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OSC 633;C pre-execution

Category: extensions · Baseline: rich · Tags: Operating System Commands (OSC), VS Code Extensions · Specification ↗

ESC ] 633 ; C BEL

OSC 633;C is VS Code's pre-execution marker, emitted just before a command begins executing. It mirrors OSC 133;C and marks the boundary between the command line and command output.

VS Code uses this marker to start tracking command duration, group output for the run-recent-command picker, and prepare command decoration UI. When combined with OSC 633;D, it gives VS Code precise timing for each command execution.

How this is testedpartial
Send OSC 633 ; C BEL and verify the terminal consumes the sequence (cursor doesn't advance, terminal remains responsive).

The same probe runs against headless backends (via Termless) and real terminal apps (via a daemon launched in each terminal). This lets us distinguish parser correctness from rendering correctness.

Analysis2026-04-06

Supported by all 9 tested terminals — universal adoption. Part of the Rich TUI baseline.

Supported by 11 of 14 backends (79%)

Terminal Applications

TerminalVersionSupportNotes
iTerm23.6.9✓ yes
Ghostty1.3.1✓ yes
Terminal.app2.15✓ yes
Kitty0.46.2✓ yes
VS Code1.113.0? unknown
Warp0.2026.03.18.08.24.03? unknown
Cursor2.6.21? unknown

Headless Backends

Parser correctness only — a means the parser accepts the sequence.

BackendVersionSupportNotes
Alacritty0.26.0✓ yes
vt100.js0.2.1✓ yes
vterm0.2.0✓ yes
WezTerm0.1.0-fork.5✓ yes
xterm.js5.5.0✓ yes