Themes

Version:
Dev 3.2 3.1 3.0

The look of the Sublime Text interface is controlled by themes. The term theme refers strictly to the look of the UI – buttons, select lists, the sidebar, tabs and so forth. The highlighting of source code, markup and prose is controlled by a color scheme.

The theme engine for Sublime Text is based on raster graphics. PNGs are used to prevent texture degradation and provide full alpha control. Each element in the UI can have up to four layers of textures or fills applied, with properties to control opacity and padding. The properties set on each element can be conditionally changed based on user interaction and settings.

Sublime Text themes are implemented via the .sublime-theme format. It is a JSON format that specifies rules for matching elements and modifying their appearance.

Format

A .sublime-theme file contains a single JSON document. The document should be an object containing a key "rules" with the value of 3179 an array of rules. An optional key "variables" with an object containing variable/value pairs may be added. 3179

The following is an example of a .sublime-theme file, showing the format. A complete theme will have many more rules to cover all elements used in the UI. 

{
    "variables":
    {
        "light_gray": "rgb(240, 240, 240)"
    },
    "rules":
    [
        // Set up the textures for a button
        {
            "class": "button_control",
            "layer0.tint": "#000",
            "layer0.opacity": 1.0,
            "layer1.texture": "Theme - Example/textures/button_background.png",
            "layer1.inner_margin": 4,
            "layer1.opacity": 1.0,
            "layer2.texture": "Theme - Example/textures/button_highlight.png",
            "layer2.inner_margin": 4,
            "layer2.opacity": 0.0,
            "content_margin": [4, 8, 4, 8]
        },
        // Show the highlight texture when the button is hovered
        {
            "class": "button_control",
            "attributes": ["hover"],
            "layer2.opacity": 1.0
        },
        // Basic text label style
        {
            "class": "label_control",
            "fg": "var(light_gray)",
            "font.bold": true
        },
        // Brighten labels contained in a button on hover
        {
            "class": "label_control",
            "parents": [{"class": "button_control", "attributes": ["hover"]}],
            "fg": "white"
        }
    ]
}
[
    // Set up the textures for a button
    {
        "class": "button_control",
        "layer0.tint": "#000",
        "layer0.opacity": 1.0,
        "layer1.texture": "Theme - Example/textures/button_background.png",
        "layer1.inner_margin": 4,
        "layer1.opacity": 1.0,
        "layer2.texture": "Theme - Example/textures/button_highlight.png",
        "layer2.inner_margin": 4,
        "layer2.opacity": 0.0,
        "content_margin": [4, 8, 4, 8]
    },
    // Show the highlight texture when the button is hovered
    {
        "class": "button_control",
        "attributes": ["hover"],
        "layer2.opacity": 1.0
    },
    // Basic text label style
    {
        "class": "label_control",
        "fg": [240, 240, 240],
        "font.bold": true
    },
    // Brighten labels contained in a button on hover
    {
        "class": "label_control",
        "parents": [{"class": "button_control", "attributes": ["hover"]}],
        "fg": [255, 255, 255]
    }
]

Terminology

The primary contents of a theme is an array of rules. Each rule object contains a "class" key used to match to an element. In addition to the "class", matching can be further restricted by specifying "attributes", "settings", "parents" and "platforms" keys. Properties affect the look or behavior of the element.

Variables allow reusing values throughout different rules. Variables may contain any type of syntax, but may only be referenced by top-level keys in a rule. 3179

Most elements have a single class name, although a few have more than one to allow for both generic, and specific styling. For example, the popup_control class can be used to set styles for the auto complete and HTML popups, however popup_control auto_complete_popup may be used to target just the auto complete popup. Multiple "class" values are separated by a space. When a rule specified multiple class names, all must be present on the element for the rule to be applied.

"attributes" are set by Sublime Text, and indicate the state of user interaction, or other information about the nature of an element. The value is an array of strings. Examples include "hover", "pressed" and "dirty".

"settings" are user-controlled values that can be changed at run-time. The value is an array of strings which are the names of boolean settings pulled from .sublime-settings files. To check for a false value, prefix the setting name with a ! Themes may also create their own settings to allow users to change the style. Examples include "bold_folder_labels" and "!always_show_minimap_viewport".

The "parents" key is an array of objects specifying the "class" and "attributes" that must be matched in a parent element.

The "platforms" key is an array of strings specifying the what operating systems to apply the rule to. Valid options include "osx", "windows", and "linux".

Properties refer to all other keys in the JSON objects. Some properties are available on all elements, while others are specific to an individual element.

General Information

The follow sections discuss information about images and how to specify styles.

Specificity

Unlike CSS, a Sublime Text theme does not do specificity matching when applying rules to elements. All rules are tested, in order, against each element. Subsequent rules that match will override properties from previous rules.

