How to use Codex Dream Skin: install and pick a theme

What you need before you install

Codex Dream Skin only works with the Codex desktop app. Install the official Codex / ChatGPT desktop app first, then run it once and quit it.

The project is aimed at macOS and Windows users. The README lists Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, and Windows x64.

• Official Codex / ChatGPT desktop app installed and run once
• macOS (Apple Silicon or Intel) or Windows x64

Install Codex Dream Skin on macOS or Windows

Download the package for your platform from the project's GitHub Releases page. The README says no source checkout, Node.js install, or command-line step is required.

On macOS the package is a .dmg file. On Windows it is a setup .exe file. Each platform has a first-run guide in the project's docs folder.

The public packages are unsigned, so a new download may show a one-time operating system security warning. The guides cover the safe approval path.

• macOS: CodexDreamSkin-vX.Y.Z.dmg, guide at docs/install-macos.md
• Windows: CodexDreamSkin-Setup-vX.Y.Z.exe, guide at docs/install-windows.md

Apply a theme from DreamSkin.cc

The DreamSkin.cc Gallery holds reviewed community themes. You can try a theme in the in-page desktop simulator before installing it.

If a theme shows an Apply button, it can be installed directly by the local client. This needs client v1.5.0 or newer, and the README recommends v1.5.5 or newer. The app shows a native confirmation before it changes anything, and it checks the package before applying it.

• Browse the Gallery at dreamskin.cc/gallery
• Click Apply on a theme page and confirm the native prompt
• Only themes with a background image, theme.json, a non-empty theme.css and the safe-css capability show the one-click button

Import a theme ZIP manually

If a theme does not show the one-click button, you can import it by hand. Pick an ordinary .zip file on either platform and the app adds a validated pack to your local library.

Themes in the library can be switched from the macOS menu bar or the Windows system tray. Both also link to the Gallery and Online Studio.

• Pick an ordinary .zip file in the app
• The pack is validated before it is added to the local library
• Switch saved themes from the macOS menu bar or Windows system tray

Make your own background in the Online Studio

The Online Studio runs in the browser. You can swap the background, tune theme colors and write Safe CSS, then export a .zip pack. You can also submit a theme to the library. Sign-in is required, and submitted themes are published after human review.

A UI-free image works best as a background. The README describes the background as one 16:9 image that spans the full window.

• Export a .zip pack from the Studio
• Submit to the library (sign-in required, published after human review)

Restore the stock look and keep your themes

To go back to the default appearance, use the one-click restore option. Updates are manual: install the new package over the existing one, and your themes and images are preserved.

For background transparency and deleting local themes, see the project's theme management guide at docs/theme-management.md.

• Restore returns the app to the stock look
• Install a new package over the old one to update without losing themes