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I recently installed a fresh Arch build with the XFCE4 Desktop Environment on a laptop and installed VS Codium. I've used VS Code on the same device but on Windows earlier and on other devices without any issues previously. But when I opened it this time, I feel like the text is significantly duller and the font is particularly hard to read. I compared my settings with another laptop running VS Code on Ubuntu (GNOME) and I am attaching the screenshots of what I see there vs what I see on this laptop.

Screenshot of this laptop with dull foreground text

Screenshot of Codium with unclear text

Screenshot of the other laptop with crisp foreground text

Screenshot of Code with clear text

Checks

I have verified the settings such as the Color Theme, the Editor Font etc. on both the machines and they turn out to be the same. To ensure that it is not a Codium issue, I installed VS Code and it had the same issue. I have not installed any additional themes on the other laptop.

What settings can I change to ensure that Codium/Code is usable on this laptop with the same theme but with clear text which isn't a struggle to read?

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    What's with the votes to close as "not about programming"? This is a question about a programming tool, which makes it on-topic. Commented Nov 1 at 13:30
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    If it's not closed because of being off-topic (askubuntu.com or unix.stackexchange.com might be better places), it might be closed because of not enough info (like: "I compared my settings with another laptop running VS Code", and what was the conclusion?) Commented Nov 1 at 13:54
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    I have mentioned under the 'Checks' heading that the settings 'turn out to be the same'. I asked over here because 1. It's likely not an Ubuntu thing, the problem I'm facing is on an Arch system 2. I was not sure if my issue was related to Unix (a problem in the DE for example) or my Codium settings. Commented Nov 1 at 14:07
  • @wjandrea: A compare between 'XFCE4 Desktop Environment' and 'Ubuntu (GNOME)', does not seem to be a programming issue 😉 Commented Nov 1 at 14:45
  • @kaddy I think what Luuk means regarding the settings is, "which settings exactly and what were their values?" Commented Nov 1 at 15:19

1 Answer 1

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That's not the same font. Look at the l for example (lowercase L). Is the setting something like "monospace"? That's actually a generic font family, meaning it'll use whatever the system default is, and Ubuntu uses specific Ubuntu fonts.

Try changing the font (typeface).

If that doesn't fix the problem, check any other settings related to font like "Font Weight" or "Allow Variable Fonts". Most of the relevant ones are under Text Editor > Font.

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P.S. I'll probably edit this answer later to add more details as needed once OP replies.
I played around with the font settings as pointed out in this answer and I think I've figured out the likely issue. Suggesting edits with my conclusions.
Thanks, but that's too much to add. Please post your own answer, and you can put a little note there like "wjandrea pointed me in the right direction with his answer." :)

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