Texture Images

All textures in a theme are specified using PNG images. Each texture should be saved at "normal" DPI, where each pixel in the file will be mapped to one device pixel. All file paths in the theme definition should reference the normal DPI version.

A second version of each texture should also be included at double the DPI, with @2x added to the filename right before the extension. Sublime Text will automatically use the @2x version when being displayed on a high-DPI screen. It is also possible to specify @3x variants of textures for screens running at 300% scale or higher 3167.

SVG images are not currently supported.

Dimensions

Integer units in a theme referring to dimensions are always specified in device-independent pixels (DIP). Sublime Text automatically handles scaling UI elements based on the screen density.

Padding & Margins

Padding and margin may be specified in one of three ways:

  • A single integer value – the same value is applied to the left, top, right and bottom
  • An array of two integers – the first value is applied to the left and right, while the second value is applied to the top and bottom
  • An array of four integers – the values are applied, in order, to the left, top, right and bottom

Inheritance 3179

A theme may extend another theme, appending rules and overriding variables. To extend a theme, add a top-level key "extends" to the JSON object, with a string value of the base theme. 

{
    "extends": "Default.sublime-theme",
    "rules":
    [
        {
            "class": "label_control",
            "parents": [{"class": "button_control", "attributes": ["hover"]}],
            "fg": "red"
        }
    ]
}

The resulting list of rules will start with the base theme rules followed by the extending theme rules. Any variables from the extending theme will override variables with the same name in the base theme. Variable overrides will affect rules both in the base theme and the extending theme.

Variables 3179

Reusable variables may be defined by a JSON object under the top-level key "variables". Variable names are strings, however the value may be a string, number, boolean, array or object. Using a variable requires specifying a string in the format var(example_variable_name). 

{
    "variables":
    {
        "light_gray": "rgb(240, 240, 240)"
    },
    "rules":
    [
        {
            "class": "label_control",
            "fg": "var(light_gray)"
        }
    ]
}

Variables may be used as the value for any property, but the variable must be the entire value, it may not be embedded within another variable. The only exception to this rule is that variables may be used as the base color for the CSS color() mod function.

Colors

Colors may be specified by CSS or legacy color syntax:

CSS Color Syntax 3179

Since Sublime Text build 3177, colors in themes may now be specified using CSS syntax, as supported by minihtml. This includes support for hex, rgb(), hsl(), variables and the color mod function. Additionally, all predefined variables that are derived from the color scheme are available for use.

The color white, as hex 

#fff

The color white, using rgb() functional notation 

rgb(255, 255, 255)

50% opacity white, using hsla() functional notation 

hsla(0, 100%, 100%, 0.5)

The closest color to red, as defined in the color scheme 

var(--redish)

50% opacity of the closest color to red, as defined in the color scheme 

color(var(--redish) a(0.5))

Legacy Color Syntax

Prior to supporting CSS syntax for colors, themes were only able to specify colors using the following formats, which are now deprecated.

RGB

Colors in the RGB color space are specified via an array of 3 or 4 numbers, with the first three being integers ranging from 0 to 255 representing the components red, green and blue. The optional fourth number is a float ranging from 0.0 to 1.0 that controls the opacity of the color.

The color white, with full opacity 

[255, 255, 255]

The color blue, with 50% opacity 

[0, 0, 255, 0.5]

HSL

Colors may also be specified using the HSL color space by creating an array of 4 elements, with the first being the string "hsl". The second element is an integer from 0 to 360 specifying the hue. The third is an integer from 0 to 100 specifying the saturation, and the fourth is an integer from 0 to 100 specifying the lightness.

A dark magenta, with full opacity 

["hsl", 325, 100, 30]

A float from 0.0 to 1.0 may be added as a fifth element to control the opacity.

A bright teal, with 50% opacity 

["hsl", 180, 100, 75, 0.5]

Derived Colors

It is also possible to derive colors from the current global color scheme. Colors in this format are specified using arrays with specific formats. In all cases, the first element is the base color, which may be "foreground", "background" or "accent".

Change Opacity of Base Color

To change the opacity of a base color, specify an array of 2 elements, the first being the base color name and the second being a float from 0.0 to 1.0. The opacity will be set to the float value.

The color scheme foreground, at 90% opacity 

["foreground", 0.9]
De-saturate Base Color

To de-saturate a base color, specify an array with 3 elements. The first is the name of the base color, the second is the string "grayscale", and the third is an integer from 0 to 100 which specifies what percentage of the saturation (in HSL color space) of the existing color should be retained. A value of 100 means no change, whereas a value of 0 would cause the color to be completely desaturated.

The color scheme foreground, with the saturation adjusted to 1/4 of the original value. 

["foreground", "grayscale", 25]
Tint Base Color

5 and 6-element derived colors allow blending a color into the base color. A 5-element colors uses an RGBA color, whereas a 6-element uses an HSLA. In both cases, the last element, which normally represents the opacity, controls how much of the secondary color is blended into the base.

