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[ARTICLE · art-135207] src=dev.to ↗ pub= topic=developer-tools verified=true sentiment=↑ positive

For VS Code lovers, you can have a colored border and more from now...

A developer built vscode-border, a free, open-source C++ Windows application that draws a colored border around each VS Code window to distinguish them when multiple repos and worktrees are open. The tool also adds repo/branch label chips, a project-list HUD acting as a mini taskbar for VS Code windows, per-item right-click actions, and an AI Code status dot showing whether a window is working, needs input, or is done. It is MIT-licensed, Windows-only, and available at github.com/dgtvan/vscode-border.

by read1 min views1 publishedSep 20, 2026

I keep 5-10 VS Code windows open across different repos/worktrees, and Alt-Tab / the taskbar show the same icon for all of them. So I built vscode-border — a free, open-source C++ Windows app that draws a colored border around every VS Code window:

Not an extension — a standalone C++ Windows app, no dependencies.

Also included:

Repo/branch label chip on each window instead of just the folder name:

Project list HUD — a mini second taskbar just for VS Code windows. Click to jump to a window (works for minimized ones too), "+" opens a new window or a favourite folder. Drag it anywhere; its position is remembered per monitor setup, so it's always exactly where you left it, no re-adjusting after reconnecting/changing a monitor:

Right-click menu per item — copy/open the folder, set an alias, pin to favourites which keeps the hub item at the top of the hub list:

AI Code status dot on each HUD item (working / needs your input / done), so you know which window needs attention without alt-tabbing:

MIT-licensed, Vibe-coded, Windows-only, repository: github.com/dgtvan/vscode-border

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