Ever updated VS Code, glanced at the release notes, and thought "okay that's cool" ā but then kept coding without really digging in? Same. Most of us miss genuinely useful features because the changelog can feel like a wall of text.
So let's fix that.
VS Code 1.115 dropped on April 3, 2026, and this one has some really solid improvements ā especially if you're working with AI agents, terminals, or remote machines. Whether you're a solo dev or part of a team, there's something in here worth knowing about.
Let's break it all down in plain English. š
What Is VS Code 1.115?
VS Code releases updates in rolling cycles, and version 1.115 covers changes made between March 31 and April 2, 2026. These aren't massive rewrites ā they're focused, practical improvements that smooth out real developer pain points.
This release touches four main areas:
- Terminal improvements
- Agent and chat session upgrades
- Remote SSH support
- UI and browser polish
Why This Update Matters
If you're using VS Code's built-in AI agent features, background terminals, or SSH remotes, this update directly improves how you work. The team at Microsoft is clearly doubling down on making AI-assisted development feel less clunky and more natural.
Even if you're not deep into agents yet, the terminal paste fix alone is worth noting. How many times have you needed to paste an image into a terminal and had to find a workaround? No more.
What's New in VS Code 1.115
Let's go through each update, grouped by day.
šļø April 2, 2026
Test coverage in the minimap
You can now enable test coverage indicators directly in the minimap. This is a subtle but useful addition for anyone doing TDD or trying to get a quick visual sense of how well their codebase is covered ā without needing to open a separate panel.
Paste files into the terminal
You can now paste files ā including images ā into the integrated terminal using Ctrl+V, drag-and-drop, or right-click paste. This is one of those small things that makes a big difference when you're trying to move fast.
Background terminal improvements for agents
This one is big for AI agent workflows. Background terminals now automatically notify the agent when a command finishes, including the exit code and output. Even better ā if a background terminal is waiting for user input, VS Code detects that and surfaces it to you.
Before this, agents could kick off a terminal command and then just... not know what happened. Now there's a proper feedback loop.
Pinch-to-zoom in the integrated browser (Mac)
Mac users can now use pinch-to-zoom gestures inside the integrated browser. A small quality-of-life upgrade, but it brings the built-in browser experience closer to a real browser.
code serve-web CLI updates
The code serve-web command now supports three new options:
--disable-telemetry--default-folder--default-workspace
Useful for teams running VS Code in a web/server context who want more control over the default experience.
šļø April 1, 2026
Copilot session entitlements and usage info
The Copilot status bar now shows entitlement and usage information inside Sessions. If you've ever wondered how much of your Copilot quota you've used mid-session, this gives you visibility without leaving your editor.
SSH remote support with automatic CLI setup
This is a genuinely useful addition. VS Code can now connect to remote machines over SSH and automatically install the CLI and start it in agent host mode. Previously, you'd need to set things up manually on the remote side. Now it handles it for you.
For anyone doing remote development ā whether on a server, a cloud VM, or a colleague's machine ā this removes a real friction point.
File edit tracking and restoration in agent sessions
Agents can now track and restore file edits made during a session. This means you get proper diffs, undo/redo, and state restoration for any changes an agent made.
This is important. AI-assisted editing is only as trustworthy as your ability to review and reverse it. Now you have the tools to do both.
šļø March 31, 2026
Chat can track and link open browser tabs
Chat sessions can now track browser tabs that were opened or interacted with during a session. Agents can reference those open pages directly. If you asked an agent to open docs and then want it to pull info from them, this makes that flow work properly.
send_to_terminal tool for agents
A new send_to_terminal tool lets agents send commands to background terminals ā with user confirmation. This fixes a known issue where run_in_terminal with a timeout would push terminals to the background and make them read-only. Now that scenario is handled cleanly.
Rename agent sessions from the client side
You can now rename agent sessions directly from the client, thanks to a new rename capability in the Agent Host Protocol. Helpful when you're juggling multiple sessions and need to stay organized.
Favicons in Go to File quick pick
Open web pages now display their favicons in the Go to File quick pick list. A small visual improvement that makes it easier to identify browser tabs at a glance.
Comparison: Before vs. After ā Agent Terminal Workflow
| Scenario | Before 1.115 | After 1.115 |
|---|---|---|
| Agent runs background command | No notification when done | Agent gets exit code + output |
| Background terminal needs input | Silently blocked | Detected and surfaced to user |
| Agent sends command to terminal |
run_in_terminal timeout issues |
Clean send_to_terminal with confirmation |
| SSH remote setup | Manual CLI install required | Auto-installs CLI + starts agent host |
If you work with agents regularly, this table basically summarizes why 1.115 is a meaningful release.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of VS Code 1.115
ā Do:
- Enable test coverage in the minimap if you're writing tests ā it's a fast visual cue
- Try the SSH auto-install feature on your next remote dev session instead of setting things up manually
- Review agent session diffs before accepting them ā the new restoration feature makes this easier than ever
- Rename your agent sessions so you can find them later
ā Don't:
- Ignore background terminal notifications ā they're telling you something important
- Skip reviewing file edits made by agents just because undo is now available
- Forget to check your Copilot usage in the Sessions panel if you're on a limited plan
Common Mistakes People Make After a VS Code Update
Skipping the release notes entirely
Most developers install the update and move on. The result? They miss features that could save them hours. You don't need to read everything ā but skimming the highlights takes three minutes.
Not testing new agent features with real workflows
It's easy to read about a feature and think "cool" without actually using it. The background terminal improvements in 1.115 are genuinely useful ā but you'll only feel that benefit if you try them in an actual agent session.
Assuming remote SSH setup is still manual
Habits are hard to break. If you've been setting up VS Code CLI manually on every remote machine, you might keep doing it out of muscle memory. The auto-install feature is now available ā use it.
Overlooking small UI changes
The favicon display in Go to File and the minimap coverage indicators seem minor. But they add up. A cleaner visual workspace means fewer context switches and less cognitive load over a full workday.
Wrapping Up
VS Code 1.115 is a focused, practical update. It doesn't reinvent the editor ā it makes the things you already do smoother, faster, and more reliable.
The biggest wins here are for developers working with AI agents and remote machines. The background terminal improvements, file edit tracking, and SSH auto-setup are all genuinely useful additions that remove real friction from real workflows.
If you haven't updated yet, do it. And actually read through the release notes ā even just once. You'll find at least one feature that makes you think "wait, that was always the problem I had." š”
For more practical dev content, check out hamidrazadev.com ā new posts every week on tools, tips, and web development.
If this post helped you, share it with a developer friend who might be sleeping on these updates. Drop a comment if you found a feature in 1.115 that I didn't cover! š
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