[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "any%20accessibility%20improvements%20in%20recent%20versions%20of%20vs%20code%20such%20as%201.115%20or%201.114%20or%201.113%3F"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "I checked the official VS Code \u201cUpdates\u201d pages for versions **1.113**, **1.114**, and **1.115** to see what *accessibility improvements* are included. Short answer: there are only a few direct accessibility changes in 1.113 and 1.114; most of 1.115\u2019s updates are agent-related, with little explicit mention of accessibility so far. Below are details:\n\n---\n\n### Version 1.113 (March 25, 2026)  \nBased on release notes, the changes here focus on improving the agent experience and UI customizations. Accessibility-specific improvements are not mentioned explicitly. ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/updates/v1_113?utm_source=openai))\n\nSome related features that may benefit accessibility indirectly:\n\n- **Image preview** in chat attachments now opens in a full image viewer, with keyboard arrow navigation and zoom/pan support. This can help users who need to examine images more closely. ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/updates/v1_113?utm_source=openai))  \n- **Default themes refresh**: updated light and dark themes, along with OS theme syncing for new users. Theme changes can improve readability and visual comfort. ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/updates/v1_113?utm_source=openai))\n\nBut no specific screen reader enhancements, keyboard navigation fixes, or ARIA announcements are listed in 1.113.\n\n---\n\n### Version 1.114 (March 23\u201325, 2026)  \nFrom the public release notes, **1.114** introduces some usability and UI improvements, but similarly to 1.113, nothing explicitly labeled as *accessibility improvements*. ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/updates/v1_114?utm_source=openai))\n\nHighlights:\n\n- Pinned chat sessions get an indicator icon. Might help with visual identification in lists. ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/updates/v1_114?utm_source=openai))  \n- A new task variable (`${taskVar:name}`) for capturing dynamic values in tasks. Useful for workflows, but not directly accessibility-related. ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/updates/v1_114?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n### Version 1.115 (April 1, 2026)  \nThe release notes for **1.115** focus heavily on *agent session*, *agent host protocol*, and *terminal tools*. While these enhance the functionality and workflows, there are **no explicit accessibility improvements** listed in the 1.115 notes as of April 1, 2026. ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/updates/v1_115?utm_source=openai))\n\nExamples of what is included:\n\n- Tracking/restoring file edits in agent sessions (undo/redo etc.) ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/updates/v1_115?utm_source=openai))  \n- Better handling of background terminal commands/tools for agents, including new tools like `send_to_terminal` and background notifications ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/updates/v1_115?utm_source=openai))  \n- Visual additions like showing favicons for open web pages in quick-pick lists ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/updates/v1_115?utm_source=openai))  \n\nWhile these are great improvements, they aren\u2019t explicitly tagged as or designed for accessibility.\n\n---\n\n### In Summary\n\n- **1.113 & 1.114** have very *few* direct accessibility improvements. Mostly improvements in themes, image viewer, UI polish.\n- **1.115** has **no clear, documented accessibility enhancements** so far.\n- Previous versions (e.g. around 1.110 and 1.108) introduced a number of accessibility updates such as screen reader improvements, keyboard navigation, accessible view streaming content, and ARIA signaling. ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/updates/v1_110?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\nIf you want, I can compare version **1.110** or **1.108** against a baseline to see how far accessibility has progressed. Do you want me to dig into those earlier ones?"
    },
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "ok%2C%20lets%20just%20say%202026%20releases%20of%20vs%20code.%20summarize%20accessibility%20improvements."
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here\u2019s a summary of the **accessibility improvements** in VS Code released throughout **2026** (so far). Most of these come from *versions 1.109* and *1.110*, which introduced many features aimed directly at improving screen reader and keyboard navigation interactions. Ahead-of-1.110 versions haven\u2019t shown similarly comprehensive accessibility updates. Sources below.\n\n---\n\n## Key Accessibility Enhancements in 2026 (VS Code)\n\n### 1. Screen Reader & Accessible View Improvements\n\n- **Real-time content streaming in accessible view**: When you're using chat (AI/agent interactions), VS Code now streams both the \"final answer\" content *and* the model\u2019s internal \"thinking\" content live to the accessible view. You no longer need to refresh or reopen the view to follow along.  \n  ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/updates/v1_109?utm_source=openai))\n\n- **Toggle inclusion of thinking content**: Users can choose whether the \u201cthinking\u201d content appears in accessible views. A keyboard shortcut (Alt + T on Windows/Linux, or Option-T etc.) toggles this.  \n  ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/updates/v1_110?utm_source=openai))\n\n### 2. Improved Navigation & Keyboard Support\n\n- **Question carousel keyboard support**: In chats, question carousels are now fully usable via keyboard. They announce \u201cQuestion 1 of N\u201d, allow navigation with keys like Alt + N / Alt + P, and let you shift focus between the carousel and the input area using a key combo.  \n  ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/updates/v1_110?utm_source=openai))\n\n- **Stable cursor/focus position**: When new content is added (e.g. during streaming responses), the accessible view no longer forces the cursor/focus to jump to the top \u2014 users resume reading where they left off.   \n  ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/updates/v1_109?utm_source=openai))\n\n- **Announce cursor position on command**: There\u2019s a keyboard command (Ctrl/Cmd + Alt + Shift + G) to tell screen readers your current line and column\u2014handy when navigating code without visual cues.  \n  ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/updates/v1_109?utm_source=openai))\n\n### 3. Notifications & Signals\n\n- **Chat prompts & confirmation signals**: When VS Code\u2019s chat requires your confirmation or asks a question, it can now trigger both an accessibility signal *and* an OS notification (if enabled). This helps users using screen readers or who are focused elsewhere stay aware of pending actions.  \n  ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/updates/v1_110?utm_source=openai))\n\n- **Steering indicator announcements**: If you send a \u201csteering\u201d message (a correction or redirection) while content is streaming, it\u2019s announced to screen readers using `aria-status`.  \n  ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/updates/v1_110?utm_source=openai))\n\n### 4. Help & Discoverability\n\n- **Accessibility Help menu & context help**: Pressing **Alt + F1** in find/filter dialogs or other contexts opens contextual accessibility help\u2014explaining what keyboard shortcuts or navigation options are available. Widgets like find/filter announce \u201cPress Alt+F1 for accessibility help\u201d.  \n  ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/updates/v1_110?utm_source=openai))\n\n- **Improved tool-call descriptions**: When tools are called in chat/agent sessions, the accessible view now includes more descriptive information about what\u2019s happening. For example, not just \u201ctool call\u201d but *which* tool and what purpose.  \n  ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/updates/v1_109?utm_source=openai))\n\n### 5. Other Enhancements Supporting Accessibility\n\n- **Dim unfocused editors/terminals**: You can dim windows or panels that aren\u2019t currently focused, to visually emphasize where your interaction is. Helps for visual tracking when multiple panels are open.  \n  ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/configure/accessibility/accessibility?utm_source=openai))\n\n- **Keyboard navigation everywhere**: Reinforcement of the requirement that all interactive UI components (dialogs, lists, toolbars, trees, etc.) must support keyboard navigation (tabbing, arrow keys, etc.), proper focus behavior, and ARIA labels/roles. This is both via code policy and ongoing feature updates.  \n  ([skills.sh](https://skills.sh/microsoft/vscode/accessibility?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\nIf you like, I can pull up how these updates compare with say, late-2025, to see how steep the recent progress has been."
    },
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "how%20to%20enable%20that%20os%20notification"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "To enable OS notifications in VS Code when chat responses arrive or confirmations are needed, use the settings introduced recently. Here's how to turn them on and adjust their behavior:\n\n---\n\n## \ud83d\udd27 Relevant Settings\n\nThere are *two main settings* for controlling OS notifications related to chat:\n\n| Setting | What it affects |\n|---|---|\n| `chat.notifyWindowOnResponseReceived` | Shows an OS notification when a chat response is received. ([releasebot.io](https://releasebot.io/updates/microsoft/visual-studio-code?utm_source=openai)) |\n| `chat.notifyWindowOnConfirmation` | Shows an OS notification when the chat or agent requires user input or confirmation. ([releasebot.io](https://releasebot.io/updates/microsoft/visual-studio-code?utm_source=openai)) |\n\nEach setting has *three possible values*:\n\n- `off` \u2014 Never show the notifications.  \n- `windowNotFocused` \u2014 Default behavior: only show when VS Code is *not* focused (i.e. you're working in another window).  \n- `always` \u2014 Show notifications even when VS Code is focused. ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/copilot/chat/chat-sessions?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## \ud83d\udee0 How to Enable\n\nYou can enable these settings either via the Settings UI or by editing your JSON settings directly.\n\n### Using Settings UI\n\n1. Open **Settings**  \n   - Windows/Linux: File \u2192 Preferences \u2192 Settings  \n   - macOS: Code \u2192 Settings  \n   - Or press `Ctrl + ,` (Cmd + , on macOS)\n\n2. Search for \u201cnotify window on response\u201d \u2192 **Chat: Notify Window On Response Received**  \n3. Set the value to `always` (or `windowNotFocused`, depending on when you want notifications)\n\n4. Search for \u201cnotify window on confirmation\u201d \u2192 **Chat: Notify Window On Confirmation**  \n5. Set that one to `always` too, if desired.  \n\n### Editing settings.json Directly\n\nAdd or modify these lines in your `settings.json`:\n\n```json\n{\n  \"chat.notifyWindowOnResponseReceived\": \"always\",\n  \"chat.notifyWindowOnConfirmation\": \"always\"\n}\n```\n\n---\n\n## \u2705 Tips & Considerations\n\n- If you don\u2019t want notifications all the time, but still want to know when something requires your input while you're away, choose `windowNotFocused`.  \n  ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/copilot/chat/chat-sessions?utm_source=openai))\n\n- These notifications include a preview. Clicking or selecting them brings focus back to the VS Code window and specifically to the chat needing your attention.  \n  ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/copilot/chat/chat-sessions?utm_source=openai))\n\n- The accessibility signal (for screen readers) also plays when confirmations are required, so you get multiple cues.  \n  ([releasebot.io](https://releasebot.io/updates/microsoft/visual-studio-code?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\nIf you tell me whether you\u2019re using Windows, macOS, or Linux, I can provide specific OS-level settings to make sure notifications work reliably in your environment."
    }
]