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Draft:Monokai

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Monokai
Original author(s)Wimer Hazenberg
Initial release2006
Stable release
Monokai Pro / 2017
Operating systemCross-platform
TypeSyntax highlighting color scheme
LicenseProprietary monokai.pro/license
Websitemonokai.pro

Monokai is a syntax highlighting color scheme originally created by Dutch designer and developer Wimer Hazenberg in 2006. Monokai was originally designed for the macOS code editor TextMate, and has since been adopted across a broad range of code editors and integrated development environments. Its successor, Monokai Pro, introduced in 2017, builds on the original design with additional features like icon packs and multiple color filters. Monokai Pro is available for Sublime Text[1] , Visual Studio Code[2] and Jetbrains IDEs[3].

History

Monokai was developed by Wimer Hazenberg for his personal use[4], and was first shared on the TextMate community wiki in mid-2006[5]. Named after Hazenberg's online alias[6], the scheme emphasized aesthetic appeal, clarity, and minimal visual noise. It gained popularity and was adopted as the default color scheme in Sublime Text[7].

Over the years, Monokai became one of the standards for dark themes in code editors, with unofficial ports available for Vim, Emacs, Notepad++, and many other editors and terminal emulators.

Design

Monokai is known for its dark background combined with bright accent colors. Common elements include pink for keywords, a soft yellow for strings, and dimmed comments. According to Hazenberg, the scheme was designed to be "beautiful and functional", emphasizing important code elements while subduing others for better focus[8].

According to Hazenberg, "there isn't a definitive mathematical formula for determining a color's perceived lightness, and even established color spaces like CIELAB and OKLAB have their limitations". Furthermore, contrast ratio tools can be suggested for readability, but they don’t universally apply to all color combinations. He therefore considers theme creation "more an art than a science", and emphasizes subjective visual balance over algorithmic optimization[8].

Adoption

Monokai has been adopted across multiple platforms and code editors. It is available through official extensions in Sublime Text[1], Visual Studio Code[2] and JetBrains IDEs[3]. The theme is frequently featured in code screenshots, and has been featured in TV shows such as Silicon Valley and Mr. Robot[8]. Monokai Pro has been featured in multiple best-of Youtube videos, often praised for its balanced aesthetics. [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]

Monokai Pro

In 2017, Hazenberg released Monokai Pro[15], a commercial upgrade that retained the original color spirit but added refinements such as color filters (Machine, Octagon, Ristretto, Spectrum), a cohesive user interface (UI) theme, and a custom icon set. The original Monokai theme is also included, rebranded as the Classic filter[16].

Monokai Pro is available as a Sublime Text package, a plugin for Visual Studio Code, and a JetBrains plugin. As of 2025, the Visual Studio Code extension has received over 3.5 million installs[2]. It is offered under a freemium model, with additional filters and features available for purchase.

Monokai Pro is considered the first commercial color theme for code editors, introducing a paid licensing model at a time when themes were typically free. To promote registration, it includes occasional popups in supported editors reminding users to purchase a license.

In 2024, Hazenberg released a light mode variant named Monokai Pro Light along with a new Sun filter designed for bright environments. It is included as a free upgrade in the Monokai Pro plugin[8].

Legacy

Monokai has become an influential color scheme in modern software development. Its adoption across platforms, along with numerous forks and inspired themes, underscores its lasting impact. As Hazenberg notes, Monokai has been "recycled, remixed and implemented in more software products than I can count."[8]

References

  1. ^ a b "Monokai Pro Theme". Sublime Text Package Control. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "Monokai Pro - Visual Studio Code Extension". Visual Studio Marketplace. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Monokai Pro Theme". JetBrains Marketplace. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  4. ^ "Textmate color theme". Monokai Blog (via Web Archive). Retrieved 5 March 2007.
  5. ^ "User Submitted Themes". Textmate Wiki (via Web Archive). Retrieved 12 June 2007.
  6. ^ "Monokai - Creative Studio of Wimer Hazenberg". Monokai. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  7. ^ "About Sublime Text". SublimeText.com. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  8. ^ a b c d e "The History of Monokai Pro". Monokai.pro. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  9. ^ "Monokai Pro Theme Review". Youtube. Paul Halliday. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  10. ^ "My VSCode Theme and Font Setup". Youtube. Coding in Public. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  11. ^ "Best 50 VSCode Themes". Youtube. AsmrCoding. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  12. ^ "5 Best VSCode Themes". Youtube. Coding in Public. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  13. ^ "Ranking the BEST VS Code Themes". Youtube. Giodev. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  14. ^ "VSCode: Beautiful themes". Youtube. Igor Babko. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  15. ^ Hazenberg, Wimer. "Monokai Pro". Monokai Pro. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  16. ^ Hazenberg, Wimer (22 June 2017). "Monokai Pro – Beautiful Functionality for Professional Developers". HackerNoon. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
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