What a Codex theme preview must prove
A Codex theme preview must prove that the skin still works as a tool. The preview should show the first impression, a long reading surface, and a code-review surface. If it only shows an empty home screen or a cropped wallpaper, it does not answer the main question: can someone work in this for hours?
Surface 1: Home
The Home surface tests the emotional promise. It is where the background image, accent color, glass treatment, and brand feeling appear together. The Home preview should include navigation, project entry points, prompt area, and at least one active control.
A good Home preview has one dominant focal point. If the background, title, cards, and controls all demand attention, reduce saturation or dim the image.
Surface 2: Task
The Task surface is the most important preview because it represents real usage. Include long paragraphs, code blocks, status labels, buttons, and the composer. Check whether the user can scan the sidebar while reading the main column.
This is where many Codex skins fail. A theme can look excellent in a hero mockup and still feel tiring when task text sits on translucent panels for an hour.
Surface 3: Diff
The Diff surface tests semantic color. Additions, removals, selected rows, inline comments, and file names must remain clear. Avoid accent colors that look too close to diff green or diff red. A pretty accent is not worth confusing review state.
If your Codex theme preview cannot include a real diff, make a representative mock with added and removed lines. The goal is not perfect fidelity; the goal is to catch contrast problems before sharing.
Checklist before export
Run a structured pass before exporting the skin. This keeps the final package from becoming a screenshot-first artifact. A preview-ready Codex skin should meet readability, rights, and recovery requirements.
- Normal text reaches a 4.5:1 contrast target when possible.
- Controls and focus states remain visible.
- The background subject avoids the reading column.
- Diff colors are distinct from decorative accents.
- The package contains no executable code.
- The source artwork has redistribution rights if shared.
- A restore path is documented and tested.
Final recommendation
Treat the Codex theme preview as a quality gate. If the preview does not show real work surfaces, the skin is not ready to publish.
FAQ
How many previews should a Codex skin include?
At minimum, include Home, Task, and Diff previews. Add mobile or narrow-window previews if the workflow supports them.
What is the most important Codex theme preview?
The Task preview is the most important because it tests long-form readability.