Dark mode is coming
- This post was originally published on Diff.
- Olga Vasileva, Szymon Grabarczuk, and Jon Robson are the Wikimedia Foundation's Web Team Project Manager, Lead Community Relations Specialist, and Web Software Developer respectively.
| “ | When we’re at night, the white skin of Wikipedia dazzles us and it’s very uncomfortable. I suggest a night mode switch for users or at least a darker color. Also available for the mobile version. | ” |
| — VictorPines, 2017 | ||
| “ | Some kind of toggleable dark or night-mode. It would be most accessible as a feature for everyone and not just a new skin for logged-in users. | ” |
| — Premeditated Chaos, 2018 | ||
| “ | Colors of Wikimedia projects are white or near white, which on long view time causes damage to eyes, and consumes more energy on the laptop. | ” |
| — David L, 2021 | ||
| “ | Please add dark mode!! | ” |
| — Crenshire, 2023 | ||
The Wikimedia Foundation has seen many requests like these. Dark mode is available in the Wikipedia mobile apps, but still not in the web browser. It’s been a common request from editors in the Community Wishlist Surveys and the rollouts of the Vector 2022 skin — hundreds of comments! We would like to thank for all these.
Some time ago, a few Foundation staff members, Volker, Alex, Carolyn, and MusikAnimal, built a dark mode script as an experiment. It has become a popular gadget across wikis. But until this year, making dark mode a regular part of the interface was not possible. Now, with help from communities, we are finally ready to work on this feature! Continue reading to learn about the benefits of dark mode, what made it possible, and how to get involved.