How to Change Global Theme Settings (Primary Color, Fonts, Button Styles) for All Users, Not Just Admins

[Steve_John]

Hi all,

I’ve updated my Custom Discourse theme’s primary color settings (font type, button color, text color, and hover effects) to match my brand. When I preview or apply the changes as an admin, everything looks correct with my custom color scheme.

However, for regular (non-admin) users, the interface still shows the default Discourse blue color for fonts, buttons, and hover states.

I’d like to make these style changes global so they apply to all users by default.

Here’s what I’ve tried so far:

• Changed colors in Admin > Customize > Colors for the active theme

• Updated the font type and hover styles in the theme’s CSS/SCSS

• Checked that the theme is set as default

Still, non-admin accounts see the old Discourse blue in certain places (like links, button backgrounds, and hover effects).

Question:
What’s the correct way to apply these primary color and style changes globally for all users, overriding the default Discourse blue, without requiring them to manually switch to the theme in preferences?

Thanks in advance!

[NateDhaliwal]

Hi there, you could either create a custom vomponent, or set the color pallet as the default.

You may want to see:

Setting up light and dark mode color palettes

This guide explains how to set up light and dark mode color palettes for your Discourse site’s theme. It covers per-theme configuration, palette assignment, and user interface considerations. Required user level: Administrator Configuring distinct light and dark mode color palettes allows you to present your Discourse community in a way that aligns with your brand, improves accessibility, and gives your users control over their viewing experience. The recent …

And:

Allow users to select new color palettes

This is a guide for making new color palette available for all users to choose from their profile preferences. Required user level: Administrator Include a new color palette Go to Admin → Appearance → Color Palettes Create a new color palette by clicking on the + New button Select the preferred base color palette from the list Check the Color palette can be selected by users option Make the appropriate palette adjustments, if needed Save the color palette …

[Steve_John]

we did set the Color palettes…but this color change happens to Admin user only..not for generic site user::

[Moin]

Is that color palette the default color palette on your site?

As an admin, you will see the theme and color palette you selected in your preferences. Users will also see the theme and palette they selected. Visitors will see the default theme and the default color palette configured for that theme. Is that “Light” for everyone?

Are you on a recent version of Discourse? There were lots of changes to themes and color palettes recently.

[Steve_John]

we are currently with 3.5.0.beta6-dev and Default Light -color palette:: As mentioned by you, this is exact behaviour happening :: As an admin, you will see the theme and color palette you selected in your preferences. Users will also see the theme and palette they selected.

[Steve_John]

upgrade discourse to latest one – 3.5.0.beta9-dev