[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "in%20vs%20code%2C%20i%20keep%20turning%20off%20primary%20sidebar%2C%20secondary%20sidebar%2C%20panel.%20when%20i%20restart%20vs%20code%2C%20they%20are%20back"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "It sounds like VS Code isn't persisting your layout choices (primary sidebar, secondary sidebar, bottom panel), so when you restart, they reappear or reset. There *are* settings you can use to control these defaults more reliably. Here's a breakdown of what's going on and how to fix it.\n\n---\n\n## What\u2019s Happening By Default\n\n- **Primary Sidebar:** Usually shows up by default; you can show/hide it manually (e.g. via `View > Appearance > Show Side Bar` or `Ctrl+B` / `Cmd+B`). VS Code often remembers whether it was open or closed when quitting, per workspace or globally.  \n- **Secondary Sidebar (Auxiliary Bar):** Introduced in newer versions of VS Code. Its default behavior is:\n    - Hidden in empty VS Code windows  \n    - Shown when you open a workspace or folder  \n  You can configure this behavior via a specific setting. ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/editor/custom-layout?utm_source=openai))  \n- **Panel (bottom panel with terminal/output/problems):** VS Code restores whether this was visible in your last session (for that workspace). Extensions or certain actions could force the panel to open. ([stackoverflow.com](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/78123928/how-to-stop-vs-code-from-opening-the-panel-automatically-upon-startup?utm_source=openai))\n\nSo constraints like \"open VS Code with a file via Explorer vs open with no folder loaded\" can change what UI VS Code restores. If you're opening *just a file* (not a folder/workspace), it may use a different workspace context which didn't store the UI state, causing defaults to apply. ([reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/vscode/comments/1m9wwok?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## Settings You Can Use to Make Layout Consistent\n\nYou can make VS Code always start with or without certain UI elements via your `settings.json`. Put these in **User Settings** (to apply everywhere), or if you want them per project, in `.vscode/settings.json` in the workspace.\n\nHere are the relevant settings:\n\n| Setting | Description | Example Value | Where to Set |\n|---|---|---|---|\n| `workbench.secondarySideBar.defaultVisibility` | Controls if the secondary (right) sidebar is shown by default. Choices: \"hidden\", \"visibleInWorkspace\", \"visible\". | `\"visible\"` to always show it. `\"hidden\"` to always hide it. | User or Workspace `settings.json`. ([fossies.org](https://fossies.org/linux/vscode/src/vs/workbench/browser/workbench.contribution.ts?utm_source=openai)) |\n| `workbench.primarySidebar.defaultVisibility` | Similar control for the primary (left) sidebar, if available in your version. | `\"hidden\"` to hide by default. | Newer versions of VS Code may have this. |\n| `workbench.panel.defaultVisibility` | Controls default visibility of the bottom panel. | `\"visible\"` or `\"hidden\"` depending on your preference. | User or Workspace `settings.json`. |\n\nOther helpful settings:\n\n- `workbench.sideBar.location`: \"left\" or \"right\".  \n- `workbench.panel.defaultLocation`: \"bottom\", \"left\", \"right\", or \"top\".  \n  ([vscode-docs-arc.readthedocs.io](https://vscode-docs-arc.readthedocs.io/en/latest/getstarted/settings/?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## Steps to Apply (Example)\n\n1. **Open Settings \u2192 JSON**  \n   - `Ctrl+,` or `Cmd+,` \u2192 Open Settings \u2192 click the `{}` icon to open JSON editing mode.\n\n2. **Add layout visibility settings**, for example:\n\n   ```json\n   {\n     \"workbench.primarySidebar.defaultVisibility\": \"hidden\",\n     \"workbench.secondarySideBar.defaultVisibility\": \"visible\",\n     \"workbench.panel.defaultVisibility\": \"hidden\",\n     \"workbench.sideBar.location\": \"left\",\n     \"workbench.panel.defaultLocation\": \"bottom\"\n   }\n   ```\n\n   - The above says: primary sidebar hidden by default, secondary (right) sidebar visible, bottom panel hidden, sidebar on the left, panel at bottom.\n\n3. **Make sure you fully close VS Code**, then re-open it with the context you usually use (opening a folder, opening a file directly, etc.), and see whether the layout matches.\n\n---\n\n## Troubleshooting Why It\u2019s Not Sticking\n\nIf you do all that but the layout still resets:\n\n- **VS Code version**: Some settings are only available in newer versions. Make sure you're up to date.  \n- **Extensions**: Some extensions (especially UI ones, or AI/copilot/chat panes) may force open sidebars or panels. Try disabling them to see if the behavior changes. ([stackoverflow.com](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/78123928/how-to-stop-vs-code-from-opening-the-panel-automatically-upon-startup?utm_source=openai))  \n- **Opening mode matters**: If you open just a file, there might be no workspace state saved. Try opening a folder or workspace.  \n- **State database**: The layout is stored in a state database per workspace. If this is corrupted or cleared, some visibility preferences may reset.  \n\n---\n\nIf you want, I can help you craft a `settings.json` snippet specific to your version of VS Code so that your preferred layout is applied consistently. Do you want that?"
