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PitchDark

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

Latest News

November 2017 With the release of Firefox Quantum, the support for legacy themes has been discontinued by Mozilla. This project has therefore been suspended.

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 My inspiration was the Phoenity Dark themes (by Lim Chee Aun and Tom Wilson), which are currently outdated.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
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:

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

Changelog

Firefox

Version 4.0.9

  • Sync with latest Firefox 21 Omni
  • Fixed link color on DirListing
  • Fixed link color on about:license
  • Fixed font color on about:compartments
  • Fixed styling on Inspector

Version 4.0.8

  • Updates for compatibility with Firefox 19
  • Fix for about:memory
  • Small bug fixes

Version 4.0.7

  • Fix for dropdown menus
  • Fix for scrollbuttons in tab bar

Version 4.0.6

  • Fix for addons page
  • Improved contrast for focused elements (buttons/menulists; e.g. about:permissions)
  • Improved contrast for about:memory
  • Styling for New Tab cells
  • Various fixes for devtools

Version 4.0.5

  • fix for colors on sync manager
  • fix for colors on about:cache
  • fix for colors on about:memory
  • fix for colors on about:permissions
  • added new style inspector theming
  • bugfix for “door hangers” (remember password, location, install, etc.)
  • bugfix for tabgroup text labels overlapping

Version 4.0.4

  • Fix for icons on about:Add-ons page (extensions, appearance, plugins, language)
  • Updated compatibility with Firefox 10

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 4.0.4

  • Fix for dropdown menus
  • Regression fix for attachment list color

Version 4.0.3

  • Fix for addons page
  • Improved contrast for focused elements (buttons/menulists;)
  • Small bug fixes

Version 4.0.2

  • Bugfix for smileys
  • Fix for icons on about:Add-ons page (extensions, appearance, plugins, language)
  • Fix for button appearance on headers

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
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. The new version, 3.6.0, will not work with Firefox 3.6 on Mac OS or Windows. I have no idea why. The install.rdf file looks fine. I really like this theme. I would like it to work with the new version of Firefox.

    Reply

  5. PitchDark for FX 3.6 is not working with the public release of FireFox 3.6.

    PitchDark for TB 3.0 seems to work perfect with ThunderBird 3.0.

    Reply

  7. Having trouble installing this theme on Portable Thunderbird. If there is a place I can edit the install location, I’ll be glad to do that. Can extract the .jar file.

    Thanks,

    Kate

    Reply

  10. i use this theme for both firefox as well as thunderbird, really love it but can u update it for the new thunderbird release as it doesnt seem to work with it

    Reply

  11. Hey I love this application! I was wondering if you could make it thunderbird 3.0 compatible? I won’t lie now that I don’t have it I actually hate my email, it annoys me. I have pitch dark for thunderbird and firefox and I can’t use the computer without it

    PLEASE…

    Reply

  12. I love this theme and I’m using it on Thunderbird. I have low vision and this theme is perfect for me. All I have to do is adjust the fots sizes and I’m set. Although I’ve tried like the dickens to change the blue links. Sigh. I can’t see them very well. But everything else is fantastic. I’m waiting for this theme to be udated to Th 3 before I download and install the new version. If I don’t I won’t be able to see my folders. Thank you for such a great theme. I wosh they would do an anycolors for Thunderbird like they did for Firefox. That one theme in Firfox sol;ve a lot of my web page viewing problems. Along with NoSquint:) Thank yoiu again and I’ll be waiting for the updated vesion.

    Reply

  13. Using Pitch Dark 3.5.0 on Firefox 3.5.3 and getting white text on a white background in the location bar. Impossible to see. The problem does not exist in any other theme that I have. Hope to see it fixed soon. This is my preferred theme for Firefox.

    Reply

  14. Under Latest News & Upcoming Changes you mention the Facebook toolbar notifications. I take it this is an upcoming change, because I’m still seeing blue text on the brown background which is impossible to read. If this has been fixed, then something else is causing this problem.

    Reply

  15. # Neziniux Says:
    September 16th, 2009 at 3:14 am

    Thanks for the author of this theme – great peace or masterwork. One bug that I noticed is that text is black on the black background (and therefore it is impossible to read) when Firefox (version 3.5.2 on Win XP Pro) informs about untrusted connection. I can send the screen prints. Author if you need them – contact me via e-mail.

    ——————————————

    Same thing on Firefox 3.5.3 on Win XP

    Reply

  17. Thanks for the author of this theme – great peace or masterwork. One bug that I noticed is that text is black on the black background (and therefore it is impossible to read) when Firefox (version 3.5.2 on Win XP Pro) informs about untrusted connection. I can send the screen prints. Author if you need them – contact me via e-mail.

    Reply

  18. I like this theme. It’s clean and nice. Is it possible to make a version with blacks and greys instead of brown colour scheme?