The color scheme background, lightened with white 

["background", 255, 255, 255, 0.1]

The color scheme accent, tinted with dark red 

["accent", "hsl", 0, 100, 30, 0.2]

Colors derived from the color scheme will always be based on the global color scheme, and will not reflect view-specific color schemes. Certain view-specific controls in the UI have tinting properties that allow using the view-specific color scheme colors.

Font Sizes

Font sizes may be specified in the formats:

Numeric

An integer or float to specify the size of the font in pixels.
Examples: 12, 13.5.

CSS Format 4050

A string of a px or rem CSS font size.
Examples: 12px, 1.2rem

The rem size is based on the global setting font_size for most elements. Elements that use a different root font size will specify in the description.

Attributes

Attributes are specified as an array of strings. Each string is an attribute name. To check for the absence of an attribute, prepend a ! to the name.

The following attributes are common to all elements:

hover

set whenever the user's mouse is hovered over an element

Luminosity

Although not available on all elements, many have attributes set based on the approximate luminosity of the current color scheme. Most elements have the attributes set based on the global color scheme. Tabs and the tab background, however, have the attributes based on the color scheme specific to the selected view.

The attributes are assigned based on the V value of the background color, when represented as HSV colors.

file_light

V from 0.60-1.00

file_medium

V from 0.30-0.59

file_medium_dark

V from 0.10-0.29

file_dark

V from 0.00-0.09

Settings

Certain Sublime Text settings are design to influence the UI. Themes should respect these settings and change elements based on them.

overlay_scroll_bars

this should affect the style of the scroll bars – generally they should be semi-transparent and the overlay property of the scroll_area_control should be set to true

always_show_minimap_viewport

if the current viewport area should be highlighted on the minimap even when the user is not hovering over the minimap.

bold_folder_labels

if folder names in the side bar should have the font.bold property set to true.

mouse_wheel_switches_tabs

this is used to control mouse wheel behavior of tabs on Linux. It should be combined with checking for !enable_tab_scrolling to change the mouse_wheel_switch property of the tabset_control to false.

highlight_modified_tabs

if the tabs of modified files should be highlighted. This setting should be checked in addition to the dirty attribute.

show_tab_close_buttons

if tabs should have close buttons

Properties

The "rules" key of a .sublime-theme file is a JSON array of of objects describing how UI elements should be styled. Every element in the UI supports the following keys:

layer0.*

the bottom-most texture layer for the element

layer1.*

the second texture layer for the element

layer2.*

the third texture layer for the element

layer3.*

the fourth texture layer for the element

hit_test_level

a float value setting the required opacity of a pixel for a click to be considering a "hit"

Layer Properties

Every element in the UI supports up to four texture layers for displaying fill colors and raster graphics. Each layer has dotted sub-keys in the format layer#.sub-key. Valid sub-keys include:

layer#.opacity

a float value from 0.0 to 1.0 that controls the master opacity of the layer.

Example: 0.9
layer#.tint

a color value of a fill color to apply to the layer.

Example: [255, 0, 0, 127]
layer#.texture

a string of the file path to a PNG image, relative to the Packages/ folder.

Example: "Theme - Default/arrow_right.png"
layer#.inner_margin

texture images are stretched to fit the element by slicing into a grid of 9 using four lines. See padding & margins for valid formats with which to specify the margin used to make the slices.

Example: [5, 2, 5, 2]
layer#.draw_center

a boolean that controls if the center rectangle of the 9-grid created via layer#.inner_margin should be drawn. This is an optimization that allows skipping an unused section of texture.

Example: false
layer#.repeat

a boolean that controls if the texture should be repeated instead of stretched.

Example: false

Value Animation

Properties specified by floats may be animated over time. Instead of providing a single numeric value, the animation is specified with an object including details of the animation. Value animation is primarily useful for changing opacity over time. The object keys are:

target

a float value from 0.0 to 1.0 that controls the destination value

Example: 1.0
speed

a float value of 1.0 or greater that controls the relative length of time the animation takes

Example: 1.5
interpolation

an optional string that allow specifying the use of smoothstep function instead of the default linear function.

Default: "linear"
Example: "smoothstep"

Texture Animation

The layer#.texture sub-key may be an object to specify an animation based on two or more PNG images. The object keys are:

keyframes

an array of strings of the paths to PNG images, in order

Example: ["Theme - Default/spinner.png", "Theme - Default/spinner1.png"]
loop

an optional boolean that controls if the animation should repeat

Default: false
Example: true
frame_time

an optional float specifying how long each frame should be displayed. 1.0 represents 1 second.

Default: 0.0333 (30 fps)
Example: 0.0166 (60 fps)

Texture Tinting Properties

Certain elements have an available tint value set by the background of current color scheme. The tint can be modified and applied to a layer#.texture image.

tint_index

Controls which layer the tint is applied to. Must be an integer from 0 to 3.

tint_modifier

An array of four integers in the range 0 to 255. The first three are blended into the RGB values from the tint color with the fourth value specifying how much of these RGB modifier values to apply.

