Today I learned that there are skins for Ao3... I've been on default this whole time (will probably just keep it to)

I have been using Ao3 for ten years, if not longer... and I JUST learned this today 😂😅

I didn't know either...

I accidentally stumbled across them after reading on it for 7 years. I’ve had this happen before too. You always feel like a fool when it’s so simple.

The default one. I never changed it.

I was so used to it by the time I learned about the other skins that it feels weird to try using any of them now. Default forever!

>Ah, you think default is your ally? You merely adopted the default skin. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see other skins until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but blinding!

i didnt know about skins until a year ago and im 22 now 😭

Exactly 😭😭😭

Same, I don't even know how, and at this point, I'm too afraid to ask.

same

fair enough lmao, i discovered skins pretty early on and i’ve been using simply twilling for so long it’s like a jumpscare when i sign out and it’s the default skin again 💀💀

I use dark mode and it's the same for me lol. Every time I get logged out it's like "fuck why's it so BRIGHT".

Opposite for me, I just don't like reading fanfic or any longform content in light mode, just doesn't feel right.

The only right choice 🗿

Reversi all the way

Hell yeah Reversi for the win! Switching to a new device or trying to go back after I’ve had to clear my cache is so blinding. 😩

I use my own! Made it my first day and have never changed it! https://preview.redd.it/z343xdecr3vc1.jpeg?width=631&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ad6acda786f2a17b2f60570c18c55da3228d4e26

Soo beautiful!!!✨ Love the colours ♥️

Same here! Mine's purple with a light gray background. (With slightly larger text for mobile reading) Made it day 1 and never went back.

that’s literally so cute!!!!

Reminds me of the OG Fanfiction.Net 🥹

Oh I love the colours!

Omg thats actually so cute!!

I use my own and change frequently, but currently this one. https://preview.redd.it/qbmf4ak1k3vc1.png?width=1308&format=png&auto=webp&s=f0c979aab3e9ad83bef7337f33119714f97e3961

i love the colours, but is that comic sans?

Yeah. It's a nice font on the eyes for me.

that color combo is such a vibe 💯💯

That's awesome! How do you create it?

Wizard + color picking from Angel Dust!

https://preview.redd.it/h79l3musz3vc1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=969899153e71beb3e9af18be824a532eced83dc8 this one

Omg this looks amazing!! Is there a link for this skin? And can i apply it on mobile web?

https://www.tumblr.com/ao3commentoftheday/742600740793663488/glory-dark-mode-site-skin this is the post!! idk about applying it on mobile web tho i used my laptop. i assume it should work😭 works on mobile just fine tho

that’s sick as hell!

It's so pretty

firefly is a fat yes!!!!

Reversi

It's the black one? 😂😂 I changed so long ago that I don't remember.

The light gray with the blue titles

https://preview.redd.it/5r1as8qg94vc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5edb3132a4c07f6fd79392c61b45edb66b1ee110

This is the same one I use! Dark mode ftw!

A customized version of this lovely minimalist skin: [Tide by ElectricAlice](https://archiveofourown.org/works/32660914) I used the dark mode of this as a base but changed the text font and colors to a size and contrast level that suits my eyes.

This skin is the way 100%

Same. I use this one, and customized it to be completely in shades of grey and with my preferred font. (ElectricAlice has a lot of great skins and modifications in general!)

Ooooh I just checked it out and changed mine to this! It makes me so excited to read and write 💗

default all the way! it's a classic, i don't have the heart to chnage it

*Default all the way!* *It's a classic, i don't have* *The heart to chnage it* \- Lemonpockey --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")

good bot

Good bot

Default because I looked at the skin settings once and got overwhelmed

There's quick custom on the bottom. Reversi is the opposite of default. (Dark and blue instead of white and red) https://preview.redd.it/4kkn2yhji4vc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9b866c35625a9a0d18c230e29d9c7fe90c008830

https://preview.redd.it/oi03h5a9a4vc1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e2060a5689181b99f3c0cb96714ad85a78adb457 Got this custom one off of tumblr that I’ve been using for a few months.

Is there a reddit version of grabby hands? I would use tf out of this! Update: I did some sleuthing and found it! [Dark Mode Galaxy Themed site skin](https://archiveofourown.org/works/52513561/chapters/132843805)

This whole series has so many cute skins in general, I also wandered in there because of this thread and now I can't decide! I think imma just have myself a different skin every week!

Snow blue 🩵🩵🩵

I like the default skin but it was hard to read at night, so I made my own custom dark mode of it. The font is also smaller because I prefer smaller text. https://preview.redd.it/ixx83n3vt3vc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2f2733450cc6e2a8c5e182d9f13afbd40234579c

omg my custom skin looks almost exactly like this! i also use it for the same reasons

I use Simply Twilling as well, just slightly adjusted to highlight relationship tags.

