PitchDark

Latest News | Upcoming Changes | About | Download | Donate | Awards/Recognition | Changelog

Latest News

PitchDark for TB 4.0.1 is complete and submitted to Mozilla addons.
PitchDark for FX 4.0.3 is complete and submitted to Mozilla Addons.

Keep the feedback, suggestions, bug reports, and extension request coming – Feel free to leave a comment on the page or contact me.

Upcoming Changes (Reported Bugs)

Firefox/Browser

Modified icon set
Additional application compatibility:
- Flock
- K-Meleon
- Chrome
Addon fixes:
- MR Tech Toolkit(error console)

Thunderbird/Email

Addon fixes:
- Thundernote
- Xnote compatibility font color
- MR Tech Toolkit (options menu and error console) colors

About

PitchDark is a dark theme set for Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird aimed at users who prefer the negative color scheme (light text on dark background). While it is a dark theme it is designed with visibility, usability, and maximum screen real estate in mind. My inspiration was the Phoenity Dark themes (by Lim Chee Aun and Tom Wilson), which are currently outdated.

PitchDark project

Design Considerations

PitchDark is meant to maintain the light text on dark background look, but instead uses dark harmonious natural tones, with black as accents. I like grays and blacks, but most dark themes take it to an extreme. The “birch” colored dark brown was chosen specifically to avoid blending in or detracting from fresh website designs that use black and gray for webpage backgrounds.

To reduce the amount of image work required, I’ve moved to the standard icon sets for Firefox and Thunderbird. Future versions may make use of the Tango icon set or have custom icons.

Download

The lastest builds and previous versions can be found at the Mozilla Addons site:

PitchDark for Firefox: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1529
PitchDark for Thunderbird: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/2106

Donate

I’m a proponent of free software, but members of the community sometimes ask for a way to show their support. If you happen to be in a giving mood, please consider donating (securely) to me via paypal. Thanks!

Awards and Recognition

Chosen from a select group of Firefox add-ons to be included in the new Collections from Mozilla
Editors have selected PitchDark for Fx to be listed on CNET Download.com
PitchDark for Fx received “100% CLEAN” award on DownloadRoute.com
PitchDark for Fx has been listed on Softpedia’s database of MS Windows software programs and been granted the “100% Clean” award
PitchDark for Tb 2.0.2 has been tested by the Softpedia labs and found to be completely clean of adware/spyware components
Mashable.com named PitchDark for Fx one of the The Top 20 Firefox 3.0 Compatible Themes Worth Upgrading For
MakeUseOf.com named PitchDark for TB one of the 10 Best Mozilla Thunderbird Themes
Granted the “Famous Software Award” by Download.FamousWhy.com.

Changelog

Firefox

Version 4.0.3

Minor color fix for new blank tabs

Version 4.0.2

Exclude app content from Aero Glass effects (i.e. fix plugin washout problems)
Minor update to color definition in browser.css that was causing a warning

Version 4.0.1

Added compatibility for Firefox 6.*
Small visual improvements to downloads window

Version 4.0.0

Full theme update for compatibility with FX 4.0+
Added custom styling to fix bug where caption buttons appear black in maximized mode on Windows
Small image enhancements

Version 3.6.3

Fix for font colors on download window
Fix autocomplete url color on awesome bar

Version 3.6.2

Fixed extension specific theming
Adjusted menu color when browser is inactive
Fixed button colors
Removed border definitions that created warnings

Version 3.6.1

Change Chrome registration (rdf to chrome.manifest)
Fix for RSS button in address bar
Moved extensions chrome up to xpi_skins folder

Version 3.6.0

Firefox 3.6 compatibility
Fix for new tab button and scrollbar-button arrows
Color fix on Untrusted Connection page (AboutCertError)
Improved hover color for active menubar menu items
Fix for toolbarbutton border color – hover/click (pop vs. punch)
Slightly lightened up the inactive tabs color
Updated options icons
Enabled rating view in extensions window
Fix for image shift on unified key (Large back/forward) button
Fix for groupbox titles
Addon fixes
- Facebook Toolbar
- Google Toolbar (v6)
- Live Http Headers
- ReminderFox
- Update Notifier
Addon Tests (no code added, but verified compatibility)
- Feed Sidebar
- FootieFox
- Fox Clocks
- OpenBook
- Speed Dial
- WizzRSS (being retired anyway)