Font Properties

Certain textual elements allow setting the following font properties:

font.face

the name of the font face

font.size

the font size

font.bold

a boolean, if the font should be bold

font.italic

a boolean, if the font should be italic

color

a color value to use for the text - the fg property is an alias for this for backwards compatibility

shadow_color

a color value to use for the text shadow

shadow_offset

a 2-element array containing the X and Y offsets of the shadow

opacity 4073

a float from 0.0 to 1.0 that is multiplied against the opacity of the color and shadow_color properties

Filter Label Properties

Labels used in the quick panel have color control based on selection and matching

fg

a color value for unselected, unmatched text

match_fg

a color value for unselected, matched text

bg

a color value for the background of an unselected row

selected_fg

a color value for selected, unmatched text

selected_match_fg

a color value for selected, matched text

bg

a color value for the background of a selected row

font.face

the name of the font face

font.size

the font size

Data Table Properties

Row-based tables of data provide the following properties:

dark_content

if the background is dark – used to set the dark attribute for scrollbars

row_padding

padding added to each row, in one of the formats described in padding & margins

Styled Label Properties

Certain labels allow for additional control over their appearance. They support the properties:

border_color

a color value for the border of the label

background_color

a color value for the background of the label

Elements

The following is an exhaustive list of the elements that comprise the Sublime Text UI, along with supported attributes and properties.

Windows

title_bar

Attributes

luminosity attributes

Properties

fg

a color value to use for the window title text – Mac 10.10 or newer only

bg

a color value to use for the title bar background – Mac 10.10 or newer only

style 4050

the OS style to use for the title bar - "system", "dark" (Mac/Linux only) or "light" (Mac only).

Default: "system"
window

This element can not be styled directly, however it can be used in a "parents" key. The luminosity attributes are set based on the global color scheme.

Attributes

luminosity attributes

Properties

none
edit_window

This element contains the main editor window, and is intended for use in a "parents" key.

Properties

none
switch_project_window

This element contains the Switch Project window, and is intended for use in a "parents" key.

Properties

none

Side Bar

sidebar_container

The primary sidebar container that handles scrolling

Properties

content_margin

the margin around the sidebar_tree

sidebar_tree

A tree control containing multiple tree_rows

Properties

data table properties
indent

an integer amount to indent each level of the tree structure

indent_offset

an additional indent applied to every row, for the sake of positioning disclosure_button_control and close_button

indent_top_level

a boolean if top-level rows in the tree should be indented

spacer_rows

a boolean controlling if a blank row should be added between the Open Files and Folders sections of the sidebar, when both are visible.

tree_row

A row may contain a header, open file, folder or file

Attributes

selectable

when a row is selectable

selected

when an selectable row is selected

expandable

when a row is expandable

expanded

when an expandable row is expanded

sidebar_heading

One of the "Open Files", "Group #" or "Folders" headings in the sidebar

Properties

font properties
case 3179

the case modification to use for the heading - "upper", "lower" or "title".

Default: "upper"
file_system_entry 3181

The container holding information about a file or folder in the sidebar. Contains different controls based on which section of the sidebar it is within.

Within the Open Files section, this control will contain a sidebar_label with the file name, plus possibly a vcs_status_badge.

Within the Folders section, this control will contain a folder or file icon (either icon_folder, icon_folder_loading, icon_folder_dup or icon_file_type), a sidebar_label with the file or folder name, plus possibly a vcs_status_badge.

Attributes

ignored

Files: when a file is ignored
Folders: when the entire folder is ignored

untracked

Files: when a file is new or not recognized
Folders: when a folder contains one or more untracked files

modified

Files: when a file has been changed on disk
Folders: when a folder contains one or more modified files

missing

Folders: when one or more of a folder‘s files is no longer on disk

added

Files: when a new file has been newly added to the index
Folders: when a folder contains one or more added files

staged

Files: when a modified file has been added to the index
Folders: when a folder contains one or more staged files

deleted

Folders: when one or more of a folder‘s files has been added to the index for removal

unmerged

Files: when a file is in a conflict state and needs to be resolved
Folders: when a folder contains one or more unmerged files

Properties

content_margin

the margin around the contained controls

spacing

an integer number of pixels between each contained control

sidebar_label

Names of open files, folder names and filenames

Properties

font properties
close_button

A button to the left of each file in the Open Files section

Properties

content_margin

for buttons, the margin specifies the dimensions

disclosure_button_control

An expand/collapse icon present in all tree_rows that can be expanded

Properties

content_margin

for buttons, the margin specifies the dimensions

icon_folder

Used for a folder once the contents have been fully enumerated

Properties

content_margin

for icons, the margin specifies the dimensions

icon_folder_loading

Used for a folder while the contents are being enumerated

Properties

content_margin

for icons, the margin specifies the dimensions

icon_folder_dup

Used for a folder that has been scanned previously in the sidebar. This is necessary to prevent a possibly infinite list of files due to recursive symlinks.

