# Improved dark and light mode handling 🎨

**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/improved-dark-and-light-mode-handling/376662
**Category:** Announcements
**Tags:** color-palettes
**Created:** [August 4, 2025, 7:30am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/improved-dark-and-light-mode-handling/376662 "2025-08-04T07:30:55Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Showing post:** 1

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### Author: ![hugh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/hugh/32/336717_2.png) [@hugh](https://meta.discourse.org/u/hugh)
#### Post date: [August 4, 2025, 7:30am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/improved-dark-and-light-mode-handling/376662/1 "2025-08-04T07:30:55Z")

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We’re excited to announce improvements to how Discourse handles dark and light modes!

These changes will make it easier for site admins to set their preferred light and dark mode palettes, while simplifying palette and mode selection for users.

## What’s Changed?

The old `Default dark mode color scheme ID` site setting has been removed for a more flexible approach:

### Per-theme control

Now, each theme allows you to set both a preferred light and dark mode color palette directly from the theme’s settings page.

 ![Light and dark mode color palette options on the theme settings page.](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/4X/a/4/e/a4e2dafec5c14d40e45a1833c2fb31b940e7bcf0.png)

> ℹ The old site setting has been migrated to this new theme setting to provide a seamless transition.

### Easier management

You can also configure these palettes on [the recently updated color palette list page](https://meta.discourse.org/t/a-new-way-to-manage-colour-palettes/375188), helping you keep your site’s appearance consistent and on-brand **from one interface**.

 ![Options on each palette to set them as the default theme's dark and light modes.](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/4X/f/9/f/f9f48f2470f3e738034da016f7ee2d9dd8ef85f4.jpeg)

### User control

Users can choose their **preferred mode** (Light, Dark, or Auto) in their user preferences, making it easier for everyone to personalize their experience.

 ![A new mode selector is now available in the user preferences for all users.](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/4X/6/4/0/640bfdc16b49ec917cd9af149cdc9877609cb63f.png)

* * *

These changes make Discourse theming smoother for site admins, providing more control over how you present your brand to your members.

Read the full documentation for managing dark and light modes for your site here:

> [@Setting up light and dark mode color palettes](https://meta.discourse.org/t/setting-up-light-and-dark-mode-color-palettes/376667):
>
> bookmark 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. person_raising_hand 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 …

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_[View the full topic](https://meta.discourse.org/t/improved-dark-and-light-mode-handling/376662)._