plasma-apply-colorscheme: Quick Guide

plasma-apply-colorscheme

Switch KDE Plasma color schemes from the command line. This is handy when you want to test themes without opening System Settings.

Quick start

  • List available color schemes:
plasma-apply-colorscheme --list-schemes
  • Apply a color scheme:
plasma-apply-colorscheme {{BreezeLight}}
  • Display help:
plasma-apply-colorscheme --help

Note: Replace BreezeLight with any scheme name you see from the list. The exact name matters.

Examples

  • See all schemes, pick one you like, and apply it in one go:
plasma-apply-colorscheme --list-schemes | head -n 20
plasma-apply-colorscheme BreezeDark
  • Quick check if a scheme exists before applying:
if plasma-apply-colorscheme --list-schemes | grep -qx "BreezeLight"; then
  plasma-apply-colorscheme BreezeLight
fi

Common pitfalls

  • Command not found: Ensure plasma-apply-colorscheme is installed and in your PATH. It ships with KDE Plasma packages.
  • Invalid scheme name: The name must match exactly what --list-schemes outputs. Extra whitespace or case differences will fail.
  • Changes not visible: Some themes require a Plasma restart. If you don’t see changes, try reloading Plasma:
plasmashell --replace & disown
  • Running as root: Do not run this as root; color schemes apply to your user session.

Best practices

  • Preview first: Always run --list-schemes to avoid typos.
  • Keep a fallback: If a theme looks off, switch back to a known good scheme and consider filing a bug if the issue is theme-specific.
  • Persisting after logout: The chosen scheme persists across sessions for your user, so the change remains after you sign out.

Troubleshooting tips

  • If the command reports an error about missing resources, ensure your Plasma version supports the theme or try a different scheme.
  • If you’re using a minimal window manager without Plasma GUI, color scheme switching may not apply.
  • For stubborn themes, log out and back in, or restart plasmashell:
plasmashell --replace & disown

How it fits in a workflow

  • When configuring new machines or sharing a consistent look, listing and applying schemes with a script keeps setups reproducible.
  • Automate testing of a few themes by looping through --list-schemes and applying each in turn (with a short sleep in between).

For more details and the latest options, see the project page:

https://invent.kde.org/plasma/plasma-workspace

See Also