Properties

content_margin

for icons, the margin specifies the dimensions

icon_file_type

The icon for a file. The layer0.texture should not be set since it is determined dynamically based on the icon setting provided by .tmPreferences files.

Properties

content_margin

for icons, the margin specifies the dimensions

vcs_status_badge 3181

An icon contained within file_system_entry that is used to display the status of a file or folder with regards to a Git repository it is contained in. This icon will only be shown if the setting show_git_status is true, the file is contained within a Git repository, and the file has some sort of special state within the repository. A file that is not shown via git status and is not ignored via a .gitignore rule will have no icon.

Attributes

ignored
Files: when a file is ignored
Folders: when the entire folder is ignored
untracked
Files: when a file is new or not recognized
Folders: when a folder contains one or more untracked files
modified
Files: when a file has been changed on disk
Folders: when a folder contains one or more modified files
missing
Folders: when one or more of a folder‘s files is no longer on disk
added
Files: when a new file has been newly added to the index
Folders: when a folder contains one or more added files
staged
Files: when a modified file has been added to the index
Folders: when a folder contains one or more staged files
deleted
Folders: when one or more of a folder‘s files has been added to the index for removal
unmerged
Files: when a file is in a conflict state and needs to be resolved
Folders: when a folder contains one or more unmerged files

Properties

content_margin

for icons, the margin specifies the dimensions

Tabs

tabset_control

Attributes

luminosity attributes

Properties

content_margin

the margin around the tab_controls

tab_overlap

how many DIPs the tabs should overlap

tab_width

default tab width when space is available

tab_min_width

the minimum tab width before tab scrolling occurs

tab_height

the height of the tabs in DIPs

mouse_wheel_switch

if the mouse wheel should switch tabs – this should only be set to true if the setting enable_tab_scrolling is false

tab_control

Attributes

luminosity attributes
dirty

when the associated view has unsaved changed

selected

when the associated view is the active view in its group

transient

when the associate view is a preview and not fully opened

Properties

content_margin

the margin around the tab_label

max_margin_trim

how much of the left and right content_margin may be removed when tab space is extremely limited

accent_tint_index

Controls which layer the accent tint is applied to. Must be an integer from 0 to 3. The accent color is specified by the color scheme.

accent_tint_modifier

An array of four integers in the range 0 to 255. The first three are blended into the RGB values from the accent tint color with the fourth value specifying how much of these RGB modifier values to apply.

tab_label

Attributes

transient

when the associate view is a preview and not fully opened

Properties

font properties
tab_close_button

Properties

content_margin

for buttons, the margin specifies the dimensions

accent_tint_index

Controls which layer the accent tint is applied to. Must be an integer from 0 to 3. The accent color is specified by the color scheme.

accent_tint_modifier

An array of four integers in the range 0 to 255. The first three are blended into the RGB values from the accent tint color with the fourth value specifying how much of these RGB modifier values to apply.

scroll_tabs_left_button

Properties

content_margin

for buttons, the margin specifies the dimensions

scroll_tabs_right_button

Properties

content_margin

for buttons, the margin specifies the dimensions

show_tabs_dropdown_button

Properties

content_margin

for buttons, the margin specifies the dimensions

Quick Panel

The quick panel is used for the various Goto functionality, the command palette and is available for use by plugins.

overlay_control

The container for the quick panel, including the input and data table

Specializations 4050

To allow for targeting the overlay_control when the quick panel is being used for specific functionality, the following multi-class selectors are available:

overlay_control goto_file

The Goto File quick panel

overlay_control goto_symbol

The Goto Symbol quick panel

overlay_control goto_symbol_in_project

The Goto Symbol in Project quick panel

overlay_control goto_line

The Goto Line quick panel

overlay_control goto_word

The Goto Anything quick panel, filtering by word

overlay_control command_palette

The Command Palette

Properties

content_margin

the margin around the quick_panel

quick_panel

The data table displayed below the input. Normally the height is dynamic so the layers will not be visible, however the Switch Project window will use layers for the blank space below the filtered options.

Properties

data table properties
mini_quick_panel_row

A non-file row in quick_panel. Contains one quick_panel_label for each line of text in the row.

Attributes

selected

when the row is selected

quick_panel_row

A Goto Anything file row in quick_panel. Also used in the Switch Project window.

Contains quick_panel_label with the filename, and quick_panel_path_label for the file path.

Attributes

selected

when the row is selected

kind_container 4050

A container shown to the left of the symbols in the Goto Symbol and Goto Symbol in Project quick panels. It contains the kind_label and is used to indicate the kind of the symbol.

