[wp-trac] [WordPress Trac] #64546: Change the default admin color scheme from "Default" to "Modern"

[WordPress Trac]

#64546: Change the default admin color scheme from "Default" to "Modern"
--------------------------+------------------------------------------------
 Reporter:  fabiankaegy   |       Owner:  (none)
     Type:  enhancement   |      Status:  new
 Priority:  normal        |   Milestone:  7.0
Component:                |     Version:
  Administration          |
 Severity:  normal        |  Resolution:
 Keywords:  has-patch     |     Focuses:  ui, accessibility, administration
--------------------------+------------------------------------------------
Changes (by sabernhardt):

 * focuses:  ui, administration => ui, accessibility, administration
 * milestone:  Awaiting Review => 7.0


Old description:

> This is a subticket of #64308 (WordPress Admin Visual Reskin).
>
> As part of the WordPress 7.0 visual refresh, this ticket proposes
> changing the default admin color scheme from "Default" (fresh) to
> "Modern" for all users.
>
> = Background =
>
> The "Default" color scheme has been the admin default since WordPress
> 3.8. The "Modern" color scheme was introduced more recently and better
> aligns with the WordPress Design System and the visual direction
> established by the Block Editor and Site Editor.
>
> With the visual reskin effort underway, switching to the "Modern" scheme
> as the default provides a more cohesive experience out of the box.
>
> = Proposed Changes =
>
>  * '''Update the default for new users''': Change the fallback color
> scheme from {{{fresh}}} to {{{modern}}} in user creation and the color
> picker.
>  * '''Migrate existing users''': Add a database upgrade routine that
> migrates users currently set to {{{fresh}}} to {{{modern}}}.
>
> = Files Affected =
>
>  * {{{src/wp-includes/version.php}}} – Bump {{{$wp_db_version}}}
>  * {{{src/wp-admin/includes/upgrade.php}}} – Add {{{upgrade_700()}}}
> function
>  * {{{src/wp-includes/user.php}}} – Change default in
> {{{wp_insert_user()}}}
>  * {{{src/wp-admin/includes/misc.php}}} – Change fallback in
> {{{admin_color_scheme_picker()}}}
>
> = Important Consideration =
>
> WordPress does not track whether a user explicitly selected a color
> scheme or inherited the default. This means users who intentionally chose
> "Default" will also be migrated to "Modern". These users can re-select
> "Default" from their profile settings if desired.
>
> The "Default" color scheme will remain available as an option for users
> who prefer it.
>
> = Testing =
>
>  * Verify new user accounts receive the "Modern" color scheme
>  * Verify the upgrade routine migrates existing {{{fresh}}} users to
> {{{modern}}}
>  * Verify users with other color schemes (Light, Blue, Midnight, etc.)
> are unaffected
>  * Verify "Default" scheme remains selectable in user profile
>
> = Related Tickets =
>
>  * #64308 – Explore a "Coat-of-Paint" Visual Reskin of the WordPress
> Admin for WordPress 7.0

New description:

 This is a subticket of #64308 (WordPress Admin Visual Reskin).

 As part of the WordPress 7.0 visual refresh, this ticket proposes changing
 the default admin color scheme from "Default" (fresh) to "Modern" for all
 users.

 == Background ==

 The "Default" color scheme has been the admin default since WordPress 3.8.
 The "Modern" color scheme was introduced more recently and better aligns
 with the WordPress Design System and the visual direction established by
 the Block Editor and Site Editor.

 With the visual reskin effort underway, switching to the "Modern" scheme
 as the default provides a more cohesive experience out of the box.

 == Proposed Changes ==

  * '''Update the default for new users''': Change the fallback color
 scheme from {{{fresh}}} to {{{modern}}} in user creation and the color
 picker.
  * '''Migrate existing users''': Add a database upgrade routine that
 migrates users currently set to {{{fresh}}} to {{{modern}}}.

 == Files Affected ==

  * {{{src/wp-includes/version.php}}} – Bump {{{$wp_db_version}}}
  * {{{src/wp-admin/includes/upgrade.php}}} – Add {{{upgrade_700()}}}
 function
  * {{{src/wp-includes/user.php}}} – Change default in
 {{{wp_insert_user()}}}
  * {{{src/wp-admin/includes/misc.php}}} – Change fallback in
 {{{admin_color_scheme_picker()}}}

 == Important Consideration ==

 WordPress does not track whether a user explicitly selected a color scheme
 or inherited the default. This means users who intentionally chose
 "Default" will also be migrated to "Modern". These users can re-select
 "Default" from their profile settings if desired.

 The "Default" color scheme will remain available as an option for users
 who prefer it.

 == Testing ==

  * Verify new user accounts receive the "Modern" color scheme
  * Verify the upgrade routine migrates existing {{{fresh}}} users to
 {{{modern}}}
  * Verify users with other color schemes (Light, Blue, Midnight, etc.) are
 unaffected
  * Verify "Default" scheme remains selectable in user profile

 == Related Tickets ==

  * #64308 – Explore a "Coat-of-Paint" Visual Reskin of the WordPress Admin
 for WordPress 7.0

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Ticket URL: <https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/64546#comment:2>
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