Switch Light and Dark Theme in TradeLyser
The TradeLyser theme toggle switches the entire interface between light mode and dark mode in one click—charts, sidebar, tables, and settings all update together. Traders reviewing P&L after market hours often prefer dark themes for reduced glare; daytime desk work may feel clearer in light mode. Your choice is saved to your account and persists across sessions on the same browser profile.
This page covers the header toggle, optional auto theme by time of day, accessibility considerations, and how theme interacts with dashboard customization and widget preferences. Canonical path: /docs/ui-preferences/theme-toggle.
Light vs dark: when to use each
| Mode | Best for | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Bright office, screenshots for mentors, printing | Higher glare at night |
| Dark | Evening review, multi-monitor setups, OLED laptops | Some chart colors feel softer—verify red/green P&L contrast |
Neither mode changes your data, calculations, or broker connections—only presentation.
Find and use the theme toggle
Step 1: Locate the theme icon
- Sign in to TradeLyser on web.
- Look at the top header (same bar as search and notifications).
- Find the sun / moon icon (or labeled Theme on wide screens).
On compact layouts, the icon may sit inside a more menu—open it if you do not see sun/moon immediately.
Step 2: Click to switch
- Click the theme icon once.
- The UI switches immediately—no save button required.
- Click again to return to the previous mode.
You should see backgrounds, cards, and sidebar invert within a second. If not, see Troubleshooting.
Step 3: Confirm persistence
- Navigate to another page (trades log, journal).
- Refresh the browser tab.
- Theme should remain as you left it.
Preference is stored per account + browser; a different browser or incognito window may default until you toggle again.
Automatic theme (optional)
Some TradeLyser builds offer auto theme:
- Dark during evening/night hours (local browser time)
- Light during morning/day hours
- Toggle in Settings → Appearance or via long-press on the theme icon (if available)
Auto theme helps traders who start pre-market in light mode and review after 6 PM in dark without manual switching. If auto conflicts with your room lighting, switch to manual mode and pin light or dark.
Theme across the product
Dashboard and widgets
Widgets (add widgets, PnL widget) respect global theme. Chart gridlines and card borders adjust automatically. Extreme custom CSS from browser extensions may clash—disable extensions if widgets look broken.
Tables and reports
Dense tables on generate reports and view trades log use theme-aware row striping. Export to PDF/CSV is unchanged by theme.
Calendar and checklist
Trading calendar heat maps (green/red days) keep semantic colors; only chrome switches. Track checklist completion yellow/partial states remain visible in both modes.
Notifications
Notification history and browser notifications use OS styling for popups; in-app panel follows your theme.
Accessibility and eye strain
- Increase browser zoom (Ctrl + +) independently of theme if text feels small.
- Dark mode is not a substitute for monitor brightness calibration.
- Color-blind traders should verify profit/loss colors on a few trades in both modes; use rate trades tags for extra context beyond color alone.
Mobile and tablet
On mobile access, theme may follow system dark mode on iOS/Android when “match system” is enabled in app settings. Web mobile uses the same header toggle when visible.
Theme toggle vs other UI settings
| Setting | What it changes |
|---|---|
| Theme toggle | Global light/dark palette |
| Widget preferences | Which metrics widgets show |
| Customize dashboard | Layout and widget slots |
| Navigate sidebar | Navigation collapse, not colors |
Change theme first for comfort; then tune widgets for content.
Workflow examples
Evening review ritual
- Toggle dark before opening trading calendar.
- Complete daily checklist.
- Write journal entry with reduced eye fatigue.
Mentor screen share
- Switch to light for clearer projection.
- Open mentee activity or shared reports.
- Return to dark after the call.
Display settings beyond light and dark
Some accounts expose additional Appearance controls under Settings:
- Font size or density (comfort vs data density on view trades log)
- Chart style defaults on dashboard widgets (performance chart widget)
- Reduced motion where supported—fewer animations when switching pages
These are independent of the header theme toggle. If you change density, re-check widget layouts after add widgets so numbers do not clip.
Working with screenshots and mentor reviews
Coaches often capture dashboard screenshots for mentees. Light mode produces higher contrast on projectors; dark mode reduces halo on OLED laptops in dim rooms. Before a group call:
- Toggle theme once and wait for charts to repaint.