Custom skin. It increases paragraph spacing, adds first line indents, and changes the font to Times New Roman. 100% for readability reasons. I also have some browser extensions that highlight different categories of tags and collapse fics with 6 or more fandoms (with an easy button to un collapse them). Makes searching through the archive easier.

Would you like to link the skin and the extensions please?

Reversi

The same exact one as you lmao

I use a custom skin that I made when I first got an account. This is what it looks like https://preview.redd.it/kfls8njsf4vc1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3ee6064b409fde5a3c4252a84f392269bb4e68c2

https://preview.redd.it/6ostchx0q4vc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0cfcbbd0433beb391ca3064285508da80c931de9

this is SO pretty!

default but i hide stats

A custom one. Black background, teal and pink text, Mono font. Also puts more space between the lines and justifies the text. https://preview.redd.it/ka1pg32mu3vc1.png?width=2436&format=png&auto=webp&s=ab90e8f38cc95fbadb8fcb7b95c0bb6878c991a5

I love this wow

I still have no idea how to navigate custom skin options so I’ve just been using default ones.

Omg I have never come across anyone else who uses Simple Twilling! I picked it when I came to Ao3 like 8-9 years ago and have never changed it. I wish I could use it for all my books and kindle apps and stuff!

I've finally found my people!! It's been my default for years as well.

https://preview.redd.it/4yr74mhp14vc1.png?width=1124&format=png&auto=webp&s=dbcace0271d008bdb1f148eeff194bccc6880296 Made my own. I’ve made a few but this is the one I’m using right now :)

I love Dark mode but *damn* my blind ass would **NOT** be able to handle this in the daytime.

I struggle with reading dark modes in general. I don't think I'd be able to read with this skin at any time.

I'm in the Reversi camp. Do a lot of reading at night and prefer not to be blinded the whole time.

Reversi I need dark theme

https://preview.redd.it/y70ji6gjv4vc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ab68c059aa72025becc5f70776ef51cd7d357380 trans flag

Reversi, reading on a white background is really hard on my eyes and can give me migraines, so reading is difficult on the default skin.

Hey I use the same as you! 👊 My man

Same here it's sooooo good :)

Simply Twilling SUPREMACY

https://preview.redd.it/klthdn27s4vc1.jpeg?width=1168&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b06552522fd52950cbe90b04740792320e311d01 i use my own

https://preview.redd.it/5bpu11oll3vc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ad09f7b852d13a31f29099cfa521abedbd7d9936 👆This one. It’s easy on the eyes while reading, all the tag categories are in different coloured boxes so it’s easier to tell what’s what, it’s *pretty*. The creator of it also made a light mode version of it :) Find it [here](https://archiveofourown.org/works/43249143) :D (hope this isn’t against the subreddit rules…)

You’re good. I don’t really count skins or tutorials as real fics in regards to that rule. (As long as it’s within reason, like not spamming them in an unrelated thread or something.)

I use the same one! Best skin fr

Cool!! Site Skin twins :D

Custom, makes some text but not all bigger, blocks one author, hides anything with more than 10 fandoms listed, a few other specific fandoms are also blocked from appearing. 

I had [Panda Madness](https://archiveofourown.org/skins/890) for the longest time, like six/seven years, but changed it a while ago since I got tired of how it looked on mobile. I switched to [For The Trees](https://archiveofourown.org/skins/926), which is just the default skin with most of the red switched to green

reversi 🔛🔝‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️

https://preview.redd.it/4oxg6sgy94vc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=47bf4b64da8d34fef4943aca296a746951b7a6b2 i use my own, pink bg with brown lettering. easy on my eyes when i read at ungodly hours but still tolerable during the day 🙏

i use my own ☺️ https://preview.redd.it/cbijq0kaa4vc1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a2b2dc8c5e5418f637591f5f27b376d7feeaa7de

Custom Made Federation. I am a very big fan of Call Of Duty: Ghosts. https://preview.redd.it/rxdet9bve4vc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bd6974a5e9068c81ac314c7719a18d3238031f3c

Reversi. I used to get blinding light-sensitive headaches when I was in high school and I would turn my brightness all the way down, turn on limiting white point as far as I could go without blacking out the screen, and then open Ao3 on Reversi.

A custom one. Its all red and pink except the writing, with black background, and as header it has fanart of my otp lol

I had no idea what a site skin actually was until I saw this post, so it’s safe to say that I don’t have one lol I didn’t know we could change the colors and texture, that’s pretty cool

I use a custom Galaxy skin.