Version 3.5.0

Firefox 3.5 compatibility

Version 3.0.4

Fix for larger height menu items introduced in last version (now condensed again)
KwiClick compatibility

Version 3.0.3

Firefox 3.1 compatibility
aboutCertError, aboutPrivacyBrowsing, aboutSessionRestore
Color fix on “about:robots” page
Color fix on combined back/forward button
Lightened throbber color
Fix for Large back/forward button (image shift)
Sidebar text color
Sidebar close button color
Searchbar engine button fix (too rounded)
Tab bar/tab contrast adjustment
Tab icon / loading icon image change
White areas in the configuration dialogs/richlistboxs
Dropdown arrows on the navigation bar seem very small
Dropdown padding fix (main bar and bookmarks)
Changed inactive tab/textbox color to gray instead of white
Enforced 16×16 favicon for bookmarks
Changes for All in One Sidebar
DOM Inspector fixes
GoogleToolbar fixes

Version 3.0.2

Code sync and graphic update with the RC1 release
Removed unused graphics

Version 3.0.1

Fix for toolbar colors in Linux/OS X

Version 3.0.0

Complete recode from Firefox 3.0 classic theme.
Customize toolbar fix
Graphics inherited from classic theme
notification/progress bar fix
tab improvements
import screen fix
proper handling for DOM inspector
netError styling

Version 2.0.2

Code sync (communicator, global, mozapps folders) with PitchDark for TB
improved tab handling

Version 2.0.0

Compatibility fix for Firefox 2.0
Options Menu changes
Addons Menu changes
Tab bar changes

Version 1.5.6

fixed annoying pixel jump in toolbarbuttons (caused by disabled buttons having borders)
Console spacing changes

Version 1.5.5

HelpfileLayout.css added
NetError.css added
synchronized code to latest classic.jar
end of lines changed to just line feeds
all images re-exported to decrease theme size
small visibility changes

Version 1.5.4 – DROPPED

decreased tabbox size
modified splitter borders
separator size/color changes
added netError.css
small visibility changes

Version 1.5.3

extension compatibility – mininova menu, forecastfox, wellrounded, search bar style extensions
download manager visibility issues
menulist and searchbar fixes
help toolbar fixed
chevron color change
tab loading throbber color change

Version 1.5.2

numerous changes for compatibility with extensions
improves menulist borders
fixes searchbox for OSX users

Version 1.5.1

improves visibility for fonts and icons and fixes glitches with menulists

Version 1.5.0

PitchDark has been approved!
Update for Firefox 1.5
minor visibility improvements

Version 1.0

Original port from Phoenity Dark for Phoenix/Firebird(Pre-Firefox 0.7)

Thunderbird

Version 4.0.1

Bug fix for attachment list color

Version 4.0.0

Full theme update for compatibility with TB 5.0+ and Lightning 1.0+

Version 3.1.1

Fix for find button styling and toolbar (Ctrl-F)/colors on quick filter bar
Fix for Manage Identities and Config buttons being hidden in the account settings
Minor visual changes

Version 3.1.0

Updates for full compatibility with TB 3.1 and Lightning 1.0b2 (including tabbar icons)
Change Chrome registration (rdf to chrome.manifest)
Moved extensions chrome up to xpi_skins folder
Additional minor color adjustments
Image optimization to improve theme size

Version 3.0.0

Thunderbird 3.0 compatibility
Significant number of updates for tabbed messages and other changes
Visibility improvements via color fixes for many icons on compose screen and message list
Various other bug fixes/color modifications
Addon fixes
- MR Tech Toolkit
- Facebook Toolbar
- Google Toolbar (v6)
- Live Http Headers
- ReminderFox
- Update Notifier

Version 2.0.3

Lightning Compatibility
Visibility improvements via color fixes for many icons on compose screen and message list
Returned to default error console icon set
Various other bug fixes/color modifications

Version 2.0.2

Fixed header background color bug
Re-added collapse-able header functionality
Fixed background color on address book cards
Fixed throbber code
Re-added text only and icon only options in customize toolbar window