    Reply

  19. I really do like PitchDark for TB. I use PitchDark for Firefox all the time. However, PitchDark for TB causes a problem with my second Toolbar. ESET security adds an Antispam Toolbar with several buttons on it. PitchDark for TB does not handle this properly and there are buttons missing. (All but one) Hopefully this can be fixed then this theme would become my all time favorite. Thanks for the effort. I am currently testing Thunderbird 2.0.0.23 on Windows 7 Ultimate.

    Reply

  21. Hi 🙂 Very nice theme! Good work ! Only one small problem for me is that when bookmarking a page in FF 3.5, the text is the same colour as the background. Once you lose the highlighting you can’t read it when editing. Is there a way of changing this at all ? Thanks

    Reply

  23. Hi
    I love this theme.
    I have just switched to latest firefox 3.5.2
    The thing is, i have tabmix plus installed, with an option to add a button(to create a new tab) on the far left of the tabbar.
    The thing is, with this theme, the button is just a little square(it is there disguised as brown) but no icon with proper size.

    Is there a way to you(or I) to add an icon over there? like it was back in ff3.0

    Thanks

    Reply

  24. I am using PitchDark for Thunderbird, and the white text hurts my eyes. As there are likely other users who choose your product (and dark themes in general) because standard color schemes are painful to look at, I would like to suggest that future updates enable us to choose our own text colors, or at least offer something less blinding that white. Thanks for your time.

    Reply

  25. I have to say this is still the most fantastic dark theme I’ve used. I just thought to give this a try again today when I saw it in somebody’s collection (I like darker themes for working in the evening, less glare). The thing that just about made me do a backflip was compatibility with Personas, not sure if that was intentional or not, but I installed the Personas extension in this same Firefox customizing run, and Pitchdark handles it perfectly, while still keeping the darker menus and white text. I LOVE IT!

    Reply

  26. Thank you muchly for quickly updating PitchDark for Firefox 3.5. I was hoping you could give us a rough ETA though on a full version release for it without any missing icons (ie, the new tab icon is currently MIA with Firefox 3.5). I am highly appreciative of your work and do not want to seem ungrateful in any way! It’s just that your theme is the only one I like using, since it doesn’t conflict with ColorfulTabs like other dark themes do, so I am over-eager to see a full release.

    Reply

  28. Hi, I love this theme too, but I don’t see the color of the inactive tab (FFX 3.5). Waiting for the full update…When, when
    Thanks

    Reply

  30. Th@nX a million for updating the theme, I could hardly browse since FF updated and this wouldn’t work.
    Appreciate it a lot!

    Reply

  31. Hi, very nice theme but, i it doesn’t work with thundernote (version 3.1): toolbarbutton with orient=”vertical” not visible.
    Could you compatible with thundernote?

    Thanks.

    Reply

  36. Please upgrade for 3.5!!! I can’t bear to use FF without the pitchdark addon! You guys have defined how my entire computer looks.

    Reply

  37. hi man…i really love pitchdark theme!
    it’s the only one i use…can u pls make it so it works with FF 3.5?

    thnx /teo

    Reply

  39. I am huge fan of this theme, and was wondering if it will be working with FF 3.5? I know right now it isn’t working with FF 3.5 RC, but I am not sure if in the coming weeks it will. Thanks a ton.

    Reply

  40. by the way, i forgot to give this much… I am talking about the firefox theme… I have not tested the thunderbird one yet… I like to keep the same theme for both the browser and the email client… if I manage to get this one to work in firefox as expected, then I will get it onto thunderbird as well…

    Cheers! and good job!

    Reply

  41. It is keeping the old (default theme) buttons/icons after I am installing it. I am using the link provided here… is this some bug already reported? If it was, then I am sorry, I had no time to check the whole site for already reported stuff… I hope this can be fixed… looks like a pretty neat theme… In the meantime I will use Classic Compact… it is much smaller (height wise) and makes a lot more space… if u could make something similar, but keeping your dark colors it would ROCK!

    Reply

  42. I really like… but the items in the drop down menu in Google search bar are empty. However, if I hover my mouse they show up one at a time which is awkward.

    Reply

  43. Hey how do I install this theme? I went to its downlaod page but the “Add to FIrefox” button is grayed out even though I’m using the most updated version fo the browser. Why is that?

    Reply

  44. addendum:
    I’ve just notide that when the back button is brown, and the forward button is green, you can really see where the green of the forward button is showing where it shouldn’t be, overlapping the edge of the browned out back button. Perhaps it’s just the shape green part of the forward button – I don’t know if there are layers involved in button images. -Dan

    Reply

  45. I’m another long-time fan. I’ve noticed how crisp and easy on the eyes this latest version is. One thing I’ve noticed, though, is that when the forward button is ‘lit’ by mouse-over, the light green image behind the button face is a layer above the green of the back button, and you can see it overlapping the righthand edge of the back button. The top layer is a dark brown crescent, but the next the becomes the forward highlight, which would look best if it’s behind the green of the back button. A bit of it bleeds out on the right, too, but that looks okay.
    Details, details. I love the details. Thanks for your persistance. -Dan

    Reply

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