Terminals should generate the 256-color palette (gist.github.com)

Article summary

The article proposes that terminals should generate the 256-color palette from the user's base16 theme, improving readability and consistency. The current default 256-color palette has poor readability and clashes with most base16 themes. Generating the palette from the base16 theme would provide a wider range of colors without the need for complex truecolor configurations. This approach would also enable light/dark switching capability without requiring developer effort.

Main themes

• terminal color schemes
• readability and consistency
• truecolor and 256-color palettes
• customizability and standardization
• accessibility and visual impairments
• terminal emulator support and compatibility

What commenters say

• Some argue that terminals should prioritize consistency and readability over customizability, while others believe that users should have control over their color schemes.
• There is a need for a standard or default color palette that is readable and consistent across different terminals and systems.
• The use of truecolor and 256-color palettes can be problematic due to inconsistent support and potential readability issues.
• Generating the 256-color palette from the base16 theme could be a viable solution to improve readability and consistency, but may require opt-in support from terminals and applications.
• Some commenters suggest that terminals should prioritize accessibility and readability, particularly for users with visual impairments.
• Others argue that the proposed solution may not be suitable for all use cases and could lead to inconsistent color schemes.
• The importance of standardization and consistency in terminal colors is highlighted, with some arguing that individual terminal maintainers should take responsibility for improving default colors.
• The potential impact of the proposed solution on existing applications and workflows is a concern, with some arguing that it could lead to compatibility issues or require significant changes to existing code.