Hard to differentiate active/inactive dark theme tabs #12598

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opened 2026-01-31 03:19:54 +00:00 by claunia · 3 comments
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Originally created by @trajano on GitHub (Feb 15, 2021).

I only have a few tab based apps, namely the browsers, text editor and Windows Terminal. However, the way they render tabs specifically the colors differ and it's not really usable in Windows Terminal

Environment

Windows build number: Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.19042.804]
Windows Terminal version (if applicable): Version: 1.5.10411.0

Edge
Firefox

Steps to reproduce

Use Dark Mode in system settings
Set accent color
image

Open multiple tabs

Expected behavior

Color consistency between tabs on the app

Edge accent color is blue and the active tab is black so it's distinguishable.

image

Firefox looks similar I like the bar on top but I guess that's a custom firefox implementation HHowever it still takes the accent color correctly.

image

Actual behavior

The dark mode tabs are hard to distinguish in Terminal when active.

image

Light mode is at least distinguishable.

image

Originally created by @trajano on GitHub (Feb 15, 2021). <!-- 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 I ACKNOWLEDGE THE FOLLOWING BEFORE PROCEEDING: 1. If I delete this entire template and go my own path, the core team may close my issue without further explanation or engagement. 2. If I list multiple bugs/concerns in this one issue, the core team may close my issue without further explanation or engagement. 3. If I write an issue that has many duplicates, the core team may close my issue without further explanation or engagement (and without necessarily spending time to find the exact duplicate ID number). 4. If I leave the title incomplete when filing the issue, the core team may close my issue without further explanation or engagement. 5. If I file something completely blank in the body, the core team may close my issue without further explanation or engagement. All good? Then proceed! --> <!-- This bug tracker is monitored by Windows Terminal development team and other technical folks. **Important: When reporting BSODs or security issues, DO NOT attach memory dumps, logs, or traces to Github issues**. Instead, send dumps/traces to secure@microsoft.com, referencing this GitHub issue. If this is an application crash, please also provide a Feedback Hub submission link so we can find your diagnostic data on the backend. Use the category "Apps > Windows Terminal (Preview)" and choose "Share My Feedback" after submission to get the link. Please use this form and describe your issue, concisely but precisely, with as much detail as possible. --> I only have a few tab based apps, namely the browsers, text editor and Windows Terminal. However, the way they render tabs specifically the colors differ and it's not really usable in Windows Terminal # Environment ```none Windows build number: Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.19042.804] Windows Terminal version (if applicable): Version: 1.5.10411.0 Edge Firefox ``` # Steps to reproduce Use Dark Mode in system settings Set accent color ![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/110627/107977141-a76b6200-6f88-11eb-84ba-0907abe176d3.png) Open multiple tabs <!-- A description of how to trigger this bug. --> # Expected behavior Color consistency between tabs on the app <!-- A description of what you're expecting, possibly containing screenshots or reference material. --> Edge accent color is blue and the active tab is black so it's distinguishable. ![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/110627/107977087-8d318400-6f88-11eb-8a11-fb737efd693d.png) Firefox looks similar I like the bar on top but I guess that's a custom firefox implementation HHowever it still takes the accent color correctly. ![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/110627/107977248-cb2ea800-6f88-11eb-90be-3abd5be57083.png) # Actual behavior The dark mode tabs are hard to distinguish in Terminal when active. ![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/110627/107977281-d71a6a00-6f88-11eb-8be8-479d01c8496d.png) Light mode is at least distinguishable. ![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/110627/107977318-e4375900-6f88-11eb-99a3-b24609d3ccf6.png)
claunia added the Resolution-Duplicate label 2026-01-31 03:19:54 +00:00
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@DHowett commented on GitHub (Feb 15, 2021):

I think we have an issue for this sitting around somewhere, but I am worried that you have a display contrast issue. The contrast ratio for the dark theme in your screenshots is 1.66:1, and the contrast ratio for the light theme is 1.6:1. They're very much extremely the same distinction between selected/unselected.

You might be interested in #3327, which would let you specify that the titlebar have an accent color background (like Firefox in your screenshot above.)

@DHowett commented on GitHub (Feb 15, 2021): I think we have an issue for this sitting around somewhere, but I am worried that you have a display contrast issue. The contrast ratio for the dark theme in your screenshots is 1.66:1, and the contrast ratio for the light theme is 1.6:1. They're very much _extremely the same_ distinction between selected/unselected. You might be interested in #3327, which would let you specify that the titlebar have an accent color background (like Firefox in your screenshot above.)
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@DHowett commented on GitHub (Feb 15, 2021):

/dup #1963 specifically!

@DHowett commented on GitHub (Feb 15, 2021): /dup #1963 specifically!
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@ghost commented on GitHub (Feb 15, 2021):

Hi! We've identified this issue as a duplicate of another one that already exists on this Issue Tracker. This specific instance is being closed in favor of tracking the concern over on the referenced thread. Thanks for your report!

@ghost commented on GitHub (Feb 15, 2021): Hi! We've identified this issue as a duplicate of another one that already exists on this Issue Tracker. This specific instance is being closed in favor of tracking the concern over on the referenced thread. Thanks for your report!
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Reference: starred/terminal#12598