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Modus Themes

v0.2.1 · by Vitaly Slobodin · added 3 November 2026

A complete set of accessible themes for Zed editor. These themes provide high contrast and color-blind friendly color combinations, ensuring readability and comfort for all users.

Themes
Install in Forge SuperView the source

How to install

With Forge Super installed, the button above opens the app on this extension, where you press Install. Nothing is installed until you do.

You can also open the Extensions panel in the app and search for Modus Themes. The extension's id is modus-themes.

Don't have Forge Super yet? Download it here.

README

From the extension's repository, written by its authors and not by Mentenaz. See the source.

Modus Themes for Zed

Highly accessible themes for Zed, conforming with the highest standard for color contrast between background and foreground values (WCAG AAA). This is a Zed port of the original Modus Themes built for GNU Emacs.

Overview

The Modus Themes are designed with accessibility and readability as primary goals. With a minimum contrast ratio of 7:1 between foreground and background elements, they reduce eye strain during long coding sessions and ensure optimal readability for all users, including those with visual impairments.

Installation

In the command palette, choose zed: extensions then search for modus-themes.

Features

  • WCAG AAA Compliance: All color combinations meet or exceed the 7:1 contrast ratio required for WCAG AAA certification
  • Multiple Variants: Light and dark base themes (Operandi and Vivendi), plus specialized variants for different color vision deficiencies
  • Carefully Designed Syntax Highlighting: Balanced and consistent highlighting that enhances code readability
  • Optimized Terminal Support: Colors work well in both GUI and terminal environments
  • Accessibility First: Designed for users with color vision deficiencies or other visual accessibility needs

Screenshots

Modus Operandi (Light Theme)

Modus Operandi Tinted

Modus Operandi Tritanopia

Modus Operandi Deuteranopia

Modus Vivendi (Dark Theme)

Modus Vivendi Tinted

Modus Vivendi Tritanopia

Modus Vivendi Deuteranopia

Theme Variants Explained

  • Operandi: Light theme with optimal contrast
  • Vivendi: Dark theme with optimal contrast
  • Tinted: Variants with slightly colored backgrounds for a softer look
  • Tritanopia: Specifically designed for users with blue-yellow color blindness
  • Deuteranopia: Optimized for users with red-green color blindness (specifically deuteranopia)

Development

Prerequisites

  • mise for building the themes

Build Process

  1. Clone this repository:

    git clone https://github.com/vitallium/zed-modus-themes.git
cd zed-modus-themes

  2. Build the themes:

    mise build

    This process will compile the theme files and prepare them for installation.

Configuration

Adjust diff hunk contrast

If you want stronger or weaker diff hunk highlights for accessibility, use Zed's theme_overrides setting and override the diff hunk colors directly.

Higher alpha values increase contrast. For example, #00670040 is more visible than #00670028.

{
  "theme_overrides": {
    "Modus Operandi": {
      "editor.diff_hunk.added.background": "#00670040",
      "editor.diff_hunk.added.hollow_background": "#00670020",
      "editor.diff_hunk.added.hollow_border": "#00670099",
      "editor.diff_hunk.deleted.background": "#aa222240",
      "editor.diff_hunk.deleted.hollow_background": "#aa222220",
      "editor.diff_hunk.deleted.hollow_border": "#aa222299"
    }
  }
}

Replace Modus Operandi with the exact theme name you use.

Enable bold fonts (modus-themes-bold-constructs)

Use Zed's feature to override parts of the current theme:

{
  "theme_overrides": {
    "Modus Operandi": {
      "syntax": {
        "keyword": {
          "font_weight": 700
        },
        "title": {
          "font_weight": 700
        },
        "type": {
          "font_weight": 700
        },
        "variable.special": {
          "font_weight": 700
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

Remember to replace the theme name with the one you want to override.

Acknowledgements