Custom Terminal Theme Import

ZestSSH Pro users can create, import, and export custom terminal themes. Terminal themes control the ANSI color palette, background, foreground, cursor, and selection colors inside the terminal emulator. They are independent of the app theme.

The .zestheme Format

Custom terminal themes use a JSON file with a .zestheme extension. The format maps directly to the xterm TerminalTheme structure.

{
  "name": "My Custom Theme",
  "colors": {
    "background": "#1a1b26",
    "foreground": "#c0caf5",
    "cursor": "#c0caf5",
    "selection": "#33467c",
    "black": "#15161e",
    "red": "#f7768e",
    "green": "#9ece6a",
    "yellow": "#e0af68",
    "blue": "#7aa2f7",
    "magenta": "#bb9af7",
    "cyan": "#7dcfff",
    "white": "#a9b1d6",
    "brightBlack": "#414868",
    "brightRed": "#f7768e",
    "brightGreen": "#9ece6a",
    "brightYellow": "#e0af68",
    "brightBlue": "#7aa2f7",
    "brightMagenta": "#bb9af7",
    "brightCyan": "#7dcfff",
    "brightWhite": "#c0caf5"
  }
}

Required Fields

• name — Human-readable theme name displayed in the theme picker.
• colors — Object containing all 20 color keys:
  • Core: background, foreground, cursor, selection
  • Standard ANSI: black, red, green, yellow, blue, magenta, cyan, white
  • Bright ANSI: brightBlack, brightRed, brightGreen, brightYellow, brightBlue, brightMagenta, brightCyan, brightWhite

All color values must be hex strings (e.g., "#1a1b26" or "#fff").

Importing a Theme

1. Go to Settings > Appearance > Terminal Themes.
2. Tap the Import button (file icon).
3. Select a .zestheme file from your device using the file picker.
4. The theme is validated, added to your custom themes list, and available immediately.

Requirements:

• ZestSSH Pro subscription required.
• The file must have a valid .zestheme extension.
• All 20 color keys must be present.

Building a Theme In-App

Instead of importing a file, you can build a custom terminal theme directly in ZestSSH:

1. Go to Settings > Appearance > Terminal Themes.
2. Tap Create Custom Theme.
3. The theme builder opens with a live preview terminal showing your color choices.
4. Adjust each of the 20 colors using the color picker.
5. Name your theme and save.

The builder groups colors into three sections:

• Core Colors — background, foreground, cursor, selection
• Standard ANSI — the 8 base ANSI colors
• Bright ANSI — the 8 bright ANSI variants

You can also edit an existing custom theme by tapping it and selecting Edit.

Exporting a Theme

1. Go to Settings > Appearance > Terminal Themes.
2. Long-press (or right-click on desktop) a custom theme.
3. Select Export / Share.
4. The theme is written to a temporary .zestheme file and shared via the system share sheet (mobile) or saved to a location you choose (desktop).

Exported files can be shared with other ZestSSH users or posted to community forums.

Community Themes

There is no built-in community theme browser. Sharing is done through manual file exchange — community-created themes can be shared as .zestheme files through forums, GitHub repositories, or direct file transfer. To use a community theme:

1. Download the .zestheme file.
2. Import it using the steps above.

Deleting a Custom Theme

Swipe left on a custom theme (mobile) or right-click and select Delete (desktop). Built-in themes cannot be deleted.