Change VS Code Cursor to Line

Change VS Code Cursor to Line | Generated by AI

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Fixing the Block (Rectangle) Cursor in VS Code

Got it—sounds like your cursor has switched to a block/rectangle style (common in overwrite mode or default settings), but you want the thin vertical line style for easier editing. This is a quick settings tweak. Follow these steps exactly:

Via the Settings UI (Easiest):

Open VS Code.
Press Ctrl + , (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + , (macOS) to open Settings.
In the search box at the top, type: cursor style.
Look for Editor: Cursor Style (under Text Editor > Cursor).
Click the dropdown and select Line (it might currently say “Block”).
The change happens instantly—try typing in a file to see the thin line cursor.

If it’s still not updating, close and reopen VS Code, or restart it fully.

Via settings.json (For Precision):

Open the Command Palette: Ctrl + Shift + P (or Cmd + Shift + P on macOS).
Type and select: Preferences: Open User Settings (JSON).
Add or update this line inside the {} (create it if empty):
```
"editor.cursorStyle": "line"
```
Save the file (Ctrl + S or Cmd + S).

Extra Tips:

Overwrite Mode? If you’re accidentally in “overwrite” (where it blocks characters), press the Insert key on your keyboard to toggle back to insert mode.
Blinking Issue? If the line looks choppy, search for cursor blinking in settings and set it to Blink or Smooth.
Extensions Interfering? Disable extensions like Vim temporarily (Extensions view > right-click > Disable) to test.

This should get you that clean line cursor right away. If it’s still rectangle-shaped after this, share your OS or a screenshot for more targeted help!

VS Code Cursor Documentation ```

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