Placeholder text used as the only visible label for Search input field: A11y_VisualStudioCode_Labels or Instructions

## GitHub Tags
#A11yTCS; #Visual Studio Code Client; #SH_Integrated browser features_Win32_JUNE2026; #DesktopApp; #FTP; #Win32; #A11ySev3; #A11yMAS; #WCAG3.3.2; #Labels or Instructions;  #a11ydb-placeholder-as-label; #SCIM:Bug5401822;

## Issue Subcategory
Placeholder used as the only label

## User Experience
Low vision users may not be able to read the placeholder text since it is typically low in contrast, or can be cut off if enlarging text or increasing the zoom level of a page. People with cognitive disabilities, such as those who have short term memory, may not understand or remember what input is expected, and may lose the only available hint once they begin typing.

## Repro Steps
Open VS code > Open quick access > Observe the issue

## Actual Result
The search field uses placeholder text as the only visual label. After text is entered, the placeholder disappears and the purpose of the field is no longer visible. Any tooltip associated with the field should not be considered an adequate visual label because tooltips are only displayed on hover or focus and are not persistently visible to all users.

## Expected Result
The search/edit field should have a persistent visible text label that remains available before and after user input. Placeholder text may be provided as supplementary guidance but should not be the sole visual label. Users should be able to identify the purpose of the field without relying on placeholder text or tooltips.

## How to Fix
Provide a persistent visible label associated with ``, and reserve placeholder text for supplemental hints only. If your project uses a design system or component library, its text-field component may already keep the label visible — confirm in its accessibility documentation that the label is associated with the input.

## Environment details
Application Name: VS Code (1.38.0)
Edition Windows 11 Enterprise
Version 25H2
OS build 26200.8390

## Note

- Please do not close this bug. This bug should only be closed by TCS, C+AI Accessibility tester after bug verification.
- "[Check out Accessibility Insights!](https://nam06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https://accessibilityinsights.io/&data=02%7c01%7cv-stfe%40microsoft.com%7cb67b2c4b646d4f9561a208d6f4b5c39b%7c72f988bf86f141af91ab2d7cd011db47%7c1%7c0%7c636965458850501301&sdata=mxhokIKNMb22llsjXHLgU3XZibj1Qfx37rpY4PU2sfE%3D&reserved=0) - Identify accessibility bugs before check-in and make bug fixing faster and easier."
-
## Attachment