Why I Built a VS Code Theme That Feels Like a Warm Blanket

#webdev #programming #vscode #coding

I’ll be real: I didn’t set out to make yet another dark theme. I just wanted to stop rubbing my eyes like a sleepy toddler by 10 PM.

Here’s the story:

After burning out my retinas with neon-colored brackets one too many times, I started experimenting with darker, warmer tones. The goal? A theme that felt like sipping herbal tea — soothing, not stimulating.

The “Aha!” Moment:
I showed an early version to a friend who said, “Wait… why does this feel easier to read?” Turns out, the subtle teal-and-charcoal palette (#101E21 and #17363D) reduced visual noise without sacrificing clarity.

What I Learned:

Good themes aren’t about looking “cool” — they’re about disappearing so you can focus.
Tiny details matter (like making JSON keys just slightly lighter than the background).

Try it yourself: Ocean Mist

And if you hate it? Tell me why! I’m just a dev with a color picker, not a designer. 😅