What is the >< icon in the left of the VS Code status bar?

Question

What is the green >< icon in the left corner of my VS Code status bar? What caused it to show up?

Answer 1

The >< icon in the status bar is the Remote Window Indicator. It will only show up if you have the VS Code Remote Development extensions installed

When working in a remote workspace, the Remote Window Indicator expands to show information about the remote you are connected to:

You can click on the Remote Window Indicator to see a list of remote commands. If you are not connected to a remote workspace, these commands will help you setup a connection. If you are connected, the commands will help you manage the remote workspace.