Hi there, when using additional installed themes with Discourse it is possible to install multiple copies of the same theme (i.e. https://github.com/discourse/discourse-air) with different names, and then configure different theme components for each copy of the theme to offer different user-selectable experiences. And when the installed theme gets updated upstream, both copies of the theme on my Discourse instance are automatically updated. But what if I want to offer multiple copies of the Discourse “Default” theme? I can’t seem to find a https://github.com/discourse/* repo for the “Default” theme. I know I can export/import a copy, but I want my copy to remain linked to upstream so it gets updated, and I don’t want to deal with git or forking.

I think I figured it out. So when creating a new named Theme with this dialogue the base theme will be the Discourse “Default” one? [Screenshot from 2025-04-01 08-05-07]

Yes that works. For example on one of my sites I have a couple of themes and two installs of the Topic List Previews Theme Component which have different names and settings and are associated with a different Theme.

Hi Robert, thanks for the reply. Sorry I didn’t explain myself, I’m talking about multiple copies of the same full Theme such as the ones found in Theme - Discourse Meta, not Theme Components. It is possible to install multiple instances of the same add-on Theme, but since the Discourse “Default” Theme is not explicitly installed by the admin I don’t think it’s possible to have multiple instances of it.

Hi again, I’m referring to the Install button at /admin/customize/themes. It does not appear possible to install another instance of the Discourse “Default” theme while also maintaining its update dependence on upstream.

I think you are slightly over thinking this? The default theme is just an empty shell of a Theme repo with two files, one in a folder :slight_smile: Export it, inspect it? And a Theme is not much more than a Theme Component with “false” in the component parameter … You can definitely “install” multiple instances of a Theme. I recommend managing one on GitHub.

It is very simple as Robert said For example if I want to install “Ghost Theme” twice I simply edit the name of one Ie Ghost2 Theme

How to have multiple copies of Default theme?

Product Support

merefield (Robert) April 1, 2025, 12:56pm 5

My example includes two Themes.

Topic		Replies	Views
Default theme repository Product Support	4	330	June 23, 2024
Whats the default theme? Product Support	1	777	September 1, 2023
Update / re-download the default theme and color palette Product Support	6	774	April 6, 2023
Default theme on existing install Product Support	10	553	November 3, 2024
Native theme support Feature rfc	24	16561	April 12, 2017

How to have multiple copies of Default theme?

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