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Claude Code VS Code Message Timestamps On by Default

Claude CodeView original changelog

Claude Code 2.1.290 makes message timestamps visible by default in the VS Code extension. The Show Message Timestamps setting turns them off. The release also adds a screen reader announcement when a message is queued and path hover on file pills.

Key Takeaways

  • Timestamps now appear on messages by default.
  • The Show Message Timestamps setting turns them off.
  • A screen reader announces "Message queued." when a message is sent mid-run.
  • File pill hover shows the project-relative path.
  • Continue After Reload finishes steps interrupted by an extension restart.
  • Permission prompts behind a dialog no longer steal keyboard focus.

Timestamps by default

The VS Code extension now shows message timestamps by default. Users who prefer the old look can turn them off with the Claude Code: Show Message Timestamps setting.

Other VS Code changes

  • A screen reader announces "Message queued." when a message is sent while Claude is working.
  • Hovering a file pill shows the file's path from the project folder, so same-named files can be told apart.
  • Continue After Reload now also finishes a step that a restart of VS Code's extensions interrupted.
  • The Manage plugins dialog can review and run a marketplace's install or update command.
  • A permission prompt that arrives behind an open dialog no longer takes keyboard focus, so a keypress in the dialog cannot answer it.