    },
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "well%2C%20in%20the%20settings%20editor%20in%20vs%20code%2C%20i%20can%20find%20no%20such%20option%20workbench.primary*%20or%20workbench.secondary*"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "You\u2019re right \u2014 if you don\u2019t see settings like **`workbench.primarySidebar.defaultVisibility`** or **`workbench.secondarySideBar.defaultVisibility`** in your Settings UI, it could be due to a few things (version, scope, etc.). I checked, and here's what I found:\n\n---\n\n## \u2705 What *is* available\n\n- There *is* a setting called `workbench.secondarySideBar.defaultVisibility`. It controls how the **secondary sidebar** (the right-hand sidebar, aka Auxiliary Bar) is shown when opening a new empty window vs opening a folder/workspace. ([fossies.org](https://fossies.org/linux/vscode/src/vs/workbench/browser/workbench.contribution.ts?utm_source=openai))  \n- There\u2019s no \u201cprimary\u201d version of that setting yet (i.e. *no* `workbench.primarySidebar.defaultVisibility`) as of the latest stable release. The Primary Sidebar is managed differently. ([stackoverflow.com](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/74468546/how-can-i-make-vs-codes-secondary-sidebar-open-on-startup?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## \u2699\ufe0f Where these settings should appear (and how to access them)\n\n- `workbench.secondarySideBar.defaultVisibility` is in the **Default Settings Reference** and in the Custom Layout documentation. You can access it by opening Settings \u2192 JSON mode, or using the Settings UI search box and typing *\u201csecondarySideBar defaultVisibility\u201d*. ([fossies.org](https://fossies.org/linux/vscode/src/vs/workbench/browser/workbench.contribution.ts?utm_source=openai))  \n- The **primary sidebar's visibility** isn't controlled by a setting like this yet. The closest are commands and UI toggles (e.g., `Toggle Primary Side Bar` via `View \u2192 Appearance` or `Ctrl+B` / `Cmd+B`), or the `workbench.sideBar.location` setting for positioning. ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/configure/custom-layout?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## \ud83e\udde9 What you can do about it\n\nSince `workbench.primarySidebar.defaultVisibility` doesn\u2019t seem to exist yet, you\u2019ve got a few options to make VS Code behave more like what you want:\n\n1. **Use `workbench.secondarySideBar.defaultVisibility`** to control the right sidebar (auxiliary bar) visibility. For example, in your *User settings JSON*:\n\n   ```json\n   {\n     \"workbench.secondarySideBar.defaultVisibility\": \"visible\",  // always show\n     // or \"visibleInWorkspace\" to show only in folders/workspaces\n   }\n   ```\n\n2. **Toggle the primary sidebar manually**, or via a keybinding, when you open VS Code (if you always want it hidden/shown). You can use:\n   - `Ctrl+B` / `Cmd+B`\n   - `View \u2192 Appearance \u2192 Show/Hide Side Bar`\n   - Keybindings for toggle: `workbench.action.toggleSidebarVisibility`\n\n3. **Check your VS Code version** \u2014 newer versions sometimes add more layout settings. If you\u2019re a bit behind, updating may introduce settings you don\u2019t have currently. `workbench.secondarySideBar.defaultVisibility` only became reliably available starting around the April 2025 release. ([stackoverflow.com](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/74468546/how-can-i-make-vs-codes-secondary-sidebar-open-on-startup?utm_source=openai))\n\n4. **Use a workspace or folder context** when opening VS Code \u2014 layout/state is saved per workspace. If you open VS Code with *no workspace/folder*, some defaults may kick in that don't reflect your layout changes. ([code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/configure/custom-layout?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\nIf you tell me your VS Code version (`Help \u2192 About`) and whether you usually open a folder/workspace or just files, I can suggest precise settings/steps to match exactly what you want."
    }
]