Audit obsolete temporary code

# Stale Removal Comments

Last reviewed: 2026-07-18

This audit covers code that is explicitly temporary, transitional,
compatibility-only, deprecated, or intended for removal after a condition,
version, release, or period of time. It also includes nearby obsolete-code
signals such as unused legacy enum members and superseded experimental paths.

## Ownership

- `*` before an assignee means the original author or named owner is no longer an
appropriate assignee, and the assignee was inferred from current ownership,
nearby history, or the responsible pull request.
- Copilot-extension files imported in the `Hello Copilot` commit have import
blame rather than useful authorship history. Those entries are assigned to
the current human owner of the relevant code.

## Conditions Appear Satisfied or Deadlines Expired

| Location | Removal signal | Original attribution | Assignee | Done |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [search.contribution.ts:142](https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/blob/532a037420afba992dbf560c37d6419c7e512cb7/src/vs/workbench/contrib/search/browser/search.contribution.ts#L142) | Removed the deprecated `search.useRipgrep` setting and its query-builder fallback behavior. | Rob Lourens, 2017-03 | @roblourens | ✅ |
| [search.contribution.ts:234](https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/blob/532a037420afba992dbf560c37d6419c7e512cb7/src/vs/workbench/contrib/search/browser/search.contribution.ts#L234), [ripgrepTextSearchEngine.ts:478](https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/blob/532a037420afba992dbf560c37d6419c7e512cb7/src/vs/workbench/services/search/node/ripgrepTextSearchEngine.ts#L478) | Removed the deprecated `search.usePCRE2` setting and manual PCRE2 override plumbing in favor of automatic engine selection. | Rob Lourens, 2018-10 | @roblourens | ✅ |
| [chatListRenderer.ts:2195](https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/blob/532a037420afba992dbf560c37d6419c7e512cb7/src/vs/workbench/contrib/chat/browser/widget/chatListRenderer.ts#L2195), [chatWidget.ts:2243](https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/blob/532a037420afba992dbf560c37d6419c7e512cb7/src/vs/workbench/contrib/chat/browser/widget/chatWidget.ts#L2243) | Removed the hidden `chat.experimental.renderMarkdownImmediately` development path. | Rob Lourens, 2025-06 | @roblourens | ✅ |
| [search.contribution.ts:148](https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/blob/30334f65dd2195d216acf88a530487b63d5f6769/src/vs/workbench/contrib/search/browser/search.contribution.ts#L148) | Removed the deprecated `search.maintainFileSearchCache` setting, which was obsolete after the search cache moved into the long-lived extension host. | Rob Lourens, 2019-02 | @roblourens | ✅ |
| [search.contribution.ts:214](https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/blob/30334f65dd2195d216acf88a530487b63d5f6769/src/vs/workbench/contrib/search/browser/search.contribution.ts#L214) | Removed the deprecated `search.location` setting, superseded by dragging the Search view to a new location. | SteVen Batten, 2020-02 | @roblourens | ✅ |
| [editorOptions.ts:5229](https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/blob/30334f65dd2195d216acf88a530487b63d5f6769/src/vs/editor/common/config/editorOptions.ts#L5229) | Removed the deprecated `editor.suggest.maxVisibleSuggestions` setting after the suggest widget became resizable. | Alex Dima, 2019-09 | @roblourens | ✅ |
| [configuration.ts:228](https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/blob/30334f65dd2195d216acf88a530487b63d5f6769/src/vs/workbench/contrib/testing/common/configuration.ts#L228) | Removed the expired Insiders-only `testing.automaticallyOpenResults` migration after its 1.97 deadline. | Connor Peet, 2024-11 | @roblourens | ✅ |
