Finally, a real dark mode for SQL Server Management Studio!
Save your eyes with a nice dark theme.
Download for Windows
SQL Shades v1.3.560 · 2025-02-07 · 16,491 KB · SSMS 18, 19, & 20
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Everybody's talking about SQL Shades 😎
Germany
In general I like the Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio. For decades it helps to access SQL Server databases. Every new version is like the old one. With a hack you could even get something like a dark theme. With black letters on black background in context menus. And the hack disappears with every new version of SSMS. Now I found SQL Shades. It contains a real dark theme with readable context menus and brings the UI of SSMS to the current decade. Thank you very much for this lightweight solution of a obvious request!
United States
Great add on, very kind developer. Give your eyes a rest!
SQL Shades is a game-changing feature that not only enhances the user's visual experience by reducing eye strain and fatigue, but also represents a forward-thinking approach to design that prioritizes user comfort and well-being.
Canada
At first, I didn’t think it would work but miraculously did! I highly recommend it.
I love SQL Shades! I've recommended it to many friends and co-workers. Before SQL Shades I was always fighting with SSMS to get the theming just right, but SQL Shades made that sooooo much easier. Thank you!
As a long time SSMS user, I think it saves my eyes and for that, I will buy you a coffee Sir!
@gabo
Do you still use Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio? Don't you miss dark mode from a few versions back? SQL Shades for the win!
Chile
Great SQL Server add-on
@gabo
Remember how they got rid of dark mode on SQL Management Studio for some reason? And while there’re some “hacks” to bring it back it doesn’t really work that well, does it?
SQL Shades is now out of beta and free! sqlshades.com
@dbafromthecold
How did I miss this? sqlshades.com
I was thrilled when my colleague showed it to me and I use it all the time on all my machines. It's very well integrated and optimized.
@OurTechRoom
How to Enable Dark Mode in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
Enterprise Data Architect
Great, lightweight add in to bring dark mode to SQL Server Management Studio. Love it!
Senior DBA
Great App. Succeeded to do what Microsoft couldn't achieve. The Developer is reactive and always seeks perfection. Having this app is a MUST
It's a must have extension for SSMS, I use all my dev tools with a dark theme. SSMS was the only one without dark theme support, and SQL Shades enables that, it's awesome!
Software Developer at capSpire
I think it's great and my eyes do too!
Mexico
I've been waiting for a real dark mode in SSMS for a while and I found your app while googling, so I installed it immediately and voilà!
@kkbruce
如果你想要有 SSMS 的 Dark Mode，又不想自己手動調整，那麼可以試試 sqlshades.com ，終於讓唯一白的 IDE 也進入黑的世界
Netherlands
I've been moving towards dark mode for all applications I use. I was surprised to see that SQL Management Studio had no such option (since it's based on Visual Studio which has a dark theme).
That's where SQL Shades saved the day!
United States
One-and-done! Dark mode with a single install, no questions to answer, no popups, no credit card required.
It's fantastic. I am so grateful that I can run full dark mode in SSMS. Thank you for an awesome product!
schottsql.com
SQL Shades for SQL Management Studio – Review
Read full article
Overall, I’m enjoying my use of SQLShades on my local machine. It makes SSMS much easier on the eyes and gives options that MS can’t easily provide due to the complexity and breadthy of SSMS.
@DataBard255
4 Tips and Tricks for SSMS
Systems Programmer at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Light mode was hard for me to work with. SQL Shades is a masterpiece! Do yourself a favor and install it for an amazing dark mode experience.
SQL Shades made it so easy to get dark mode working properly!!! SSMS was one of my remaining tools that didn't have a proper dark mode.
Czech Republic
Must have for oled screens.
SSMS PM at Microsoft
As for dark mode, that is not something we plan to implement.
But there is a community members that offers an extension for dark mode*:
sqlshades.com
*this is not an endorsement
CTO at Works24
My mission to "darken all the things" in Windows is now complete. This app is great, simple to set up, and adds a dark theme to the last thing that was hurting my eyes.
@dbedoyah
Quienes utilizan ⚒️ editores de texto 🧑💻 para escribir su código 🗒️, en un alto porcentaje 👌 tienen su inclinación en poder transformar el color 🖤 de la herramienta al modo #Dark 🌑 y para el SSMS 📅 las opciones eran limitadas 😞, pero existe 🙌
sqlshades.com
Software Engineer at Microsoft
SQL Shades is the perfect tool to shield my poor eyes from the evils of light mode. I use SSMS daily for work and this is the best solution out there!
Senior Consultant at Microsoft
Great for those who want a "dark mode" experience to support extended time on a screen. Keep up the great work on SQL Shades to support the SQL community!
@MatadorSoftware
SQL Shades- A Simple & Complete Dark Theme Solution For SQL Server Management Studio in 2023
@PepeChewie
It’s okay, we have sqlshades.com 😎
United States
Absolutely fabulous product! Other reviewers have already put it more eloquently than I can. This is the SSMS plug-in you've been waiting for... download and start enjoying it today!
