Barecode
A minimal, monochrome VS Code theme designed for focus.
No syntax rainbow. No distractions. Just code.
Philosophy
Most syntax themes highlight everything. Keywords are blue, strings are green, functions are yellow. Your eyes constantly jump between colors, processing chromatic information that doesn't help you understand the code.
Barecode inverts this approach:
- What YOU wrote (strings, numbers, names) = prominent
- What the language requires (keywords, punctuation) = fades back
The result is a calm, focused editing experience where your attention naturally flows to what matters.
Screenshots
Dark Theme
Light Theme
Visual Hierarchy
| Element |
Dark |
Light |
Rationale |
| Literals (strings, numbers) |
#e8e8e8 bold |
#1a1a1a bold |
Your data - maximum prominence |
| Definitions (functions, classes) |
#c0c0c0 |
#383838 |
Names you create |
| Identifiers (variables) |
#a0a0a0 |
#505050 |
References to names |
| Types |
#888888 |
#707070 |
Secondary information |
| Keywords |
#686868 |
#888888 |
Language scaffolding |
| Punctuation |
#686868 |
#a8a8a8 |
Structural glue |
| Comments |
#d4a050 |
#8a6b2a |
The only color |
Installation
From VS Code Marketplace
- Open Extensions sidebar (
Cmd+Shift+X / Ctrl+Shift+X)
- Search for
Barecode
- Click Install
- Open Command Palette (
Cmd+Shift+P / Ctrl+Shift+P)
- Select
Preferences: Color Theme → Barecode Dark or Barecode Light
Manual Installation
git clone https://github.com/moondef/vscode-barecode-theme.git ~/.vscode/extensions/barecode
Restart VS Code and select the theme.
Recommended Settings
For the best experience, consider these VS Code settings:
{
"editor.fontFamily": "JetBrains Mono, Fira Code, monospace",
"editor.fontSize": 14,
"editor.lineHeight": 1.6,
"editor.renderWhitespace": "selection",
"editor.bracketPairColorization.enabled": false,
}
Accessibility
- All text colors meet WCAG 2.1 AA contrast requirements (4.5:1 minimum)
- Bold font weight provides additional distinction beyond luminance
- Comments use both color AND italic style for redundant differentiation
- Diff markers use font styles (bold/italic) rather than relying solely on color
Contributing
Found an issue with a specific language or file type? Please open an issue with:
- The language/file type
- A code snippet demonstrating the problem
- What you expected vs. what you see
Pull requests are welcome for language-specific improvements.
License
MIT - Use it however you want.
Made for developers who want less noise and more focus.
