Welcome to the world of personalization within Roam Research! In this article, we’re diving deep into the Roam CSS System, an innovative but now deprecated tool that facilitates a modular and user-friendly approach to altering the visual aesthetics of your Roam experience. Though it has been superseded by Roam Studio, understanding the CSS System is essential for anyone looking to customize their workspace effectively.
What is the Roam CSS System?
The Roam CSS System provides users with a modular, block-based mechanism to redefine the look and feel of Roam Research. Designed specifically for users who may not have a technical background, it offers various minimalistic and elegantly designed themes, allowing users to make their Roam environment uniquely theirs.
Setting Up the Roam CSS System
Getting started with the Roam CSS System is as easy as pie. Just follow these simple steps:
- Create or modify your roamcss page.
- Add a new code block at the top and set the language to CSS.
Adding Themes to Roam CSS
Choose your desired theme and add the associated import line:
- For the iA Quattro theme, add this line:
@import url(https://rcvd.github.io/roam-css-system/themes/quattro.css);
@import url(https://rcvd.github.io/roam-css-system/themes/lesswrong.css);
Enforcing Light or Dark Modes
If you’re in the mood to embrace the darkness or the brightness, you can force either light or dark modes irrespective of system settings. Here’s how:
- For Dark Mode:
- iA Quattro:
@import url(https://rcvd.github.io/roam-css-system/themes/quattro_dark.css); - Lesswrong:
@import url(https://rcvd.github.io/roam-css-system/themes/lesswrong_dark.css);
- iA Quattro:
- For Light Mode:
- iA Quattro:
@import url(https://rcvd.github.io/roam-css-system/themes/quattro_light.css); - Lesswrong:
@import url(https://rcvd.github.io/roam-css-system/themes/lesswrong_light.css);
- iA Quattro:
Customizing Your Themes
With over 400 UI elements to tweak and more than 1,700 attributes available, customizing your theme is a powerful feature. You can find detailed instructions here. This means you can make your Roam environment as personal and functional as you’d like.
Understanding the Code: A Fun Analogy
Think of the Roam CSS System as a wardrobe for your digital workspace. Each theme you import is like a different outfit. You might wear a business suit (Lesswrong) for a serious meeting or your favorite cozy sweater (iA Quattro) when you are relaxing at home. The lines of code you write are the instructions for changing, modifying, or styling your digital attire, ensuring you feel comfortable and inspired while working within Roam. Just remember to select your outfit appropriately for the occasion!
Bugs and Feedback
If you encounter any glitches, don’t hesitate to create a report under Issues with a brief description and a screenshot. For discussions or queries, feel free to reach out on Twitter or email at roam(at)rcvd(dot)io.
Troubleshooting
Encountering challenges is a part of the journey! If the themes do not load or display as expected, consider the following troubleshooting steps:
- Ensure that you have copied the import lines correctly without any typographical errors.
- Check your internet connection, as these imports reference online resources.
- Clear your browser’s cache and refresh the Roam Research application to apply changes.
- If issues persist, explore the discussions and FAQs on the Roam community forums.
- For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.
At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.
Happy customizing!

