the original Smooth UI works. To remove injected styles, run Disable Custom CSS and JS, then reload VS Code.

Tune the effect

{
  "editor.cursorSmoothCaretAnimation": "on",
  "editor.cursorBlinking": "phase",
  "editor.smoothScrolling": true,
  "ultraSmoothUI.motionBlur.enabled": true,
  "ultraSmoothUI.motionBlur.strength": 0.38
}

Raise strength toward 0.65 for a stronger trail, or disable it with enabled: false. The allowed strength range is 0–0.8. Run Ultra Smooth UI: Apply / Reload Effects after changing the effect settings. Existing custom imports are preserved.

Develop and verify

Install dependencies with pnpm install. Run pnpm lint, pnpm test:unit and pnpm test:browser. The browser test uses Playwright Chromium; install it with pnpm exec playwright install chromium or set SMOOTH_UI_BROWSER to a Chromium browser executable. It checks tab bounds, cursor trails, cleanup, palette keyboard handling, reduced motion and editor viewport clipping in a Monaco-shaped fixture. It does not replace a visual check in the user's exact VS Code/theme combination.

Theme Preview