Version 2.0.1

code trims
bug/error fixes

Version 2.0.0

full sync to TB2.0 default theme code
more visibility improvements
code trims

Version 1.5.6

fixed annoying pixel jump in toolbarbuttons (caused by disabled buttons having borders)
Console spacing changes
visibility improvements for small column icons

Version 1.5.5

icons are default/phoenity for now
more small changes all around
fixed group by sort headers

Version 1.5.4 – DROPPED

ported from firefox
fixed all major visibility issues

193 comments

Gnug (1 day)

I’m using PitchDark on my Thunderbird 10.0B and like it. Firefox 10.0B says that it is not compatible. When will it be available for Firefox 10+?

Reply ↓
haitauer (19 days)

well, and also broken for TB 9.x

Reply ↓
Gordash (41 days)

Hails,

Any plans to get the theme running for Nightly?

it’s the only firefox one can use with 64bit…

Reply ↓
haitauer (62 days)

yep, it is, and also broken on 8.0

Reply ↓
Peter Rogers (100 days)

Oop-la, looks like it’s broken on TB 7.0.1….

Reply ↓
haitauer (135 days)

Hi,

and how long do we have to wait until that update is available on Mozilla?

I think it would make sense to offer the downloads on this site here too.

thanks!

Reply ↓
- Tim (120 days)
  
  I used to co-host theme downloads, but unfortunately I don’t have the bandwidth needed to host those files on this website any longer. Besides users, there are third party sites that pull down copies of theme files too and it adds up quickly.
  
  Reply ↓
SlightlySlapdash (136 days)

Thank you so much for Pitch Dark! I’ve enjoyed it for the past few years.

Reply ↓
ts (145 days)

Aah… The Kinks got it to #6 in the USA in 1965.

Reply ↓
WW (165 days)

Oh no, now FF 6 is out and Pitch Dark is once again incompatible, as is TB5.

Reply ↓
haitauer (165 days)

now TB 6.0 is out, and there’s still no Update for TB 5.0, what about an update for Pitchdark for TB 6.0?!

Reply ↓
addons para IceCat « El blog del j0na (165 days)

[...] PitchDark [...]

Reply ↓
Paul (166 days)

Tim,

Thank you!

To everyone else; SEND TIM SOME MONEY! Don’t you think he deserves the price of a meal at a nice restaurant for all of his effort? I certainly do.

I say again. SEND TIM SOME MONEY! I already have weeks ago and more than once. He deserves it.

Thanks again Tim.

Paul

Reply ↓
Graham (179 days)

Im very happy to see your updating for Thunderbird 5.0 as I have always use this theme.

Reply ↓
Frieder (183 days)

PitchDark is a very nice and beautiful theme. I loved it from the first second on! Could you please leave a hint whent it will be Available for TB 5?

Reply ↓
badal (190 days)

This is amazing theme! When it will be ready for TB 5.0? I can hardly wait

Reply ↓
TL (195 days)

Love the Pitch Dark theme; I use it for both T-Bird and F-Fox. I hope your T-Bird 5.0-compatible version comes out soon!

Reply ↓
Bipin (207 days)

one issue with the theme for firefox 5 is the downloads windows, when there r downloads, the file name come in white whereas the below download speed etc come in black so that would be great if it remained white

Reply ↓
WW (209 days)

The deleting of boomarks issue seems to have resolved itself. I dunno, maybe it didn’t work at first but after a re-boot everything settled in better? Thanks again, now on to Pitch Dark for TB5!

Reply ↓
Jay (210 days)

PitchDark 4.0 running in FF 5.0 just updated itself, and wow…… I am not happy with the new buttons. Couldn’t keep it the way it was originally? Had to go and change the whole layout of it? I thought it was perfect how it was….

Reply ↓
Thomas (213 days)

Yeah, finally. A big “thank you” for the FF version. Just try everything with FFportable and it runs. Great.

Since TB5 is out since yesterday, a new game begins. I’m looking forward for this version too.

