---
name: add-user-default-style
description: Remember each user's stylesheet with their account instead of the browser
spec: style-topics
status: proposed
date: 2026-09-24
tags: ai, spec, openspec, change
---

# Proposal

## Why

The chosen stylesheet lives in a browser cookie, so a user who picks `Style:yahoo` on the iPad still sees the default on the laptop. Once real login exists, the choice belongs with the user.

## What Changes

- The chosen stylesheet is stored as a user preference when the user is logged in.
- The cookie stays for visitors who aren't logged in.
- A broken stylesheet in the user's preference falls back to the default, like one in the cookie.

## Impact

- Affected specs: [[OpenSpec:style-topics]].
- Depends on real login (not built yet).

# Tasks

## 1. Build

- [ ] 1.1 Store the choice as a user preference on "Use this stylesheet"
- [ ] 1.2 Read the preference before the cookie
- [ ] 1.3 Move an existing cookie choice into the preference on first login

## 2. Test

- [ ] 2.1 Pick on one device, see it on another
- [ ] 2.2 A broken preferred stylesheet falls back to the default

# Spec delta

## ADDED Requirements

### Requirement: Stylesheet follows the user
The system SHALL keep a logged-in user's chosen stylesheet with their account and apply it on every device they use.

#### Scenario: Two devices
- **WHEN** a logged-in user picks `Style:yahoo` on one device
- **AND** opens d2 on another device, logged in as the same user
- **THEN** pages there use `Style:yahoo`

## MODIFIED Requirements

### Requirement: Broken stylesheets are harmless
The system MUST NOT apply a Style topic that has errors; it SHALL list it with its errors instead, and pages SHALL fall back to the default stylesheet.

#### Scenario: Unknown token
- **WHEN** a Style topic sets a token that doesn't exist
- **THEN** the save reply lists the error
- **AND** the Styles page shows the topic as "Has errors" with no button to use it

#### Scenario: A broken stylesheet in the cookie
- **WHEN** the browser's cookie names a Style topic that has errors
- **THEN** pages use the default stylesheet

#### Scenario: A broken stylesheet as the user's preference
- **WHEN** the stylesheet a user chose later gets an error
- **THEN** pages use the default stylesheet
- **AND** the user's choice is kept, so fixing the topic brings it back