- Hide sensitive account labels in broker screenshots separately—theme does not redact balances.
- If sharing screen from TradeLyser while logged in as mentor, confirm you are not accidentally showing a mentee view with someone else’s data.
After calls, return to your preferred theme so daily habits stay consistent.
Seasonal and session-based habits
Indian market sessions span early pre-open through evening review. Traders often adopt:
| Session | Theme habit |
|---|---|
| Pre-open research (8:00–9:00) | Light for news and spreadsheets side by side |
| Live market (9:15–15:30) | Personal preference; many keep light for broker terminal match |
| Post-market analytics (16:00+) | Dark for journal and AI analytics |
Auto theme, when available, approximates this curve without manual clicks. If you trade US markets at night, manual dark mode may still be better than auto tied only to local morning hours.
Integration with OS and browser
Windows 11 and macOS offer system-wide dark mode. TradeLyser’s in-app toggle can match or override system preference depending on build:
- Match system — follows OS when you have not set manual override
- Manual — sun/moon icon always wins until you click again
Browser forced dark extensions double-apply filters and may break chart colors. Whitelist tradelyser.com in extension settings or disable for the docs domain.
FAQ quick reference for theme issues
Traders migrating from spreadsheets often ask whether dark mode changes exported CSV from export reports—it does not. Others ask if mentees inherit mentor theme during screen share—they do not; each login keeps its own appearance. If widgets look washed out after an update, toggle theme twice and refresh dashboard before filing a bug with support@tradelyser.com.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Try |
|---|---|
| Icon missing | Widen window; check header overflow menu |
| Click does nothing | Hard refresh (Ctrl+F5); disable dark-mode extensions |
| Reverts to light every visit | Allow cookies/local storage; avoid strict private mode |
| Charts unreadable | Switch mode; update browser; report via support@tradelyser.com |
| Auto theme wrong timezone | Set OS timezone; sign out/in |
Light vs dark theme for post-market review in IST
Many Indian traders prefer light theme during the morning checklist and dark theme after 4:00 PM when reviewing charts beside a bright window is uncomfortable. Toggle from the header before deep work in trading calendar or equity curve—green/red P&L cells remain the same; only contrast changes. Dark mode can make thin gridlines on win-rate widgets easier on OLED phones used for mobile access.
If you share screens with a mentor on Pro, each login keeps its own theme—your dark UI does not force theirs. Disable third-party “dark reader” extensions on tradelyser.com to avoid double-inverted candle colors. After platform updates, toggle twice and refresh dashboard if widgets look washed out. Theme does not alter exported CSV from export filtered; only on-screen readability changes. Set OS appearance to automatic if your build supports match-system and you trade from a laptop that switches to dark after sunset IST.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Where is the dark mode toggle in TradeLyser?
In the header, click the sun or moon icon. Path: /docs/ui-preferences/theme-toggle.
Does dark mode save battery?
On OLED screens, dark backgrounds can use less power. Impact on LCD laptops is minor.
Will theme change my P&L numbers?
No. Only colors and surfaces change, not calculations (incorrect P&L issues are data-related).
Does theme sync between devices?
When logged into the same account, preference usually syncs. Verify on each device once.
Can I schedule dark mode automatically?
Use auto theme if your build shows it under Appearance or the theme control menu.
Do mentees see my theme choice?
No. Theme is per user login. Mentees viewing your data use their own UI settings.
Is there a high-contrast theme?
TradeLyser currently offers light/dark. Use browser zoom and OS high-contrast for additional needs.
Why do browser extensions break dark mode?
Extensions like “Dark Reader” double-invert pages. Disable them for tradelyser.com.
Does theme affect exported reports?
Exports use standard formatting; on-screen theme does not change CSV values.
Who do I contact for UI bugs?
Email support@tradelyser.com with browser, screenshot, and steps to reproduce.
Does theme affect PDF or shared report exports?
On-screen theme does not change exported file styling in most builds; exports use a standard light layout for readability.
Can I use dark mode on the marketing site and light mode in the app?
Yes. Marketing pages and docs may follow separate appearance settings from your logged-in TradeLyser session.
Need help? support@tradelyser.com · Contact Support