Inline code becomes unreadable in VS Code high-contrast themes #13424

Description

When using the Continue extension for VS Code with the built-in high-contrast color themes, inline code in assistant responses can become unreadable because the text foreground and background colors do not have sufficient contrast.

This occurs with both Dark High Contrast and Light High Contrast. Standard dark and light themes appear to work correctly.

For example, in the following assistant response:

If this is a utility function used frequently in a game engine or math library: Go with the Math.Clamp version (Option 2) if you want it as tight as...

The Math.Clamp identifier is rendered in black against a black background, while the surrounding text is visible.

Steps to reproduce

Open VS Code with the Continue extension installed.

Set the color theme to Dark High Contrast or Light High Contrast.

Ask Continue a question that produces an answer containing inline code identifiers, such as Math.Clamp.

Inspect the rendered assistant response.

Expected behavior

Inline code and identifiers should remain readable in all supported VS Code themes, including both high-contrast themes. Foreground and background colors should be selected together to maintain sufficient contrast.

Actual behavior

Some inline code identifiers are rendered in a foreground color that matches or closely resembles their background, making them difficult or impossible to read.

Possible cause

The issue may be related to the Markdown renderer's CSS for inline code elements. If the renderer overrides the code background without explicitly setting a compatible foreground color, VS Code's high-contrast theme defaults may produce an unreadable combination.

A potential fix would be to use appropriate VS Code theme variables for both foreground and background colors, with accessible fallbacks.

Environment

Operating sy

em: Linux (Fedora)

Editor: Visual Studio Code

Extension: Continue

Affected themes: Dark High Contrast and Light High Contrast

Continue and VS Code versions: Not yet recorded

The issue appears to be specific to high-contrast themes rather than the model generating the response.