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The lua/user/colorscheme.lua file manages the active colorscheme for your Neovim configuration.

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Overview

This simple but essential file sets the default colorscheme and handles errors gracefully if the theme isn’t available.

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Default Configuration

lua/user/colorscheme.lua
local colorscheme = "tokyonight"

local status_ok, _ = pcall(vim.cmd, "colorscheme " .. colorscheme)
if not status_ok then
  return
end
The configuration uses a protected call (pcall) to prevent errors if the colorscheme isn’t installed.

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How It Works

1

Define colorscheme

The colorscheme variable stores the name of the desired theme:
local colorscheme = "tokyonight"
2

Protected call

pcall (protected call) attempts to execute the colorscheme command:
local status_ok, _ = pcall(vim.cmd, "colorscheme " .. colorscheme)
This prevents Neovim from throwing an error if the colorscheme isn’t installed.
3

Error handling

If the colorscheme fails to load, the function returns silently:
if not status_ok then
  return
end
Neovim will fall back to its default colorscheme.

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Available Colorschemes

The configuration comes with two colorschemes pre-installed:

Tokyo Night

Repository: folke/tokyonight.nvimA clean, dark colorscheme inspired by the Tokyo Night theme for VS Code.
local colorscheme = "tokyonight"
Variants:
  • tokyonight-night (default)
  • tokyonight-storm
  • tokyonight-day
  • tokyonight-moon

DarkPlus

Repository: lunarvim/darkplus.nvimA port of VS Code’s Dark+ theme.
local colorscheme = "darkplus"
Provides a familiar look for users coming from VS Code.

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Changing Colorschemes

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Temporary Change

To try a different colorscheme without editing files: 
:colorscheme darkplus
This change won’t persist after restarting Neovim.

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Permanent Change

  1. Open the colorscheme file: 
    :e ~/.config/nvim/lua/user/colorscheme.lua
  2. Change the colorscheme variable: 
    local colorscheme = "darkplus"  -- or any other installed theme
  3. Save and reload: 
    :w
:luafile %

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Tokyo Night Configuration

Tokyo Night offers several customization options beyond just choosing a variant.
To customize Tokyo Night, add configuration before setting the colorscheme:
lua/user/colorscheme.lua
-- Configure Tokyo Night before loading
require("tokyonight").setup({
  style = "night",           -- storm, moon, night, day
  transparent = false,        -- Enable transparent background
  terminal_colors = true,     -- Configure terminal colors
  styles = {
    comments = { italic = true },
    keywords = { italic = true },
    functions = {},
    variables = {},
  },
  sidebars = { "qf", "help" }, -- Darker sidebar for specific windows
  day_brightness = 0.3,       -- Brightness for day variant
  hide_inactive_statusline = false,
  dim_inactive = false,       -- Dim inactive windows
  lualine_bold = false,       -- Bold section headers in lualine
})

local colorscheme = "tokyonight"

local status_ok, _ = pcall(vim.cmd, "colorscheme " .. colorscheme)
if not status_ok then
  return
end

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Installing Additional Colorschemes

1

Add to plugins.lua

Open lua/user/plugins.lua and add your colorscheme plugin:
use { "catppuccin/nvim", as = "catppuccin" }
2

Install the plugin

Save the file and run:
:PackerSync
3

Update colorscheme.lua

Change the colorscheme variable to use the new theme:
local colorscheme = "catppuccin"
4

Reload configuration

Restart Neovim or source the colorscheme file:
:luafile ~/.config/nvim/lua/user/colorscheme.lua

-- In plugins.lua
use { "ellisonleao/gruvbox.nvim" }

-- In colorscheme.lua
local colorscheme = "gruvbox"
Retro groove colorscheme with warm, earthy tones.
-- In plugins.lua
use { "catppuccin/nvim", as = "catppuccin" }

-- In colorscheme.lua
local colorscheme = "catppuccin"
Soothing pastel theme with multiple flavors (latte, frappe, macchiato, mocha).
-- In plugins.lua
use { "shaunsingh/nord.nvim" }

-- In colorscheme.lua
local colorscheme = "nord"
Arctic, north-bluish color palette.
-- In plugins.lua
use { "EdenEast/nightfox.nvim" }

-- In colorscheme.lua
local colorscheme = "nightfox"
Multiple fox-themed variants (nightfox, dayfox, dawnfox, duskfox, nordfox, terafox).
-- In plugins.lua
use { "rebelot/kanagawa.nvim" }

-- In colorscheme.lua
local colorscheme = "kanagawa"
Dark colorscheme inspired by the colors of Kanagawa’s famous painting.

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Listing Available Colorschemes

To see all installed colorschemes: 
:colorscheme <Tab>
Press <Tab> to cycle through available options. Or use this command to get a list: 
:lua print(vim.inspect(vim.fn.getcompletion('', 'color')))

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Troubleshooting

If your colorscheme isn’t loading, check these common issues.
Problem: Error message about colorscheme not being found.Solution:
  1. Ensure the plugin is installed in plugins.lua
  2. Run :PackerSync to install/update plugins
  3. Restart Neovim
  4. Verify the exact colorscheme name (some require - or have variants)
Problem: Colors don’t match screenshots or documentation.Solution:
  1. Ensure your terminal supports true colors
  2. Enable true color support in options.lua: 
    termguicolors = true
  3. Check your terminal emulator’s color settings
Problem: Theme loads but elements are invisible or poorly colored.Solution:
  1. Some themes require specific configuration
  2. Check the theme’s GitHub README for setup instructions
  3. Clear Neovim’s cache: 
    rm -rf ~/.cache/nvim

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Advanced: Creating Colorscheme Switcher

Create a function to easily switch between colorschemes: 
local colorschemes = { "tokyonight", "darkplus", "gruvbox" }
local current_index = 1

function _G.cycle_colorscheme()
  current_index = current_index % #colorschemes + 1
  local scheme = colorschemes[current_index]
  vim.cmd("colorscheme " .. scheme)
  print("Colorscheme: " .. scheme)
end

-- Add keymap in keymaps.lua
keymap("n", "<leader>cs", ":lua cycle_colorscheme()<CR>", opts)

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See Also

Plugins

Manage and install colorscheme plugins

Options

Configure terminal colors and UI settings

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