I have a black-and-white Boox Mira e-ink monitor, which is comfortable to use for long periods without eye strain or headaches. I'd like to start learning programming again, especially Rust, but I need syntax highlighting that works without relying on color. Is it possible to distinguish syntax using bold, italics, underlining, or other font variations? I'm interested in configuring VS Code, but I'm also open to using another editor or IDE.
3 Answers
It’s worth checking exactly what your monitor supports. If it can display several shades of gray, a grayscale theme may work well. If it only displays black and white, font weight and style can still help, although the slow refresh rate of e-ink displays may make rapid editing less comfortable.
VS Code can use monochrome themes, including its built-in high-contrast options and extensions designed for black-and-white displays. You can also customize token rules so different syntax elements use font styles such as bold or italics instead of different colors.
Emacs is another good option. Some of its black-and-white themes distinguish code with typography rather than color, using things like italics, bold text, and underlining. It may take more setup than VS Code, but it gives you a lot of control.
Many e-ink displays can show multiple gray levels, similar to an e-reader. They’re generally excellent for reading and static text, but fast scrolling and frequent screen updates can still feel sluggish.