How can I have multiple platform-specific workspace settings.json files? Is it possible?

Question

Is there a way in Microsoft VS Code to create two files for settings.json (different names or different subfolder) and switch between them?

Background: We use the Java Extension in VS Code. Our source code repository contains the settings for a Java project in a Unix environment. In specific cases we want to run the code in Windows environment and need a different settings.json.

Answer 1

Is there a way in Microsoft VS Code to create two files for settings.json (different names or different subfolder) and switch between them?

Not by default- no.

You can wait for this feature-request gets implemented (though you might be waiting a while): Allow to scope settings by platform #5595. ^{_{You can show your support for the issue ticket by giving a thumbs up reaction to the issue. But please don't make a "me too" comment. "me too" comments generally come off as annoying to repo maintainers because they clutter up discussion and don't contribute anything of significant value.}}

In the meantime, you could create a script to do so with your technology of choice and write a VS Code task to run the script, but that sounds like a footgun for accidental thrashy git changes. I'd instead suggest writing two template files named something like .vscode/settings.unix.json and .vscode/settings.windows.json and committing those to version control, but putting .vscode/settings.json in the gitignore.

Certain other settings already have mechanisms to allow you have different values for different platforms: terminal profile definitions, and keybindings. But those are more user settings and not workspace settings.

You may also find the Profiles feature useful.