Auto Folder Colors

Automatically change VS Code workspace colors based on the active project folder. Perfect for multi-root workspaces where you work on multiple projects simultaneously.

Features

• 🎨 Automatic Color Switching: IDE colors change automatically when you switch between files from different projects
• ✨ Manual Color Application: Apply colors manually even without workspace or configured folders (NEW!)
• 🟢 Visual Project Indicator: Status bar shows current project with colored icon
• 📂 Multi-Project Support: Seamlessly handles multiple open projects
• 🎯 Easy Configuration: Pre-defined color palette with custom color support
• 🔄 Live Updates: Colors update in real-time as you navigate between files
• 🚀 Works Everywhere: No workspace? No problem! Apply colors to any VS Code instance

How It Works

The extension detects which project folder your active file belongs to and automatically applies a color theme to:

• Title bar
• Status bar
• Activity bar
• Active tab
• Tab borders
• Breadcrumbs

Usage

1. Automatic Mode: Just open files from different project folders - colors change automatically!

2. Click Status Bar: Click the project indicator in the status bar to:

   • View all open projects
   • View configured folders (even if not open)
   • Apply colors manually without workspace
   • Change colors quickly
   • See file counts per project

3. Manual Mode (NEW!): Works even without workspace or configured folders!

   • Click the status bar when no project is detected
   • Use Auto Folder Colors: Apply Color Without Workspace command
   • Choose a color and apply it immediately
   • Perfect for single-file workspaces or temporary projects

4. Commands: Access via Command Palette (Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+P):

   • Auto Folder Colors: Apply Color Without Workspace - Apply color manually (NEW!)
   • Auto Folder Colors: Add Folder - Add new project folder with color
   • Auto Folder Colors: Edit Folder Color - Change existing folder color
   • Auto Folder Colors: Remove Folder - Remove folder configuration
   • Auto Folder Colors: List All Folders - View all configured folders

Configuration

The extension starts with no folders configured. You can add your own folder-to-color mappings:

Option 1: Using Commands (Recommended)

• Use Auto Folder Colors: Add Folder to add folders interactively
• Use Auto Folder Colors: Apply Color Without Workspace for quick manual application

Option 2: Manual Configuration in Settings

{
  "autoFolderColors.folders": {
    "my-frontend": "#dc3545",
    "my-backend": "#007acc",
    "my-api": "#28a745",
    "my-mobile": "#fd7e14"
  }
}

📂 Multi-root Workspace Example

If you use a .code-workspace file, you can define specific colors for each project in that workspace. This is the most professional way to organize multiple projects:

File: my-projects.code-workspace

{
  "folders": [
    { "name": "Frontend App", "path": "apps/frontend" },
    { "name": "Backend API", "path": "services/backend" }
  ],
  "settings": {
    "autoFolderColors.folders": {
      "Frontend App": "#dc3545",
      "Backend API": "#007acc"
    }
  }
}

Note: The extension matches the folderName defined in your settings with the folder names in your breadcrumbs/path. If you use a Multi-root workspace, use the name of the folder as shown in the VS Code sidebar.

Color Palette

Choose from 8 predefined colors or use custom hex codes:

• 🔴 Red #dc3545
• 🔵 Blue #007acc
• 🟢 Green #28a745
• 🟠 Orange #fd7e14
• 🟡 Yellow #ffc107
• 💜 Purple #9c27b0
• 🟤 Brown #795548
• ⚫ Black #343a40
• 🎨 Custom (any hex color)

Requirements

• VS Code 1.80.0 or higher
• Multi-root workspace recommended for full experience

Known Issues

• VS Code API doesn't support per-tab colors, only the active tab reflects the current project color

Release Notes

1.1.0

• NEW: Manual color application without workspace
• NEW: Apply colors to any VS Code instance
• Enhanced status bar with better project selection
• Improved UX for users without configured folders

1.0.0

• Initial release
• Automatic color switching
• Multi-project support
• Status bar indicator
• Color palette with 8 preset colors
• Custom color support

License

MIT