This element is also used in auto_complete to show the kind of the item being inserted. A "parents" key should be used to distinguish the two uses.

Specializations

The element kind_container is always paired with a second class name indicating the general category the kind belongs to. There are eight pre-defined categories:

kind_container kind_ambiguous

When the kind of the item is unknown

kind_container kind_keyword

When the item is a keyword

kind_container kind_type

When the item is a data type, class, struct, interface, enum, trait, etc

kind_container kind_function

When the item is a function, method, constructor or subroutine

kind_container kind_namespace

When the item is a namespace or module

kind_container kind_navigation

When the item is a definition, label or section

kind_container kind_markup

When the item is a markup component, including HTML tags and CSS selectors

kind_container kind_variable

When the item is a variable, member, attribute, constant or parameter

kind_container kind_snippet

When the item is a snippet

Properties

content_margin

a margin that is added around the kind_label

kind_label 4050

A label showing a single unicode character, contained within the kind_container

This element is also used in auto_complete to show the kind of the item being inserted. A "parents" key should be used to distinguish the two uses.

Properties

font properties
symbol_container 4050

A container around the quick_panel_label when showing the Goto Symbol or Goto Symbol in Project symbol lists

Properties

content_margin

a margin that is added around the quick_panel_label

quick_panel_label

Filenames in quick_panel_row and all text in mini_quick_panel_row

Properties

filter label properties
quick_panel_path_label

File paths in quick_panel_row

Properties

filter label properties

Views

text_area_control

This element can not be styled directly since that is controlled by the color scheme, however it can be used in a "parents" key.

Attributes

luminosity attributes

Properties

none
grid_layout_control

The borders displayed between views when multiple groups are visible

Properties

no layer support
border_color

a color value to use for the border

border_size

an integer of the border size in DIPs

minimap_control

Control over the display of the viewport projection on the minimap

Properties

no layer support
viewport_color

a color value to fill the viewport projection with

viewport_opacity

a float from 0.0 to 1.0 specifying the opacity of the viewport projection

fold_button_control

Code folding buttons in the gutter

Attributes

expanded

when a section of code is unfolded

Properties

content_margin

for buttons, the margin specifies the dimensions

popup_control html_popup

The primary container for the HTML popups used by Show Definitions and third-party packages. The tint of the scroll bar will be set to the background color of the HTML document.

Auto Complete

popup_control auto_complete_popup

The primary container for the auto complete popup

auto_complete

The data table for completion data. The tint is set based on the background color of the color scheme applied to the view the popup is displayed in.

Properties

data table properties texture tinting properties
table_row

A row in auto_complete

Attributes

selected

when the user has highlighted a completion

kind_container 4050

A container shown to the left of an auto complete item, which contains the kind_label and is used to indicate the kind of the item

This element is also used in the quick_panel for Goto Symbol and Goto Symbol in Project. A "parents" key should be used to distinguish the two uses.

Specializations

The element kind_container is always paired with a second class name indicating the general category the kind belongs to. There are eight pre-defined categories:

kind_container kind_ambiguous

When the kind of the item is unknown

kind_container kind_keyword

When the item is a keyword

kind_container kind_type

When the item is a data type, class, struct, interface, enum, trait, etc

kind_container kind_function

When the item is a function, method, constructor or subroutine

kind_container kind_namespace

When the item is a namespace or module

kind_container kind_navigation

When the item is a definition, label or section

kind_container kind_markup

When the item is a markup component, including HTML tags and CSS selectors

kind_container kind_variable

When the item is a variable, member, attribute, constant or parameter

kind_container kind_snippet

When the item is a snippet

Properties

content_margin

a margin that is added around the kind_label

kind_label 4050

A label showing a single unicode character, contained within the kind_container

This element is also used in the quick_panel for Goto Symbol and Goto Symbol in Project. A parents key should be used to distinguish the two uses.

Properties

font properties

The rem root font size is based on the font size of the editor control the auto complete window is being shown for.

trigger_container 4050

A container around the auto_complete_label

Properties

content_margin

a margin that is added around the auto_complete_label

auto_complete_label

Text in a table_row

Properties

filter label properties
fg_blend

a boolean controlling if the fg, match_fg, selected_fg, and selected_match_fg values should be blended onto the foreground color from the color scheme of the current view

auto_complete_label auto_complete_hint

The "annotation" hint displayed at the right-hand-side of a table_row

Properties

font properties

The rem root font size is based on the font size of the editor control the auto complete window is being shown for.

fg_blend

a boolean controlling if the color value should be blended onto the foreground color from the color scheme of the current view

auto_complete_detail_pane 4050

A detail pane displayed below the list of auto complete items, containing the auto_complete_info spacer, with auto_complete_kind_name_label and auto_complete_details inside

Properties

content_margin

a margin that is added around the child controls

auto_complete_info 4050

Provides spacing between auto_complete_kind_name_label and auto_complete_details

Properties

spacing

an integer number of pixels between each contained control

auto_complete_kind_name_label 4050

A label used to display the name of the auto complete kind

Properties

font properties

The rem root font size is based on the font size of the editor control the auto complete window is being shown for.

styled label properties
auto_complete_details 4050

A single-line HTML control used to display the details of the auto complete item

Properties

font.face

the name of the font face

font.size

the font size - the rem root font size is based on the font size of the editor control the auto complete window is being shown for

color

a color value to use for the text

link_color

a color value to use for links

monospace_color

a color value to use for monospace text

monospace_background_color

a color value to use for the background of monospace text

Panels

panel_control find_panel

The container for the Find and Incremental Find panels.

