Reddit isn’t getting rid of custom css for subreddits after all

Reddit isn’t going to abolish custom CSS. This way of customizing web pages often doesn’t work well on mobile, but thanks to criticism from the Reddit community, the website administrators still allow custom css.

Subreddit administrators said when announcing the deprecation of custom css it would lead to less control over the pages and thus a decrease in subreddits’ self-identity. Reddit is now responding to this, but leader Spez does indicate that the tools to create themes for subreddits will still be available. Custom css becomes an option for ‘advanced cases’. He also warns that after the theme tools are available, Reddit won’t be so careful about site changes that “destroy” custom CSS layouts. This could mean that over time custom css on Reddit will still be ‘deprecated’ in the form of a lack of compatibility.

In the future, Reddit’s proprietary tools should support everything currently achieved with custom CSS: logos, images, colors, spoiler censorship, menus, flair, and more. Advanced things such as calendars, scoreboards and other widgets will soon have to be officially supported. These additions, when introduced with these tools, must therefore also work well on mobile.

The site starts with a closed alpha test in which the first versions of the tools can be put to the test. Subreddit admins can comment on the sticky comment below the announcement to sign up for the alpha test. Later this will be ramped up to an opt-in beta.