How to Change or "Edit" Your Theme in PyCharm

You can change the theme and color scheme in PyCharm through the Settings dialog or using a quick switch menu.

PyCharm allows you to customize its appearance by changing the overall User Interface (UI) theme and the specific color scheme used for the code editor. Changing these settings is often referred to as "editing" your theme, as it alters the visual configuration of the IDE.

Here's how you can change your PyCharm theme and editor color scheme based on the available settings:

Changing Your PyCharm Theme and Color Scheme

PyCharm separates the look of the surrounding windows, menus, and dialogs (the UI theme) from the colors used for text, syntax highlighting, and background within the code editor pane (the editor color scheme). You can adjust both.

Method 1: Using the Settings Dialog

This is the most comprehensive way to manage your theme and color scheme.

1. Open the Settings dialog. The standard shortcut is Ctrl + Alt + S on Windows/Linux or Cmd + , on macOS.
2. In the settings tree on the left side of the dialog, navigate to Appearance & Behavior, and then select Appearance.
3. On the right-hand side of the Appearance settings, you will find the Theme option.
4. Select the UI theme from the Theme list. Click the dropdown menu next to "Theme" and choose your preferred look for the PyCharm interface, such as Light, Darcula (the default dark theme), IntelliJ Light, or High contrast.
5. Optionally, look for the Editor color scheme list, which is often located directly within or easily accessible from the Appearance settings section (sometimes under Editor | Color Scheme).
6. Optionally, select a color scheme from the Editor color scheme list. Choose a scheme that dictates the colors for your code's syntax highlighting, background, and other editor elements.
7. Click the Apply button at the bottom of the dialog to preview your changes, or OK to apply and close the dialog.

Method 2: Using the Switch Dialog

This method provides a quick way to switch between different UI themes without opening the full Settings dialog.

1. Press Ctrl + `` (backtick) on your keyboard. This shortcut opens the Switch dialog.
2. A small popup menu will appear. Select Theme from the list of options presented in the Switch list.
3. A secondary list will pop up, showing the available UI themes. Select the theme you wish to apply by clicking on its name. PyCharm will immediately switch to the selected UI theme.
4. Note: This method primarily changes the UI theme. To change the Editor color scheme, using the Settings dialog (Method 1) is recommended.

By following these steps, you can effectively change or "edit" the visual themes and color schemes used by your PyCharm IDE, customizing its appearance to your preference.