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Guide · Open source

How to use dracula-theme: install and apply the colors

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

Dracula is a color theme that changes how apps look, mainly code editors and terminals. This guide explains how to find the right install for your application, where the published colors live, and how to build a theme for an app that is not yet supported. By the end you will know which steps apply to you and where to get the exact palette values.

Draculadracula/dracula-theme · ★ 23.6k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Pick your application. Check the supported list on draculatheme.com to confirm your editor or terminal is covered.
  2. 2Open the install page. Search for your app at draculatheme.com and open its installation instructions.
  3. 3Follow the app-specific steps. Each app has its own install method, so follow only the steps for your application.
  4. 4Clone the repository if needed. Run git clone https://github.com/dracula/dracula-theme.git to get a local copy of the palette and project files.
  5. 5Apply colors from the palette. Use the published hex values for Dracula or Alucard in any other tool that needs them.
  6. 6Contribute a missing app. If your app is not supported, build a theme from the template and submit an issue with your repository link.

What is the dracula-theme repository?

This repository is the main home for the Dracula project and its shared color palette. It includes a dark variant called Dracula and a light variant called Alucard.

Each supported application has its own theme, usually maintained in a separate repository within the Dracula GitHub organization. So this repository is not a single install that styles everything.

Install Dracula for your application

There is no single install that works everywhere. Each app needs its own installation steps, which you can find at draculatheme.com. Search for your app there or browse the full list of themes.

The README lists supported applications including Visual Studio Code, iTerm, Vim, Sublime Text, JetBrains, Terminal.app, Windows Terminal, Hyper, Alfred, Slack, Xcode, Emacs and Zsh, and says there are 400+ more.

  • Go to draculatheme.com and search for your app.
  • Follow the instructions listed for that app.
  • Use the Dracula organization on GitHub to find the theme repository if you want to read its README.

Clone this repository

If you want a local copy of the repository, for example to read the palette files or work on the project, clone it with the command below. The source does not list other prerequisites.

git clone https://github.com/dracula/dracula-theme.git

Use the published color palette

The README publishes hex, RGB and HSL values for every color in both variants. Dracula's background is #282a36 and its foreground is #f8f8f2. Alucard's background is #fffbeb and its foreground is #1f1f1f.

The palette includes Background, Current Line, Selection, Foreground, Comment, Cyan, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red and Yellow. The README says the foreground and background colors maintain a 4.5:1 contrast ratio, meeting WCAG 2.1 Level AA. For details on how colors map to code symbols, see the Dracula Specification at draculatheme.com/spec.

Build a theme for an unsupported app

If your app is not on the list, you can contribute one. The README says support depends on community contributions. Start from the template repository, build your theme using the color palette, and submit an issue with a link to your repository.

Once accepted, the README says the theme will be moved to the Dracula organization and you will receive maintainer access. Detailed guidelines are on the Contribute page at draculatheme.com/contribute.

  • Create a repository from the dracula/template template on GitHub.
  • Build your theme using the Color Palette and follow the template structure.
  • Submit an issue with a link to your repository.

Find updates and get help

Each theme is released and maintained separately, so check the repository for the app you use. The changelog is on the Releases page in each theme's repository. The README points to GitHub Discussions for questions and to a Discord server and social accounts for news.

  • Releases page in each theme repository for the changelog.
  • GitHub Discussions at github.com/dracula/dracula-theme/discussions for questions.
  • Discord at draculatheme.com/discord-invite for chat.

What people use it for

  • Keeping the same dark color scheme across a code editor and a terminal.
  • Choosing between the dark Dracula and light Alucard variants.
  • Reusing the published hex codes in a design file or another tool.
  • Building and submitting a theme for an app the project does not yet support.

Frequently asked questions

Is Dracula theme free?

The dracula-theme repository is released under the MIT License, as the README states. Dracula PRO is a separate premium product that the README mentions, with additional variants and features.

How do I install Dracula theme in VS Code?

The README does not give steps for each editor. It says to find installation instructions for your application at draculatheme.com, where the Visual Studio Code page is listed.

Does Dracula have a light theme?

Yes. The palette includes Alucard, a light variant, alongside the dark Dracula variant. Its hex values are published in the README.

Can I use one install for all my apps?

No. The README says each app needs its own installation steps from draculatheme.com, so you will install each one separately.

What are good alternatives to Dracula theme?

Comparable projects include Solarized, Nord and One Dark. Pick one based on the colors you prefer and whether your app has a version of it.

What if my app is not supported?

The README says support depends on community contributions. You can build a theme from the template repository and submit it through an issue for review.

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Our verdict

Dracula suits developers who want one well-known dark scheme across several editors and terminals, and designers who want its published colors. It is a visual theme, not a software program, and each app needs its own install, so people who want a single install or a theme for an unsupported app should look at other options or build one themselves.

Install options & downloads