Model picker: no visual contrast between selected/unselected context-window value (e.g. "264K 1M")
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Description
Describe the bug
In the copilot CLI's model picker (the panel shown when switching models / after a Model changed from ... for this session message), the "Context" column for a model that offers two context-window sizes shows both values together, e.g. 264K 1M for Claude Opus 5.
There is no visible difference (weight, color, dimming, checkmark, etc.) between the currently-selected context-window value and the other one. Looking at the row, it's impossible to tell whether the session is currently using the 264K or the 1M context window — you have to trust the small Model changed from ... (1M context) for this session log line above instead of the picker itself.
This is not a light-vs-dark theme color problem: I compared VS Code's light theme and dark theme (both using the integrated terminal), and the row renders identically in both — same lack of contrast between the two values in either theme. Screenshots attached (light theme, then dark theme).
Affected version
GitHub Copilot CLI 1.0.85
Steps to reproduce the behavior
- Run
copilotinside VS Code's integrated terminal. - Trigger the model picker (e.g. run
/model, or open the panel shown after switching models for the session). - Look at the "Context" column for a model with two context sizes, e.g. "Claude Opus 5" showing
264K 1M. - Try to tell, from the row's styling alone, which of the two values (264K or 1M) is the one currently applied to the session.
- Toggle it (Tab) and look again — the rendering doesn't change in a way that clarifies which value is now active.
Expected behavior
The currently active context-window value should be clearly distinguishable from the inactive one (e.g. bold + accent color for the selected one, dimmed/greyed for the other), in both light and dark terminal themes, so the user can tell at a glance which one is selected without having to scroll up and re-read the session log.
Additional context
- Operating system: macOS (Darwin)
- Terminal: VS Code integrated terminal
- Reproduced identically in VS Code light theme and dark theme — same lack of contrast between the two
Contextvalues in either theme:
VS Code light theme:
VS Code dark theme:
- Minor but real usability impact: before noticing the small log line above the picker, I genuinely couldn't tell whether my context-window selection had taken effect at all.
Contributor guide
First steps
- Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
- Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
- Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
- Open a pull request that references the issue number.
Research direction
Start at the copilot CLI's /model entry point and reproduce the model picker with a model showing two context values such as 264K and 1M. Inspect the picker rendering and toggle the value with Tab; done when the active value is visibly distinct from the inactive value in both light and dark terminal themes.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- shell
- Domain
- accessibility, cli, design
- Issue type
- Bug
- Difficulty
- 3/5
- Estimated time
- 1-2 days
- Activity status
- Active
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 58/100