Themes and appearance

Helm has five built-in themes. Plugins can add more themes (Theme plugins). The built-in themes are:

Change the theme

1. Open the settings. Click the cog button at the bottom of the left rail, or press Ctrl+,.
2. In System settings, select Appearance.
3. Under Theme, click a theme.

Helm applies the theme immediately. Helm keeps your choice in this browser on this computer.

Theme plugins

A theme plugin adds one or more themes. A theme plugin has no code. It only sets colours, fonts, corners and shadows, so it makes no calls and no writes.

1. Install the plugin: in System settings → Plugins, or with helm plugin add <name> in a terminal. See Plugins.
2. Under Installed, review the plugin. Helm shows each theme and its contrast warnings. Click Approve these declarations.
3. In Appearance → Theme, click the new theme. Its card shows From {plugin}.

You do not enable a theme for each workspace. An approved theme is available in every workspace.

If a theme does not meet the WCAG AA contrast level (4.5:1) for its text, Helm still offers it. Its card and its plugin review show Below AA contrast. Some text can be difficult to read in that theme.

If you remove the plugin, or an update of the plugin is not approved yet, Helm changes to Holographic HUD. Select the theme again after you approve the update.

To make your own theme, see theme.md in the SDK contracts.

Effects

Under Effects in the Appearance section:

• Scanlines shows scan lines on the screen. It is on by default.
• Reduce motion turns off view entrances, glitches, pulses and the moving aurora. It is off by default.

Helm also reduces motion if your operating system asks for reduced motion.

Keyboard shortcuts

System settings → Shortcuts shows the same list.