Awesome, finally can work with SSMS in darkness of my cave :-)
Software Engineer at FarmaValue
Since I've been using SQL Shades my eyes don't suffer.
SQL Shades is the 'Light for the World' for database engineers.
United States
FINALLY- All these years using a "Hack" to get some sort of dark mode are finally behind us!... Thank you so much for the work you put to get the plugin working. I've already shared with others how great it is.
SSMS PM at Microsoft
Replying to @Rustlysses
Highly unlikely due to the numerous customizations that have been in SSMS that make it different enough from Visual Studio that native dark mode doesn't look good.
There is a free option* from a community member: sqlshades.com
*not an official endorsement
Love it! Thanks for saving my eyes!
SQL Shades is of real benefit to me as I struggle using searing white GUI's. I've pretty much turned my entire app suite on my PC to use dark mode.
Slovakia
My life has improved dramatically after finding this plugin to SSMS.
@QuickzDev
How to Enable Dark Theme in SQL Management Studio Using a Plugin
@italomesquita
Configurando o tema dark no SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
Italy
SQL Shades is a very nice addon for SQL Server Management Studio, it just works.
alessandroalpi.blog
SQLShades: The Glow of Dark Theme for SSMS
Read full article
Hey folks, are you ready to add a touch of darkness to your SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)? Well, I’ve got some exciting news to share with you!
@deerjeez
harto de usar el sql server management studio? no te queda de otra? cansado de que no tenga dark mode?
sqlshades.com
de nada
Romania
Since I'm using dark mode in almost everything OS, Visual Studio, browsers, all apps ...SSMS was the only one left that didn't support dark mode (I tried to use Azure Data Studio client but it doesn't have all the capabilities that SSMS has for managing a SQL Server instance)
United States
I have been using workarounds for years with only so-so results. This package is a complete solution that skinned everything perfectly. Can't recommend enough! These guys 'get it'.
@bluemoon_dom
Tohle je dobrý, konečně si dal někdo práci udělat pořádné dark theme pro SSMS. A má to i fajné ikonky.
sqlshades.com
United States
Finally, after 10+ years of waiting for Microsoft to implement a dark theme in SSMS I can stop using registry hacks of half implemented themes that don't really work. SQL Shades just works.
SQL Shades makes SSMS look better than it ever has and makes it a lot easier to use. Thank you!
Italy
Seamless integration with SSMS. Greatly fills a missing feature of SSMS that Microsoft should have developed from start.
Every year since 2017 I have a search in Google for 'SSMS Dark Mode'. That search ended in May 2023. My prayers had been answered.
US
Works perfectly, without bugs or issues.
Indonesia
SQLShades really does a good job that MS can't 😁
All child windows & elements inside SSMS are darkened correctly.
Thanks for your support, Michael.
@arthurblake
@SQLServer this is the (oh so simple) missing SSMS tool I've been waiting for years to have! sqlshades.com I don't understand why Microsoft doesn't instantly acquire this and make it part of SSMS!?
Developer
I love that I don't get eye/headaches from looking at my query screen anymore.
Vanuatu
Great for having the dark theme in SSMS.
What is SQL Shades?
Shades is the dark mode add-in for SQL Server Management Studio 18, 19, and 20.
How do I get the dark theme in SSMS?
Just install the SQL Shades extension and it'll darken everything automatically, including what SSMS' hidden dark mode misses.
Does SSMS have a dark mode?
Via the SQL Shades plugin, yes! Otherwise, since SSMS uses the Visual Studio shell, you can hack its config to enable Visual Studio's dark mode. There's a glaring reason the SSMS devs disabled it, though: Only controls from Visual Studio are themed. Window border and code editor? Yes. Object explorer and other elements unique to SSMS? No.
Does SQL Shades darken everything, then?
SQL Shades themes the things you use on a daily basis and is getting more complete with every release. See any blatant omissions? Check the Roadmap to see if it's already on the list, and give it a vote!
Are there any settings I can tweak?
Oh yeah! You can open the settings dialog from the Tools → SQL Shades Settings menu, then flip switches, drag sliders, etc.
Do I need to buy a license to use SQL Shades at work?
You may use the free version wherever you like 😊
Can you send me an email when new versions are released?
Sure! Click here to sign up.
Have more questions?
See the documentation for more answers.
Download SQL Shades
Enjoy all the darkness your heart desires.
Download for Windows
SQL Shades v1.3.560 · 2025-02-07 · 16,491 KB · SSMS 18, 19, & 20
About Me
Michael Van Devender
Software strategist and full-stack developer with two decades of experience bending systems to my will.
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Now that you've joined the dark side, SSMS is halfway modern.
What is the other half?
Version control.