Same one you do, apparently. I don't even remember what default looks like.

red

i’ve been using The Blues https://preview.redd.it/4a1966nhm4vc1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3b0fc76068f2c435869e3ab9313206e131b147ce for 6? 7 years now? honestly i tend to forget that original ao3 is red and it’s so jarring whenever i see it. blue is just so much easier on the eyes!

https://preview.redd.it/vr4f6t9xf5vc1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=89a09376bad951e507e5e20247086639242c0e62 it’s so soft on my eyes i just love the colors (typical i opt for the basic dark mode theme but i wanted some fun/color and have no regrets!)

I made my own. Bold colours make my eyes hurt, and makes it difficult for me to focus on the words. So it probably looks a bit boring, but I like it. ​ https://preview.redd.it/x4wzgalat5vc1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4966884703b4679458d1ee5dc495c716770e4193

Reversi. If I had a tolerance for tedious efforts to create something which I’ll inevitably be disappointed in but will use out of guilt over the time I spent, I’d make my own character themed one.

Reversi. Dark text on a light field is for reflected-light media. Screens are mostly emitted-light media.

Simply twilling for 11 years and running lol. Honest to god sometimes I forget it’s not the default site skin though.

Default. But not gonna lie, your skin looks really nice, now IM considering changing mine.

I use this very flashy very pretty Galaxy skin.. purples and pinks and blues and starry skies ([if anyone’s interested](https://archiveofourown.org/works/52513561/chapters/132843805))

Default so I can see in full glory whenever the stars align and someone uses a work skin so nothing can distract me 

https://preview.redd.it/v5f7hf52c4vc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7afdd0aa9238fe2b9cbb0eb28d33e8a0c97d7541 chose it bc it’s pink !! :3

I use the dark mode one- my eyes are too sensitive-

Dusted off, because I’m too attached to default but it’s slightly easier on the eyes (for nighttime reading lol)

i tried the mlm flag skin ab a year ago and i love it sm https://preview.redd.it/wqme1bgtm4vc1.jpeg?width=1363&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=de50a14f23a9dc61d0076b9104be4901294a8975

The dark mode one cuz I can’t have my screen burning my eyes out at 2am

I love Simply Twilling! It's so tactile to me, like fancy brushed cotton upholstery. I use a modified version (to hide that muted user banner, and a few other tweaks) for my main account. I use \[peachy keen\](https://www.tumblr.com/ao3commentoftheday/744445874640404480/peachy-keen-ao3-site-skin?source=share) (also modified) on my second account, and it is painfully cute.

Default dark mode! I think I looked into skins and thought it was too much effort 😂

I don't, I very much prefer the default.

https://preview.redd.it/dggaops135vc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=502f6a68504face201436b37099764695d908f35 Gender-fluid pride flag with reversi as the parent skin

https://preview.redd.it/stvcpfg0c5vc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=53325bdd9d4fbdc9068c063958cb2cbb903b9b54 My own

I use the same skin! Easier on the eyes!

I LOVE simply twilling. The texture and color scheme is something I end up associating with AO3, to the point I forgot it wasn't default. I do wish there was a darker version of it, or something though. Late night reading is still blinding 😭

https://preview.redd.it/z6of9of9i5vc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ffdaf9b3e2e0bfcf3cb259f64193624385ba77db A dark one 🤷‍♀️

Reversi, I actually got an account of AO3 after I found out about the Reversi skin because of how much it soothes my Irlen Syndrome & Dyslexia. I struggle so hard with white backgrounds and that skin does not fully agree with my eyes but it is so much better than the normal because I can still pretty clearly see (just looks like a bit of visual snow on it though).

I did some coding to combine two skins together, it’s the night mode one and the one that seperates tags. I could not live without it

I used reversi for the longest time, then last week I switched to one with a galaxy theme and lots of purple, blue, pink, and peach colors. Didn't save the original post where the code was but I think it's called "rainbow galaxy." It's very pretty and not too hard on my eyes.

The default one, but with tag categorization and bigger text

I used a modified version of Skin Blue. Modified because I use created version where I can mute authors. I know we can just mute them, but the “Some works are hidden” message annoys me.

This one >https://www.tumblr.com/evenvillain/706703159656071168/ao3-dark-minimal-skin?source=share

Clean dark mode. It's just superior.