CU
Thomas

Reply ↓
WW (213 days)

Fantastic to be able to finally go to FF5, thanks for the hard work on the new Pitch Dark. Found an issue though. When using the Menu Bar… I click on Bookmarks, then right click on a bookmark and click on delete, nothing happens. Also didn’t there used to be the ability to sort bookmarks from here? Miss that. Just some feedback for fine tuning as you go, thanks again.

Reply ↓
Y_Soitenly (214 days)

YEEEE HAAAA!!! Thank you for the new Version. I have FF 5 and this is perfect. Thanks again!!!.

Reply ↓
torven (216 days)

OMFG!!!!!!! TY soooo much I love you! This will make my computer complete again I have been checking this page daily.

Reply ↓
PDA (218 days)

Let’s just show our support, be it financial or just by ..not nagging, and hope for improved inter-compatibility (like Mozilla claims with FF5).

Reply ↓
Steven (219 days)

What now?

Reply ↓
WW (220 days)

Firefox 5 is out!

Reply ↓
Thomas (221 days)

FF5 is realeased. So everything will start again? Maybe PD 4.0.0 will be compatible with FF5?

Usually I’m always a step ahead with beta versions, for now I’m 2 versions behind… I think I will switch back to the standard theme…

CU
Thomas

Reply ↓
Dan (222 days)

Sure miss PitchDark.
I didn’t know I’d lose it again when I updated/upgraded Firefox.
Using BlackFox right now, but it’s just not the same!!

Reply ↓
fbloggs (228 days)

PDA:

Firefox 5 will be out by the time we get PitchDark updated for Firefox 4.01

Hear hear!

Reply ↓
Tim (238 days)

The PitchDark update for Firefox 4 is very close. I have one final issue (a fairly major one) to sort out where the titlebar controls (minimize, restore/maximize, close) are showing as all black. Other than that it’s pretty much complete.

Reply ↓
PDA (239 days)

Firefox 5 will be out by the time we get PitchDark updated for Firefox 4.01

Reply ↓
Bluebear2 (262 days)

Your pitch dark rocks! I’ve used for a long time with Firfox 3 versions.

I am now waiting with baited breath for your V4 to come out.

Noe if only I could get the dang cats to leave me alone!

Reply ↓
Rocket (263 days)

Pitchdark version 3.6.1 won’t install. It gives an error message Download error -228.

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toxic (270 days)

please update for firefox 4 asap, your theme rocks so much

Reply ↓
Steven (273 days)

Come on now ,they have a 4.0.1 out already???

Reply ↓
lethe doom (278 days)

I found ‘userstyles.org – Transparent menus – black mica with highlight, Fx4′ which I installed with Stylish, so my glare problem is under control while you struggle with updating PitchDark. I will welcome an old favorite whenever you finish. Thanks.

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/9470/menugne.png

Reply ↓
lethe doom (280 days)

On Firefox 4 with Rainbowpicker I can make a dark theme by modifying the default browser or a persona variant except for menus which retain a white background. If you can upgrade PitchDark for Firefox 4 only incrementally perhaps you could offer a compatible color changer for menus that would provide a good bridge while we are waiting for the opportunity to use your browser.

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/3548/greyishgreengreen.png

Reply ↓
Steven (282 days)

Please,when,when,when?I can’t go to 4 without it!!!

Reply ↓
greenbird (283 days)

I don’t mind waiting. I can’t imagine doing this as often as FX updates, and I appreciate having something I like enough to wait for, and am looking forward to the next update. I’m not geeky enough to want to push it, and know you have a “real life.” Your work is thoughtful, classy and dependable. Thanks!

Reply ↓
Frederick (288 days)

If you are tired of waiting, here is a DARK theme that already works with Firefox 4 and is darn near the same thing
http://tinyurl.com/427rusg
have fun and try it out

Reply ↓
sylvester (288 days)

hi guys, for those of you, who waited long enough for an update of pitchdark, i found a add-on named “Nightly Tester Tools” 3.1.2, where you can force add-on compatibility. it worked fine for me. greetings, sylvester.

Reply ↓
Sam (295 days)

Wow Thank You so much for the great theme. Everyone else just makes flashy annoying themes, but pitchdark doesn’t draw attention away from the page I’m looking at, and its easy on the eyes. This is literally the only theme I have found to be usable of any firefox themes out there

Reply ↓