Preparing your community for behind-the-scenes header changes

News and Events Announcements

AI-generated summary

Discourse has rolled out a modernized header implementation with enhanced customization APIs. Sites with compatible themes/plugins automatically use the new header; incompatible ones receive admin warnings since June 20th (v3.3.0.beta3) to update via the instructions topic. From August 5th (v3.4.0.beta1), the new header is enabled by default for all sites, though admins could previously toggle back via the “glimmer header mode” setting. By September 2nd, this fallback option is removed entirely. th21 reported the setting missing in v3.4.0.beta2-dev, suspecting it’s due to upgrading from an older version. Firepup650 confirmed the setting is gone, meaning the new header is now mandatory. Moin and th21 referenced documentation stating “auto” mode would activate once themes/plugins are compatible — but th21 noted their component theme (Group-Specific Toolbar) stopped working post-update, despite expecting “auto” to handle compatibility. David clarified the setting is fully removed: all sites now use the new header, and admins must update themes/plugins per the upgrade guide to restore functionality. Support is available in the instructions topic or via hosting providers.

1

Discourse is now shipping with a more modern implementation of the header, including more flexible and robust customization APIs. The new version has already been automatically enabled for sites with compatible themes & plugins.

For incompatible sites, a banner is being shown to admins warning them to take action before the old header implementation is removed. If you see this banner, follow the linked instructions to update your customizations. If you don’t see the banner, then your site is ready, and you don’t need to do anything.

Warning banners have been shown to admins since 20th June (v3.3.0.beta3).

From the week commencing 5th August (v3.4.0.beta1), we will enable the new header by default for all sites, even if they have incompatible customizations. It will still be possible for admins to switch back to the old header by manually setting the “glimmer header mode” site setting to “disabled”.

From the week commencing 2nd September, the option to use the old header will be removed entirely.

If you need help getting your site ready, please post in the instructions topic or speak to your hosting provider.

15 Likes
ActivityPub Plugin
Updated Custom Header Icon: Post Data via URL
2

glimmer header mode site setting is missing on 3.4.0.beta2-dev 0923f5e3a7 , any idea why it happen? is it because I upgrade from an rather old version of discourse?

1 Like
3

Looks like the option to disable it has been removed entirely by this point.

Meaning that you have it enabled right now, and you can’t back out of it.

2 Likes
4

I see, I remember read somewhere said the setting will be set to auto after some time point but I couldn’t find it…

1 Like
5

It is in the instructions topic linked in the OP

2 Likes
6

under the setting it said: ‘auto’ will be enabled automatically after all themes and plugins are ready. Preparing your community for behind-the-scenes header changes

from:

my component theme (Group specific tool bar) is working when I set the option to auto, but it’s not working after updating, but shouldn’t it still work if it will be set to ‘auto’ ?

1 Like
7

The ‘glimmer header mode’ setting has been removed in the latest version of Discourse, and the new implementation is used on all sites.

So you’ll need to follow the upgrade instructions to make your theme compatible with the change.

4 Likes