Agent Mode pauses when VS Code loses focus

[lumaxis]

Does this issue occur when all extensions are disabled?: N/A

Version: 1.102.0-insider
Commit: e2d78c8
Date: 2025-06-25T05:03:42.078Z
Electron: 35.5.1
ElectronBuildId: 11727614
Chromium: 134.0.6998.205
Node.js: 22.15.1
V8: 13.4.114.21-electron.0
OS: Darwin arm64 24.5.0

When using Agent Mode on macOS, I noticed that it pauses its work whenever I move away from the editor window. Specifically, I'm using macOS's "spaces" feature. VS Code is on a separate space and when I switch to another space (for example to use a browser or any other app), I noticed that Agent Mode has not made any progress since I left when I switch back. It immediately continues once the editor window regains focus.

cc @isidorn

[isidorn]

I do not really know how spaces could influence agent mode flow. Might it stop the app in some way?

Assigning first to @bpasero to get his thoughts.

fyi @roblourens

[bpasero]

@lumaxis are you using Copilot chat in a floating window or its default view location in the side bar?

[lumaxis]

@bpasero This is with the default side bar on the right

[bpasero]

@roblourens have you ever gotten an issue like this?

One thing to note is that a non-focused window might begin to throttle timeouts and intervals.

//cc @connor4312

[connor4312]

🤷 I would guess we're getting some OS or electron level suspension mechanism going on.

[roblourens]

Yes, microsoft/vscode-copilot-release#9109. And I also guess that it's an OS power-saving thing, or just the view stops updating.

[deepak1556]

Yup thats the default renderer throttling for occluded windows, not sure what should be done here other than providing a flag to disable it.