Mathworks: it's time for a dark theme.
Antonello Zito
on 14 Mar 2022
Latest activity Reply by Mike Croucher
on 13 Jan 2025
This is not a question, but a point of discussion for the entire community. I am aware that every 1/2 months this theme comes out, but until this is not fixed it is totally necessary that this comes, indeed, out. And I said "fix" because Mathworks has to understand that a dark theme is not only a visual/aesthetic matter, it is a substantial part of the game. Most of the OS, GUIs, programs are actually in dark mode, and a vast majority of the users makes indeed use of a global dark mode. How much one does like it is personal, but the benefits to power savings and eye health is instead a fact. Mathworks being ignoring this for years is nothing but ridiculous. Of course it is not an easy task, but every minute of committment for it is worthy. And nope, Schemer is not helpful because it does not provide a real fix to this question.
I feel free to suggest something similar to the Spyder's dark theme, which came out like 2 years ago if I remember correctly.
Of course, my point is not being disrespectful (I am instead very respectful to the huge efforts of Mathworks for making this wonderful program run). But, form a user's point of view, the fact that not a single word has so far come out from Mathworks about a dark theme (meaning that for sure we will not see it in a timing of months) requires us to put a strong pressure on this.
Mathworks, please: it's time for a dark theme.
112 Comments
Time DescendingIt is done. The R2025a pre-release has just been made available and it supports Dark mode. Please take a look, try it out and give us feedback before the full release.
Using the Matlab Visual Studio Code extension you can transform VSCode into essentailly an IDE for Matlab code (.m files) and use VSCode's built-in dark theme.
A basic principle is "you must have it, but I can choose not to use it." Offering users the choice between light and dark modes is a fundamental aspect of a company's care and respect for its users. Clearly, MathWorks does not care about their users' feelings.
That is factually incorrect. You have a preference, and apparently that is shared by those around you.
I also prefer a dark theme, but at least I have the humility to know that my preference isn't universal truth.
Your claim that every single developer prefers it isn't actually proof. I personally know a dev who prefers dark mode for once language and light mode for another. So even if I take you literally, you're wrong.
@Douglas What a convincing argument. Now you've completely convinced me. /s
What exactly is the point of your comment? You don't explain in what sense a dark theme is better. There are rare cases where a dark theme is objectively better, but in the overwhelming majority of the cases it is simply preference.
Dark theme is better.
Dark Theme in MATLAB is here! It's in beta, but its here!
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