Rotating Composer Placeholder

Dev
1
:discourse2: Summary Rotating Composer Placeholder adds dynamic, rotating placeholder text to the Discourse composer, showing a different prompt each time the composer is opened.
:hammer_and_wrench: Repository Link https://github.com/Ethsim12/discourse-rotating-composer-placeholder
:open_book: New to Discourse Themes? Beginner’s guide to using Discourse Themes

Install this theme component

Features

  • Rotates the composer placeholder text each time the composer opens
  • Works for:
    • replies
    • new topic composer
  • Fully configurable via theme component settings
  • No plugin required
  • Client-side only (safe and lightweight)
  • Uses modern api-initializers

Install

  1. In Discourse Admin, go to:
    Admin → Appearance → Themes & components → Components → 3 dots

  2. Click Install.

  3. Choose From a git repository.

  4. Paste this repository URL and click Install.

Enable the theme component

Installing a theme component does not activate it automatically.
You must attach it to a theme.

  1. Go to:
    Admin → Appearance → Themes & components → Components → Rotating Composer Placeholder

  2. Click your active theme
    (for example: “Default”, “Desktop”, or your custom theme).

  3. Press the green tick box.

  4. Refresh your browser.

Once enabled, the component will immediately apply to that theme.

Configure the component

  1. Still within the theme component’s page.

  2. Edit the rotating_placeholders list.

Example values:

  • What did you try? Include steps to reproduce.
  • One idea per reply. If it’s a new issue, start a new topic.
  • Please include: expected result, actual result, and any errors.
  • Tip: paste logs inside ```triple backticks```.

Notes:

  • Each list entry becomes a possible placeholder.
  • Empty entries are ignored.
  • If the list is empty, a default placeholder is used.

Known limitations

  • UI-only enhancement
  • Does not affect post content
  • Placeholder rotates when the composer opens
  • Future composer refactors may require minor selector updates

Compatibility

  • Designed for modern Discourse versions
  • Recommended minimum: Discourse 3.2+
  • Uses supported theme APIs only

:discourse2: Hosted by discourse.org?
Theme components are available on Discourse Standard, Business, and Enterprise plans.

1 Like
2

Can you share examples of use case?

3

I think the examples do a good job demonstrating the use case. There are lots of things to consider when composing a message. If you put just one, it’ll soon be ignored. If you put all of those, no one would read any of them. Having a different one each time increases the likelihood that someone might read and consider one of them.

You could also put funny Easter eggs.

1 Like
4

Oh , right, I didn’t even see the examples.

Game of Thrones: The Walk of Shame

2 Likes