| [mainThreadEditorTabs.ts:534](https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/blob/30334f65dd2195d216acf88a530487b63d5f6769/src/vs/workbench/api/browser/mainThreadEditorTabs.ts#L534) | Removed the old commented-out `_eventToString` editor-tabs debugging helper. | Logan Ramos, 2021-09 | @roblourens | ✅ |
| [build/win32/code.iss:1746](build/win32/code.iss#L1746) | Remove in 1.111; current is 1.130 | Deepak Mohan, 2026-01-30 | @deepak1556 | ✅ |
| [build/azure-pipelines/darwin/product-build-darwin-universal.yml:116](build/azure-pipelines/darwin/product-build-darwin-universal.yml#L116), [product-build-darwin-compile.yml:254](build/azure-pipelines/darwin/steps/product-build-darwin-compile.yml#L254) | Remove once main is on 1.112 | Deepak Mohan, 2026-02-03 | @deepak1556 | ✅ |
| [scripts/test-remote-integration.bat:6](scripts/test-remote-integration.bat#L6), [test-web-integration.bat:6](scripts/test-web-integration.bat#L6) | Remove above Node 24.16; hooks run Node 24.18 | Deepak Mohan, 2026-06-29 | @deepak1556 | ✅ |
| [build/npm/postinstall.ts:340](build/npm/postinstall.ts#L340) | Remove at Copilot SDK >=0.1.32; dependency is 1.0.7-preview | Tyler Leonhardt, 2026-03-23 | @TylerLeonhardt | |
| [extensions/copilot/src/platform/promptFiles/vscode-node/promptsServiceImpl.ts:90](extensions/copilot/src/platform/promptFiles/vscode-node/promptsServiceImpl.ts#L90) | Temporary workaround for a bug fixed in 1.114 | Martin Aeschlimann, 2026-04-15 | @aeschli | |
| [abstractLanguageModelChatProvider.ts:47](extensions/copilot/src/extension/byok/vscode-node/abstractLanguageModelChatProvider.ts#L47), [azureProvider.ts:99](extensions/copilot/src/extension/byok/vscode-node/azureProvider.ts#L99), [customOAIProvider.ts:191](extensions/copilot/src/extension/byok/vscode-node/customOAIProvider.ts#L191) | Remove after six months; six months elapsed | Sandeep Somavarapu, 2026-01-15 | @sandy081 | |
| [terminalServiceImpl.ts:32](extensions/copilot/src/platform/terminal/vscode/terminalServiceImpl.ts#L32) | Safe to remove after a few months; linked issue is closed | Don Jayamanne, 2025-11-06 | @DonJayamanne | |
| [extensions/microsoft-authentication/src/node/authProvider.ts:26](extensions/microsoft-authentication/src/node/authProvider.ts#L26) | Remove after one or two releases | Copilot-authored PR #276787, 2025-11-11 | `*` @TylerLeonhardt | |
| [chatHistoryBuilder.ts:120](extensions/copilot/src/extension/chatSessions/vscode-node/chatHistoryBuilder.ts#L120), [chatHistoryBuilder.ts:132](extensions/copilot/src/extension/chatSessions/vscode-node/chatHistoryBuilder.ts#L132) | Added in 0.38.x; remove after a few releases; extension is 0.58 | Tyler Leonhardt, 2026-02-06 | @TylerLeonhardt | |
| [extensions/html-language-features/server/src/htmlServer.ts:548](extensions/html-language-features/server/src/htmlServer.ts#L548) | Remove when vscode-languageserver-node issue #700 is fixed; closed 2025-10 | Martin Aeschlimann, 2021-07-08 | @aeschli | |
| [src/vs/platform/hover/browser/hoverService.ts:289](src/vs/platform/hover/browser/hoverService.ts#L289) | Remove when VS Code issue #189076 is fixed; closed 2024-05 | Megan Rogge, 2023-07-28 | @meganrogge | |
| [src/vs/workbench/api/common/extHostNotebook.ts:462](src/vs/workbench/api/common/extHostNotebook.ts#L462) | Temporary fix for VS Code issue #205044; closed 2024-12 | Andrea Mah, 2024-02-12 | `*` @roblourens | ✅ |
| [nativeEditContext.ts:381](src/vs/editor/browser/controller/editContext/native/nativeEditContext.ts#L381), [view.ts:528](src/vs/editor/browser/view.ts#L528) | Workarounds for VS Code issue #229825; closed 2024-10 | Aiday Marlen Kyzy, 2024-10 | @aiday-mar | |
| [src/vs/platform/windows/electron-main/windowImpl.ts:210](src/vs/platform/windows/electron-main/windowImpl.ts#L210) | Workaround for VS Code issue #250626; closed 2025-06 | Benjamin Pasero, 2025-11; TODO names Deepak | @deepak1556 | ✅ |
