The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →To turn on dark mode on GitHub.com, open your profile menu, go to Settings > Appearance, and choose a dark theme under Theme mode. You can also set GitHub to follow your computer’s appearance, or choose a higher-contrast or colorblind theme.
Set a theme on GitHub.com
- Sign in to GitHub.com and open your profile menu in the upper-right corner.
- Select Settings.
- In the left sidebar, select Appearance.
- Under Theme mode, choose a dark theme for a fixed dark appearance, or choose the option that follows your system settings.
- If you chose the system-following option, select a day theme and a night theme. Choose the night theme you want GitHub to use when your system is in its night appearance.
GitHub Docs describes the setting this way: “You can manage how GitHub looks to you by setting a theme preference that either follows your system settings or always uses a light or dark mode.” You can also change theme settings through GitHub’s command palette; the documentation does not specify a keyboard shortcut for this setting. GitHub’s theme settings documentation explains the available preferences. A theme marked as a public preview must first be enabled through feature preview.
Choose a theme that suits your needs
A fixed dark theme keeps GitHub dark regardless of your computer’s theme. The system-following preference lets GitHub use your selected day theme and night theme as your system appearance changes.
Dark mode is not the only alternative to the standard light appearance. GitHub also offers high-contrast and colorblind themes. If you need stronger contrast or a different color treatment, consider those options rather than assuming a standard dark theme will be the most readable for you.
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GitHub says a dark theme may reduce power use on certain devices or eye strain in low-light conditions; it also notes that some people prefer how it looks. These are qualified possibilities, not guaranteed benefits for every device, person, or setting. The theme documentation does not provide figures quantifying power or eye-strain changes.
Change GitHub Desktop separately
GitHub Desktop has its own appearance preference. Changing the theme on GitHub.com does not automatically change the Desktop app.
- On macOS: Open the GitHub Desktop menu and choose Settings.
- On Windows: Choose File > Options.
- Open Appearance and select a theme. Choose System to have GitHub Desktop match your computer’s theme.
See GitHub Desktop’s theme instructions for the app-specific setting.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If the appearance setting does not work as expected
First check that you are changing the setting in the right place: GitHub.com uses Settings > Appearance, while GitHub Desktop has a separate Appearance pane. If the website controls still behave unexpectedly, GitHub recommends using a current version of Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari. Browser extensions, cached data, device settings, and network configuration can also affect how GitHub behaves. GitHub’s connectivity troubleshooting guidance covers basic environment checks.
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