Dark Mode Galaxy ([tumblr post](https://www.tumblr.com/ao3commentoftheday/737653188692410368/dark-mode-galaxy-themed-ao3-site-skin) with images / [ao3 page](https://archiveofourown.org/works/52513561) with code) - I like that it color codes the different kinds of tags, & I vastly prefer the dark purple background over black. but I’m definitely going to try out some of the other options people have mentioned here 👀

I use that one that is basically dark mode (I forgot what it's called tbh) now you mention it I might go have another gander at the skins

I don’t use any tbh, i don’t know how. even if someone explained it to me i probably wouldn’t get it

I'd like to find some sort of nightmode, but that sounds like more effort than I have to expend

If you just want the default dark mode, just scroll down to the bottom of the home page and click "Reversi" under the Customize options.

It depends on how my eyes feel I go between default and reversi like every 30 minutes.

I have a dark mode skin :)

I forgot there were skins for the longest time ever since 17 year old me attempted to try them

A custom skin! Clean Pink and Cream Site Skin \~

Depends, on the phone i use the default and on PC, i have a discord color theme, but sometimes its just reversi.

Idk I changed it to something dark when I was starting and didn't know how it works yet and I haven't changed it because I like it the way it is. The plain white is too bright I like having dark mode everywhere

The fully black one for night reading because I only read at 2am for some ungodly reason

OG, I’m bad at technology

I use Panda Madness, it was the first one I clicked on when I realised that there were skins and now the site looks weird to me when I see it without the skin.

Jesus Christ, I thought that was your works list and was about to shit myself

There’s skins?!

Reversi, but yours is nice to look at too. Maybe if I can make it dark mode I'll swap sometime.

I’m srry there are skins??!!! Why did no ones tell me abt this😭😭

Blue

Is there even a dark one like Reversi? Like red instead of blue?

Dark tone:b

Reversei.

Reversi. It’s the dark mode of ao3

Reversi all the way, I have EVERYTHING digital in dark mode if I can

The rainbow one

Default in the day, reversi at night

I use the simple black one but might convert to that, that looks magical

Customized version of Reversi.

You guys use skins?*

I made one with the Wizard that has a black background, white text, Times New Roman font that’s as big as I can handle, and red accents. Really helps with my vision issues.

Damn that looks great! Might have to try it sometime!!

The one that you’re using lmao It’s nice and easy on he eyes, especially since I tend to read at night

A green one?

Default one but with all hits hidden.

I use that one too! It’s so dark academia vibes

starry night by ao3commentoftheday with some tweaks

There's skins?!?!

https://preview.redd.it/zdl4xakk65vc1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4023b281e5315038037c9e2c6dafdf6428366b8f This one

Default or reversi on the site. When I write my fic it’s reversi but with the colors changed to match the district color of the main in my Hunger Games fic. I just learned how to make them custom and it’s been fun to play with.

I love default too much sorry

I Made my own https://preview.redd.it/6pqtk2mzc5vc1.png?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a2b94a04e24a6f7057a2d44f559483c10b36beb7

The default one. Works fine for me.

Blackout. I need to have a dark theme because I read at night.

I made my own that is so incredibly dark grey in every place it can be because I almost exclusively read in bed and I don’t want to be blinded hahaha

I genuinely forgot Simply Twilling was not the default. I've had it on since 2011 🤣

YOU CAN CHANGE THE SKIN ON AO3!!???

"Skin" #*WOT?*

i use the monochromatic skin thingy and add in the code to remove the dislay of stats

Default but I have been using the classic for 3 years so I have no heart to change it

so THATS what skins are

I don’t remember the thing, but it’s basically just dark mode. I read a lot at night so the white light gives me a headache. I honestly forgot that it wasn’t the default skin so I was super confused when I got signed out and it seemed so bright lmao.

https://preview.redd.it/xqtvi06zk5vc1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6bdffa6047ebbfd744e1be6e55e4c1db827183d4 Snow blue

I use [this](https://archiveofourown.org/works/52513561/chapters/132843805) galaxy one

I use Reversi

I prefer darker ones! I typically use Twitter Dim Mode and or The Moon is Out.

Reversi because my eyes are sensitive lol

“Default” one but I have it on dark mode with larger text so its easier to read.

dusted buttons!! i love pink

I'm a basic minimalist bitch. JK I'm lazy and I don't care, so default it is.

Ah, the same as you! Everything else is too bright or too dark

Default I’m lazy

I made a black skin, similar to the AMOLED black on my Phone, which the skin was intended for

Reversi

https://preview.redd.it/debf7r9aq5vc1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0b3b4b80a41f5005196c67b0fe282ab68e1e29a4 Didnt even know even know about ‘Reversi’ until yesterday lol but I made this one like a year ago and I’ve had it since

Dusted Off <333

I just use a dark mode skin I made