> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.themeupstudio.com/crimson/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.themeupstudio.com/crimson/custom-settings/site-wide-settings.md). # Site-wide Settings Crimson includes a **Site-wide** section inside Ghost’s theme settings. These options control global behavior across your website—things like **default theme mode**, **dark mode branding**, **header behavior**, **fonts**, and more. {% hint style="danger" %} #### **Important Notice: Some Crimson settings have moved to Code Injection** In recent versions of **Crimson**, a few settings that were previously available in **Custom Settings** (such as **Auto-hide header**, **Pagination style**, **Open links in new tab**, **Contact form endpoint**, and similar behavior-based options) have been moved to **Ghost Admin → Settings → Code Injection**. *The below settings are current and latest.* To change these options now, you’ll need to update the **Crimson Code Injection variables** (the `window.GLOBAL` overrides) in the **Site Header** area. This gives you more flexibility and keeps all behavior-related toggles in one place. For step-by-step instructions and the full list of supported variables, see the [**Code Injection**](/crimson/getting-started/code-injection.md) and [**Code Injection Variables**](/crimson/getting-started/code-injection-variables.md) section of this documentation. {% endhint %} #### Where to find these settings In Ghost Admin, go to: **Settings → Design & Branding** *(and click Customize)* **→ Theme → Site wide**

Custom Site wide settings

*** ### Quick overview | Setting | What it controls | Good default for most sites | | ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | --------------------------- | | Logo for dark mode | Logo used specifically on dark backgrounds. This logo will also be used in the footer. Footer always stays dark, irrespective of settings. | Upload a white/light logo | | Accent color for dark mode | Accent color used when dark mode is active | A bright/light brand accent | | Secondary navigation in header |

The second to top header strip.
Top Tags
Secondary Navigation
Hidden

| `Secondary Navigation` | | Use Portal Links | Portal popups vs Crimson custom membership pages | Depends on your flow | | Primary font | Heading + title font (from Crimson font list) | Pick 1 serif/display | | Secondary font | Body + paragraph font (from Crimson font list) | Pick 1 sans-serif | | Enable multilingual features | Turns on Crimson multilingual system and reveals more settings | Keep **Off** until ready | *** ### Logo for dark mode #### What it is A dedicated logo image that Crimson uses when the site is in the **dark mode**.

Logo for dark mode

#### Why it matters A logo that looks perfect on a white header often becomes invisible (or low-contrast) on dark mode. This setting lets you upload a separate logo optimized for dark UI. #### Crimson requirement Use the **same dimensions** as your default publication logo to avoid layout shifts. #### Best practices * Use a **light/white** version of your logo for dark backgrounds. * Use **transparent background** (PNG/SVG depending on your workflow). * Keep spacing/padding similar to your light-mode logo so the header height doesn’t “jump” when switching themes. *** ### Accent color for dark mode #### What it is Crimson lets you select a **separate accent color** that only applies when **dark mode** is active.

Accent color for dark mode

#### Why it matters A color that looks rich on white can look dull or unreadable on dark backgrounds. Dark mode often needs a **slightly brighter** accent to pop. #### Best practices (contrast-friendly) * Pick an accent that is **bright enough** to stand out on dark gray/black UI. In the demo, we are using `#d67805` as the accent color for dark mode. * Check common places where accent appears: links, buttons, highlights, small UI elements. * If your brand color is very dark (navy/maroon), consider using a lighter brand variant for dark mode. *** ### Secondary navigation in header Crimson can show a **top header area** above the main navigation. You can decide what appears there.

Secondary navigation in header

#### Option A: Top Tags * Shows up to **10 tags**, based on which tags have the most posts. * Best for news/magazine sites where tags are your primary “sections” (Politics, Business, Sports, etc.). * Auto-populated and does not need manual editing/changes. #### Option B: Secondary Navigation This displays Ghost’s **secondary navigation menu** (which you manage in Ghost Admin). Ghost supports both **primary** and **secondary** navigation menus. **Why this is powerful in Crimson?** Crimson supports **dropdown navigation** in menus, both Primary and Secondary. You can create dropdown navigation to show a wide variety of links to your visitors. How to setup secondary dropdown navigation is explained in [Secondary Navigation (Header)](/crimson/navigation/secondary-navigation-header.md). #### Option C: Hidden Hides the second to top header strip completely (cleaner/minimal UI). *** ### Use Portal Links Crimson includes **custom pages** for: * Sign in * Sign up * Subscribe * Membership * Account By default, visitors go through Crimson’s branded pages.

Use portal links

#### What happens when you enable “Use Portal Links” When enabled, Crimson uses Ghost’s **Portal** (the built-in membership experience) so signups/subscriptions happen via **Portal overlays/popups** instead of Crimson’s custom pages. Ghost Portal is designed to handle the full membership flow and is configurable in Ghost Admin. When you enable 'Use portal links': * Crimson **Membership page still works** and can still display pricing plans. But any signups will happen via the Ghost Portal popups. * Actions like **Sign up / Subscribe** will open Ghost Portal instead of redirecting to Crimson’s custom signup pages. * Signup/Signin/Subscribe Forms on custom pages will be hidden and instead shown a link to open Ghost Portal to perform that action. #### When to use Portal Links Use **Portal Links = ON** if: * You want the “built-in Ghost” membership flow * You rely heavily on Portal settings and want everything consistent with Ghost’s native experience Use **Portal Links = OFF** if: * You want fully branded membership pages (Crimson’s custom UI) * You want complete control over layout and copy on sign-in/up pages *** ### Primary Font Crimson provides **7 Google font options** for headings and titles.

Primary fonts

Default font is '**Source Serif 4**'. Available fonts are: 1. Alegreya 2. Newsreader 3. Oswald 4. Playfair Display 5. Source Serif 4 6. Roboto Serif 7. PT Serif 8. Merriweather #### When it works This setting only applies if your Ghost Brand typography is set to **Theme default** for:\ **Brand settings → Typography → Heading font**

Heading font must be set to Theme default

#### Best practices * Choose a readable serif/display font that matches your tone (news, editorial, modern). * If your site is content-heavy, prefer clarity over overly decorative fonts. *** ### Secondary Font (Body text) Crimson provides **9 Google font options** used across body text and paragraphs.

Secondary font

Default font is '**Source Sans 3**'. Available fonts are: 1. Alegreya Sans 2. Newsreader 3. Oswald 4. Roboto 5. Roboto Flex 6. Open Sans 7. Lato 8. Inter 9. Source Sans 3 10. PT Sans #### When it works This setting only applies if Ghost Brand typography is set to **Theme default** for:\ **Brand settings → Typography → Body font**

Body font must be set to Theme default

#### Best practices * Pick a clean sans-serif for long reading sessions. * Ensure your body font has good readability at small sizes on mobile. *** ### Enable multilingual features Crimson’s multilingual system is controlled by a master toggle in Site-wide settings. #### What it does * Enables Crimson’s language-specific functionality (language switcher + multilingual logic) * Reveals additional settings like **Locales**, **Main Locale**, **Main Locale URL**, and redirect options (covered in [Multilingual](/crimson/multilingual/overview.md) section) #### Recommendation (for now) If you’re not actively setting up multilingual Ghost installations, keep it **OFF** until: * you understand the required setup, and * you’re ready to configure the multilingual settings properly.