Properties

content_margin

the margin around the panel contents

panel_control replace_panel

The container for the Replace panel.

Properties

content_margin

the margin around the panel contents

panel_control find_in_files_panel

The container for the Find in Files panel.

Properties

content_margin

the margin around the panel contents

panel_control input_panel

The container for the input panel, which is available via the API and used for things like file renaming.

Properties

content_margin

the margin around the panel contents

panel_control console_panel

The container for the Console.

Properties

content_margin

the margin around the panel contents

panel_control output_panel

The container for the output panel, which is available via the API and used for build results.

Properties

content_margin

the margin around the panel contents

panel_control switch_project_panel

The container for the input in the Switch Project window.

Properties

content_margin

the margin around the panel contents

panel_grid_control

The layout grid used to position inputs on the various panels.

Properties

no layer support
inside_spacing

an integer padding to place between each cell of the grid

outside_vspacing

an integer padding to place above and below the grid

outside_hspacing

an integer padding to place to the left and right of the grid

panel_close_button

The button to close the open panel

Properties

content_margin

for buttons, the margin specifies the dimensions

Status Bar

status_bar

Attributes

panel_visible

when a panel is displayed above the status bar

Properties

content_margin

the margin around the sidebar_button_control, status_container and status_buttonss

panel_button_control <4050

The panel switcher button on the left side of the status bar

Properties

content_margin

for buttons, the margin specifies the dimensions

sidebar_button_control 4050

The sidebar/panel switcher button on the left side of the status bar

Properties

content_margin

for buttons, the margin specifies the dimensions

status_container

The area that contains the current status message

Properties

content_margin

the margin around the status message

status_button

The status buttons that display, and allow changing, the indentation, syntax, encoding and line endings

Properties

content_margin

for buttons, the margin specifies the dimensions

min_size

an array of two integers specifying the minimum width and height of a button, in DIPs

vcs_status 3181

The container holding the vcs_branch_icon, label_control with the current branch name, and vcs_changes_annotation control

Properties

content_margin

the margin around the contained controls

spacing

an integer number of pixels between each contained control

vcs_branch_icon 3181

An icon shown to the left of the current branch name

Properties

content_margin

for icons, the margin specifies the dimensions

vcs_changes_annotation 3181

Displays the number of files that have been added, modified or deleted

Properties

font properties styled label properties

Dialogs

dialog

The Indexer Status and Update windows both use this class for the window background

progress_bar_control

The progress bar container. The progress bar is displayed in the Update window used for updates on Mac and Windows.

progress_gauge_control

The bar representing the progress completed so far

Properties

content_margin

the margin specifies the height of the bar

Scroll Bars

scroll_area_control

The scroll area contains the element being scrolled, along with the bar, track and puck.

Attributes

scrollable 3186
when the control can be scrolled vertically
hscrollable 3186
when the control can be scrolled horizontally

Properties

content_margin

a margin that is added around the content being scrolled

overlay

sets the scroll bars to be rendered on top of the content

left_shadow

a color value to use when drawing a shadow to indicate the area can be scrolled to the left

left_shadow_size

an integer of the width of the shadow to draw when the area can be scrolled to the left

top_shadow

a color value to use when drawing a shadow to indicate the area can be scrolled to the top

top_shadow_size

an integer of the height of the shadow to draw when the area can be scrolled to the top

right_shadow

a color value to use when drawing a shadow to indicate the area can be scrolled to the right

right_shadow_size

an integer of the width of the shadow to draw when the area can be scrolled to the right

bottom_shadow

a color value to use when drawing a shadow to indicate the area can be scrolled to the bottom

bottom_shadow_size

an integer of the height of the shadow to draw when the area can be scrolled to the bottom

scroll_bar_control

The scroll bar contains the scroll track. The tint is set based on the background color of the element being scrolled.

Attributes

dark

when the scroll area content is dark, necessitating a light scroll bar

horizontal

when the scroll bar should be horizontal instead of vertical

Properties

texture tinting properties
content_margin

a margin that is added around the scroll track

scroll_track_control

The track that the puck runs along. The tint is set based on the background color of the element being scrolled.