| [src/main.ts:282](src/main.ts#L282), [encryption.contribution.ts:28](src/vs/workbench/contrib/encryption/electron-browser/encryption.contribution.ts#L28) | Gnome password-store migration: remove after three months | Tyler Leonhardt, 2024-02 | @TylerLeonhardt | |
| [mainThreadStorage.ts:68](src/vs/workbench/api/browser/mainThreadStorage.ts#L68), [mainThreadStorage.ts:77](src/vs/workbench/api/browser/mainThreadStorage.ts#L77) | Web extension-storage casing migration: remove after six months | Sandeep Somavarapu, 2022-01 | @sandy081 | |
| [src/vs/workbench/contrib/scm/common/scmService.ts:316](src/vs/workbench/contrib/scm/common/scmService.ts#L316) | Change migration behavior from January 2024 onward | Joao Moreno, 2023-09 | `*` @lszomoru | |
| [extensionsProfileScannerService.ts:235](src/vs/platform/extensionManagement/common/extensionsProfileScannerService.ts#L235), [extensionsProfileScannerService.ts:247](src/vs/platform/extensionManagement/common/extensionsProfileScannerService.ts#L247) | Remove old-location migrations after a couple releases | Sandeep Somavarapu, 2022-11/12 | @sandy081 | |
| [src/vs/workbench/contrib/notebook/browser/notebookOptions.ts:181](src/vs/workbench/contrib/notebook/browser/notebookOptions.ts#L181) | Remove deprecated-setting migration after a few iterations | Peng Lyu, 2023-02 | `*` @roblourens | ✅ |
| [authenticationExtensionsService.ts:203](src/vs/workbench/services/authentication/browser/authenticationExtensionsService.ts#L203) | Remove after a couple iterations | Tyler Leonhardt, 2024-09 | @TylerLeonhardt | |
| [authenticationMcpService.ts:258](src/vs/workbench/services/authentication/browser/authenticationMcpService.ts#L258) | Remove after a couple iterations | Tyler Leonhardt, 2025-05 | @TylerLeonhardt | |
| [mainThreadAuthentication.ts:553](src/vs/workbench/api/browser/mainThreadAuthentication.ts#L553), [mainThreadAuthentication.ts:556](src/vs/workbench/api/browser/mainThreadAuthentication.ts#L556) | Temporary telemetry; remove in a few iterations | Tyler Leonhardt, 2024-11 | @TylerLeonhardt | |
| [src/vs/platform/extensionManagement/node/extensionManagementService.ts:566](src/vs/platform/extensionManagement/node/extensionManagementService.ts#L566) | Remove initialization after a couple releases | Sandeep Somavarapu, 2025-01 | @sandy081 | |
| [src/vs/workbench/contrib/chat/common/languageModelStats.ts:32](src/vs/workbench/contrib/chat/common/languageModelStats.ts#L32) | Remove after a while | Sandeep Somavarapu, 2025-01 | @sandy081 | |
| [dynamicAuthenticationProviderStorageService.ts:124](src/vs/workbench/services/authentication/browser/dynamicAuthenticationProviderStorageService.ts#L124) | Migration: remove after one or two iterations | Tyler Leonhardt, 2025-06 | @TylerLeonhardt | |
| [accountAccess.ts:125](extensions/microsoft-authentication/src/common/accountAccess.ts#L125), [publicClientCache.ts:54](extensions/microsoft-authentication/src/node/publicClientCache.ts#L54), [publicClientCache.ts:277](extensions/microsoft-authentication/src/node/publicClientCache.ts#L277), [publicClientCache.ts:302](extensions/microsoft-authentication/src/node/publicClientCache.ts#L302) | Remove after one release/version or two | Tyler Leonhardt, 2025-03 | @TylerLeonhardt | |
| [src/vs/platform/terminal/node/terminalProcess.ts:164](src/vs/platform/terminal/node/terminalProcess.ts#L164) | The node-pty environment type now accepts `string \| undefined`, matching `IProcessEnvironment`, so the compatibility cast appears removable. | Daniel Imms, 2021-03 | `*` @anthonykim1 | |
| [src/vs/workbench/api/common/extHost.api.impl.ts:347](src/vs/workbench/api/common/extHost.api.impl.ts#L347) | The compatibility API was waiting for GHPR and Codespaces to migrate; current code search finds no `hasSession` consumer in either first-party extension repository. | Tyler Leonhardt, 2021-10 | @TylerLeonhardt | |
