Why remove or hide the Incoming Outgoing Changes Graph?
When working in Visual Studio Code, I noticed a small yet persistent distraction: the Incoming/Outgoing changes graph. This feature was introduced here but I found it more distracting than useful in my workflow. So, I decided to remove it, and in this post, I’ll walk you through how you can do the same if you’re in a similar situation.
Thank me by sharing on Twitter 🙏
How to Disable the Incoming/Outgoing Changes Graph
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to remove this graph in VSCode:
Open the settings editor. You can do this in several ways:
Windows:
- Navigate to
File > Preferences > Settings - Use the Command Palette by pressing
Ctrl + Shift + P, then type “Preferences: Open Settings” - Use the keyboard shortcut
Ctrl + ,(comma)
Mac:
SanDisk 256GB Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter - Up to 150MB/s, C10, U1, Full HD, A1, MicroSD Card - SDSQUAC-256G-GN6MA [New Version]
$21.99 (as of October 18, 2025 00:44 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
AI Guide for Beginners: How to Use AI Prompts & Master Artificial Intelligence in 4 Practical Days (21 Days To Make Money With AI Book 1)
$2.99 (as of October 17, 2025 18:05 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Highwings 4K HDMI Cable 6.6FT/2m | High-Speed HDMI 2.0 Quality Cord 4K@60Hz, Braided Nylon & Gold Connectors, HDR, Ethernet, ARC, 3D, HDCP 2.2, Compatible for PS-5/4/3/ HDTV/Monitor/DVD/Streaming
$5.99 (as of October 18, 2025 00:44 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)- Navigate to
Code > Settings > Settings - Use the Command Palette by pressing
Cmd + Shift + P, then type “Preferences: Open Settings” - Use the keyboard shortcut
Cmd + ,(comma)
User Settings
- Search for the setting. Type “showhistorygraph” in the search bar at the top.
- Uncheck the option. You’ll see the “SCM: Show History Graph” setting. Simply uncheck it to disable the graph.
User Settings (JSON)
Alternatively, you can manually update your user settings:
{
...,
"scm.showHistoryGraph": false
...,
}Conclusion
Visual Studio Code is an excellent editor largely because of how customizable it is. While the Incoming/Outgoing changes graph might be useful for some, it didn’t fit my workflow. If you’re like me and prefer a more focused coding environment, following the steps above can help you declutter your workspace. Sometimes, less really is more when it comes to productivity.
I hope this guide helps you tailor VSCode to better suit your needs!