Attributes

dark

when the scroll area content is dark, necessitating a light scroll bar

horizontal

when the scroll bar should be horizontal instead of vertical

Properties

texture tinting properties
scroll_corner_control

The dead space in the bottom right of a scroll_area_control when both the vertical and horizontal scroll bars are being shown.

Attributes

dark

when the scroll area content is dark, necessitating a light scroll bar

Properties

texture tinting properties
puck_control

The scroll puck, or handle. The tint is set based on the background color of the element being scrolled.

Attributes

dark

when the scroll area content is dark, necessitating a light scroll bar

horizontal

when the scroll bar should be horizontal instead of vertical

Properties

texture tinting properties

Inputs

text_line_control

The text input used by the Quick Panel, Find, Replace, Find in Files and Input panels.

Properties

content_margin

the margin around the text

color_scheme_tint

a color value to use to tint the background of the color scheme

color_scheme_tint_2

a color value to use to add a secondary tint to the background of the color scheme

dropdown_button_control

The button to close the open panel

Properties

content_margin

for buttons, the margin specifies the dimensions

Buttons

button_control

Text buttons

Attributes

pressed

set when a button is pressed down

Properties

min_size

an array of two integers specifying the minimum width and height of a button, in DIPs

icon_button_group

A grid controlling the spacing of related icon buttons

Properties

no layer support
spacing

an integer number of pixels between each button in the group

icon_button_control

Small icon-based buttons in the Find, Find in Files, and Replace panels

Attributes

selected

when an icon button is toggled on

left

when the button is the left-most button in a group

right

when the button is the right-most button in a group

icon_regex

The button to enable regex mode in the Find, Find in Files and Replace panels

Properties

content_margin

for icons, the margin specifies the dimensions

icon_case

The button to enable case-sensitive mode in the Find, Find in Files and Replace panels

Properties

content_margin

for icons, the margin specifies the dimensions

icon_whole_word

The button to enable whole-word mode in the Find, Find in Files and Replace panels

Properties

content_margin

for icons, the margin specifies the dimensions

icon_wrap

The button to enable search wrapping when using the Find and Replace panels

Properties

content_margin

for icons, the margin specifies the dimensions

icon_in_selection

The button to only search in the selection when using the Find and Replace panels

Properties

content_margin

for icons, the margin specifies the dimensions

icon_highlight

The button to enable highlighting all matches in the Find and Replace panels

Properties

content_margin

for icons, the margin specifies the dimensions

icon_preserve_case

The button to enable preserve-case mode when using the Replace panel

Properties

content_margin

for icons, the margin specifies the dimensions

icon_context

The button to show context around matches when using the Find in Files panel

Properties

content_margin

for icons, the margin specifies the dimensions

icon_use_buffer

The button to display results in a buffer, instead of an output panel, when using the Find in Files panel

Properties

content_margin

for icons, the margin specifies the dimensions

icon_use_gitignore 4073

The button to toggle using .gitignore to filter files in the Find in Files panel

Properties

content_margin

for icons, the margin specifies the dimensions

Labels

label_control

Labels are shown in the Find, Replace, Find in File and Input panels. Additionally, labels are used in the Update window, on textual buttons and for the text in the status_container.

Targeting specific labels can be accomplished by using the "parents" key.

Properties

font properties
title_label_control

The title label is used in the About window.

Properties

font properties

Tool Tips

tool_tip_control

Tool tips shown when hovering over tabs and buttons

Properties

content_margin

the margin around the tool tip text

tool_tip_label_control

Text shown in a tool tip

Properties

font properties

Deprecated

Color Values

Before build 3127, the only way to specify opacity in colors was by using a 4-element array containing all integers from 0 to 255. The fourth element controlled the opacity, such that 0 was fully transparent and 255 was fully opaque. The preferred format is now to use a float from 0.0 to 1.0.

Obsolete

As the UI of Sublime Text has adapted over time, certain elements and properties are no longer applicable or supported.

Elements

The panel_button_control element was removed from the status bar and replaced by sidebar_button_control. 4050

The sheet_container_control element is never visible to users in recent versions of Sublime Text.

An element named icon_reverse used to exist in the find panel to control if searching would move forward or backwards in the view. This is now controlled by the Find and Find Prev buttons.

The element named quick_panel_score_label is no longer present in the Goto Anything quick panel.

Properties

The blur property used to be supported to blur the pixel data behind an element, however it is not currently supported for implementation reasons.

Customization

Users can customize a theme by creating a file with new rules that will be appended to the original theme definition.

To create a user-specific customization of a theme, create a new file with the same filename as the theme, but save it in the Packages/User/ directory.

For example, to customize the Default theme, create a file named Packages/User/Default.sublime-theme. Adding the following rules to that file will increase the size of the text in the sidebar. 

[
    {
        "class": "sidebar_heading",
        "font.size": 15,
    },
    {
        "class": "sidebar_label",
        "font.size": 14
    }
]