| [src/vs/code/browser/workbench/workbench.ts:331](src/vs/code/browser/workbench/workbench.ts#L331) | The GitHub-authentication URL-callback special case points to [microsoft/vscode-dev#62](https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-dev/issues/62), which closed in 2021. | Benjamin Pasero, 2022-01; TODO names Joao Moreno | `*` @aeschli | |
| [src/vs/workbench/contrib/welcomeGettingStarted/browser/gettingStarted.ts:336](src/vs/workbench/contrib/welcomeGettingStarted/browser/gettingStarted.ts#L336) | The compatibility check says to remove it when `workbench.welcomePage.preferReducedMotion` is deprecated, and that setting now has a deprecation message directing users to `workbench.reduceMotion`. | Jackson Kearl, 2022-03 | `*` @lramos15 | |
| [extHostTypes.ts:2929](src/vs/workbench/api/common/extHostTypes.ts#L2929), [extHostTypes.ts:2941](src/vs/workbench/api/common/extHostTypes.ts#L2941), [extHostTypes.ts:2953](src/vs/workbench/api/common/extHostTypes.ts#L2953) | The test-coverage API is finalized with `executed`; these `executionCount` aliases only preserve the old proposed shape. | Connor Peet, 2024-02 | @connor4312 | |
| [chatParticipantTelemetry.ts:321](extensions/copilot/src/extension/prompt/node/chatParticipantTelemetry.ts#L321), [chatParticipantTelemetry.ts:448](extensions/copilot/src/extension/prompt/node/chatParticipantTelemetry.ts#L448) | The temporary patch-response telemetry points to [microsoft/vscode-copilot#16608](https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-copilot/issues/16608), which closed in 2025-07. | Bulk Copilot extension import; TODO names Connor Peet | @connor4312 | |
| [extensions/copilot/src/platform/authentication/common/copilotToken.ts:278](extensions/copilot/src/platform/authentication/common/copilotToken.ts#L278) | The `unconfigured` telemetry-consent state is documented as pre-GA and removable post-GA. | Bulk Copilot extension import, 2025-06 | `*` @connor4312 | |
| [extensions/copilot/src/extension/prompts/node/base/common.tsx:9](extensions/copilot/src/extension/prompts/node/base/common.tsx#L9) | The class is explicitly deprecated as a workaround for [microsoft/vscode-prompt-tsx#90](https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-prompt-tsx/issues/90), whose fix was merged in 2024. | Bulk Copilot extension import, 2025-06 | `*` @connor4312 | |
| [src/vs/workbench/contrib/terminalContrib/chat/browser/terminalChatActions.ts:45](src/vs/workbench/contrib/terminalContrib/chat/browser/terminalChatActions.ts#L45) | The elevated keybinding weight was meant to override an extension-contributed binding, but the current Copilot extension no longer contributes that binding. | Daniel Imms, 2024-03 | `*` @meganrogge | |
| [src/vs/server/node/serverConnectionToken.ts:20](src/vs/server/node/serverConnectionToken.ts#L20) | `ServerConnectionTokenType.Optional` has carried a “remove soon” comment since 2022, and every production token is still constructed as either `None` or `Mandatory`. | Alex Dima, 2022-01 | @alexdima | |
| [extensions/github-authentication/src/github.ts:281](extensions/github-authentication/src/github.ts#L281) | The `scopesSeen` compatibility set has an eventual-removal comment, but current code only adds values and never reads them, so it has no effect. | Tyler Leonhardt, 2021-12 | @TylerLeonhardt | |
| [extensions/copilot/src/extension/tools/common/toolNames.ts:111](extensions/copilot/src/extension/tools/common/toolNames.ts#L111) | `ContributedToolName.RunTests` is deprecated in favor of the core run-tests tool and has no remaining references outside its declaration. | Connor Peet, 2025-07 | @connor4312 | |
| [src/vs/workbench/contrib/chat/common/model/chatSessionStore.ts:576](src/vs/workbench/contrib/chat/common/model/chatSessionStore.ts#L576) | The pre-1.109 session guard has passed its stated transition period; moreover, inside `??=` the value is necessarily nullish, so its `Pending` and `NeedsInput` checks cannot be true. | Connor Peet, 2026-01 | @connor4312 | |

