Skin:Vector

Vector is a skin for MediaWiki which became default in 2010.

In recent years the skin underwent a number of changes, e.g. the switch to and the addition of new features. The latter are controllable by feature switches so that users can still be served to legacy layout.

In 2021, as part of the MediaWiki 1.36-1.38 releases it will see incremental updates as part of the work done by the initiative. At the end of the project, the 2010 version and 2021 versions will be split into two separate skins.

Setting the default skin to Vector
A default skin should be set for new users of a wiki by setting the variable in  to the lowercase skin name specified in the skin file:

wgVectorUseIconWatch
Watch and unwatch as an icon rather than a link.


 * Supported Values:
 * — use an icon watch/unwatch button
 * — use watch/unwatch text link

wgVectorResponsive (< 1.36)
Experimental setting to make Vector a responsive skin that adapts to mobile phones. Not actively being tested or used in production (yet) but relatively stable and false by default.


 * Supported Values:
 * — Use responsiveness to improve usability in narrow viewports
 * — No responsiveness

Note as of 1.36 this experimental feature flag no longer works in the default Vector skin. Those looking for a responsive Vector skin can use at their own risk.

wgVectorPrintLogo (< 1.36, removed in 1.36)
Logo used in print styles. Keys are, ,  (in pixels). Note that this solution only works correctly if the image pointed to by is an SVG that does not specify width and height attributes, or its width and height match the corresponding variables below. Alternatively, a PNG or other type of image can be used, but its dimensions also need to match the corresponding variable below. That in turn may result in blurry images, though.

In 1.36, please use

Features

 * Basic features of the Vector skin


 * Reduced clutter, primarily by reducing the number of lines on screen


 * More prominent placement of the search portal


 * Visual separation of the content-action and namespace links, the former of which being divided into view tabs and action menu items


 * Automatic increase/decrease of margins throughout the user interface based on browser size


 * Use of a star icon for watch and unwatch actions


 * Added features of the extension (some of these features have later been merged into the Vector skin or into the MediaWiki Core or have been removed)


 * Simplified search portal, including suggestions


 * Collapsible navigation portals


 * Alert when leaving an edit page without saving


 * Automatic hiding of tabs that do not fit on screen


 * Experimental Vector extension features


 * Simplified footer content


 * Search box expands on focus


 * Section edit links are moved to be directly next to heading instead of on the right, and use an icon


 * CollapsibleNav support via extension

Collapsible navigation
The collapsible navigation portals are now provided by the extension which will have to be installed additionally.

Smartphone and tablet design
Vector will work on many mobile devices, but it is not fully optimized for mobile devices. This will be rectified in the new version of Vector that is currently in development:.

History of the skin
Vector became default skin in 2010, succeeding MonoBook. It had been created in 2009 as part of the work done by the. In 2021, as part of the MediaWiki 1.36 release it will see an update as part of the work done by the Reading/Web/Desktop Improvements initiative.

Vector provides a number of usability improvements over its predecessor MonoBook. It was the first skin to separate the flat level into the categorized.

At the beginning the basic functionality was included in the core skin, while some of Vector's special features were handled by a separate extension. The extension has since been merged into the skin itself.

Dark mode customizations
Many solutions relying on MediaWiki:Common.css exist to support a dark version of the skin, including Skin:Vector/DarkCSS and Skin:Vector/Wikipedia-userstyle-dark-minimum. An alternative skin to Vector exists that allows you to install as a separate skin at Skin:DarkVector.

Note all of these are supported by third parties, not the Wikimedia Foundation.

New Vector skin in 1.36+
In MediaWiki 1.36 a new variant of Vector was added as part of. While available to use, this is not actively supported for 3rd parties at the time of writing and used at your own risk. Official support for this skin should be added as part of the 1.38 release.

wgVectorDefaultSkinVersion
To preview the new skin, in 1.36-1.38 you can use the following configuration: