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.
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.
My example includes two Themes.
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 I figured it out. So when creating a new named Theme with this dialogue the base theme will be the Discourse “Default” one?
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 
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