## Could Be Removable, but Needs Owner Judgment

| Location | Temporary/removal marker | Original attribution | Assignee | Done |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [menubar.ts:60](src/vs/platform/menubar/electron-main/menubar.ts#L60), [menubar.ts:265](src/vs/platform/menubar/electron-main/menubar.ts#L265) | This retains old Electron `Menu` objects for ten seconds to avoid garbage-collection crashes; [electron/electron#14213](https://github.com/electron/electron/issues/14213) closed only because the reported Electron version was unsupported, not because a fix was recorded. | SteVen Batten, 2018-10 | @sbatten | ✅ still needed |
| [workspaceEditingService.ts:201](src/vs/workbench/services/workspaces/electron-browser/workspaceEditingService.ts#L201) | Remote workspace transitions still reload the whole window instead of restarting extension hosts, and no linked tracker establishes whether restart now works. | Benjamin Pasero, 2019-10; TODO names Martin Aeschlimann | @aeschli | |
| [src/vs/platform/telemetry/common/telemetry.ts:108](src/vs/platform/telemetry/common/telemetry.ts#L108), [telemetryUtils.ts:141](src/vs/platform/telemetry/common/telemetryUtils.ts#L141) | The deprecated `telemetry.enableTelemetry` setting still overrides `telemetry.telemetryLevel`; removal is technically straightforward but could re-enable telemetry for users carrying the old persisted opt-out. | Logan Ramos, 2021-09 | @lramos15 | |
| [build/linux/libcxx-fetcher.ts:6](build/linux/libcxx-fetcher.ts#L6) | This custom libc++ fetcher was waiting for [electron/rebuild#703](https://github.com/electron/rebuild/pull/703), but that PR closed unmerged in 2021 and the comment does not identify a replacement. | Deepak Mohan, 2021-08 | @deepak1556 | ✅ |
| [src/vs/workbench/api/common/extHostTimeline.ts:159](src/vs/workbench/api/common/extHostTimeline.ts#L159) | This converts the deprecated `TimelineItem.detail` shape to `tooltip`; removal depends on old timeline providers no longer sending `detail`. | Jackson Kearl, 2022-03 | `*` @lramos15 | |
| [src/vs/workbench/contrib/webview/browser/pre/index.html:507](src/vs/workbench/contrib/webview/browser/pre/index.html#L507) | This still exposes the deprecated `data-vscode-theme-name` attribute to webview content, so removal depends on third-party webviews no longer reading it. | Ping Ren, 2022-09 | `*` @deepak1556 | |
| [backLayerWebView.ts:1105](src/vs/workbench/contrib/notebook/browser/view/renderers/backLayerWebView.ts#L1105) | This translates the old notebook error-renderer line-number query into the current URI fragment, but the comment does not say whether old renderer links can still arrive. | Peng Lyu, 2022-12 | `*` @amunger | |
| [cli/src/state.rs:137](cli/src/state.rs#L137) | This still renames the old `~/.vscode-cli` data directory into the current CLI data directory, so removal depends on whether skipped-version upgrades remain supported. | Connor Peet, 2023-05 | @connor4312 | |
| [src/vs/workbench/contrib/terminal/common/terminalEnvironment.ts:387](src/vs/workbench/contrib/terminal/common/terminalEnvironment.ts#L387) | This falls back to the last active workspace when a terminal cwd cannot be mapped, despite the comment calling that source unreliable; the user-visible effect of deleting it needs confirmation. | Daniel Imms, 2023-05 | `*` @meganrogge | |
| [paneCompositeBar.ts:42](src/vs/workbench/browser/parts/paneCompositeBar.ts#L42), [paneCompositeBar.ts:50](src/vs/workbench/browser/parts/paneCompositeBar.ts#L50) | These fields read the pre-migration `visible` value from persisted pane-composite state, so removal depends on the supported age of stored profiles. | Sandeep Somavarapu, 2023-10 | @sandy081 | |
| [hoverDelegate.ts:72](src/vs/base/browser/ui/hover/hoverDelegate.ts#L72), [hover.ts:118](src/vs/platform/hover/browser/hover.ts#L118) | `showNativeHover` and `nativeHoverDelegate` are explicitly a temporary context-view fix, but there is no linked issue establishing whether the underlying problem still reproduces. | Benjamin Simmonds, 2024-02 | @benibenj | ✅ still needed |
| [src/vs/workbench/contrib/comments/browser/commentReply.ts:96](src/vs/workbench/contrib/comments/browser/commentReply.ts#L96) | Comment-input URIs still duplicate extension and thread identifiers in query parameters until comment extensions consistently use the URI authority. | Matt Bierner, 2024-04 | `*` @alexr00 | ✅ |
| [extHostWorkspace.ts:882](src/vs/workbench/api/common/extHostWorkspace.ts#L882), [searchExtConversionTypes.ts:14](src/vs/workbench/services/search/common/searchExtConversionTypes.ts#L14) | These preserve the old proposed search-provider shapes; first-party adoption may be complete, but marketplace extensions and persisted extension versions still need consideration. | Andrea Mah, 2024-08 | `*` @roblourens | ✅ |
| [extensions/github-authentication/src/github.ts:23](extensions/github-authentication/src/github.ts#L23), [github.ts:279](extensions/github-authentication/src/github.ts#L279) | This migrates persisted GitHub authentication sessions whose account ID was accidentally stored as a number, so removal depends on the oldest supported user data. | Tyler Leonhardt, 2024-09 | @TylerLeonhardt | |
| [authProvider.ts:115](extensions/microsoft-authentication/src/node/authProvider.ts#L115), [cachedPublicClientApplication.ts:207](extensions/microsoft-authentication/src/node/cachedPublicClientApplication.ts#L207), [publicClientCache.ts:128](extensions/microsoft-authentication/src/node/publicClientCache.ts#L128) | These migrate refresh tokens and sessions from the pre-MSAL authentication flow, so deletion depends on whether users can still upgrade with that old secret-storage data. | Tyler Leonhardt, 2024-11 | @TylerLeonhardt | |
| [inlineCompletionsModel.ts:230](src/vs/editor/contrib/inlineCompletions/browser/model/inlineCompletionsModel.ts#L230), [editorOptions.ts:4636](src/vs/editor/common/config/editorOptions.ts#L4636) | The experimental `editor.inlineSuggest.triggerCommandOnProviderChange` branch has a TODO to always use the selective provider-refresh path; removal depends on whether that experiment has concluded. | Henning Dieterichs, 2025-07 | @hediet | |
| [src/vs/workbench/contrib/chat/common/attachments/chatVariableEntries.ts:289](src/vs/workbench/contrib/chat/common/attachments/chatVariableEntries.ts#L289) | The `fileName` field is read only from old serialized chat paste entries, so removal depends on the retention policy for stored chat history. | Connor Peet, 2025-06 | @connor4312 | |
| [extensions/copilot/src/extension/linkify/common/commands.ts:8](extensions/copilot/src/extension/linkify/common/commands.ts#L8) | These aliases preserve old Copilot command IDs, and deletion may still affect external command links, keybindings, or extensions. | Bulk Copilot extension import, 2025-06 | `*` @connor4312 | |

## Future-Dated Cleanups Not Yet Stale

- [src/vs/workbench/services/accounts/browser/defaultAccount.ts:330](src/vs/workbench/services/accounts/browser/defaultAccount.ts#L330):
remove after August 2026.
- [localAgentHostSessionsProvider.ts:45](src/vs/sessions/contrib/providers/agentHost/browser/localAgentHostSessionsProvider.ts#L45),
[remoteAgentHostSessionsProvider.ts:45](src/vs/sessions/contrib/providers/remoteAgentHost/browser/remoteAgentHostSessionsProvider.ts#L45), and
[sessionsListModelService.ts:140](src/vs/sessions/services/sessions/browser/sessionsListModelService.ts#L140):
remove after October 14, 2026.