macOS: Reloading config with dark theme adds white overlay on inactive splits

[brookback]

Issue Description

In a new Ghostty window with two or more splits, reloading the config (either via keybind or menu bar item) adds a seemingly buggy semi-transparent white overlay over the inactive splits when using a dark theme.

Expected Behavior

According to the docs (https://ghostty.org/docs/config/reference#unfocused-split-opacity), the inactive panes will be dimmed. Like this (before triggering the bug):

Actual Behavior

After reloading the config, the inactive pane has a white overlay:

Reproduction Steps

1. Open Ghostty.

2. Have a dark theme specified, like:

theme = dark:Flexoki Dark,light:Flexoki Light

I tried another theme (Duotone Dark) and could reproduce there as well.

3. Bring up a split.

4. Reload config.

Ghostty Logs

2025-10-14 20:14:26.457364+0200 0x122920   Info        0x0                  57806  0    ghostty: [com.mitchellh.ghostty:ghostty] config reload notification
2025-10-14 20:14:26.458126+0200 0x122920   Info        0x0                  57806  0    ghostty: [com.mitchellh.ghostty:default] reading configuration file path=/Users/brookie/.config/ghostty/config
2025-10-14 20:14:26.460054+0200 0x122920   Info        0x0                  57806  0    ghostty: [com.mitchellh.ghostty:config] default shell src=passwd value=/opt/homebrew/bin/fish
2025-10-14 20:14:26.460128+0200 0x122920   Info        0x0                  57806  0    ghostty: [com.mitchellh.ghostty:config] default working directory src=passwd value=/Users/brookie
2025-10-14 20:14:26.460575+0200 0x122920   Info        0x0                  57806  0    ghostty: [com.mitchellh.ghostty:config] default shell src=passwd value=/opt/homebrew/bin/fish
2025-10-14 20:14:26.460607+0200 0x122920   Info        0x0                  57806  0    ghostty: [com.mitchellh.ghostty:config] default working directory src=passwd value=/Users/brookie
2025-10-14 20:14:26.461392+0200 0x122920   Info        0x0                  57806  0    ghostty: [com.mitchellh.ghostty:ghostty] config change notification
2025-10-14 20:14:26.462346+0200 0x122920   Info        0x0                  57806  0    ghostty: [com.mitchellh.ghostty:config] default shell src=passwd value=/opt/homebrew/bin/fish
2025-10-14 20:14:26.462382+0200 0x122920   Info        0x0                  57806  0    ghostty: [com.mitchellh.ghostty:config] default working directory src=passwd value=/Users/brookie
2025-10-14 20:14:26.462975+0200 0x122920   Info        0x0                  57806  0    ghostty: [com.mitchellh.ghostty:ghostty] config change notification
2025-10-14 20:14:26.463634+0200 0x122920   Info        0x0                  57806  0    ghostty: [com.mitchellh.ghostty:config] default shell src=passwd value=/opt/homebrew/bin/fish
2025-10-14 20:14:26.463672+0200 0x122920   Info        0x0                  57806  0    ghostty: [com.mitchellh.ghostty:config] default working directory src=passwd value=/Users/brookie
2025-10-14 20:14:26.463771+0200 0x122920   Info        0x0                  57806  0    ghostty: [com.mitchellh.ghostty:ghostty] config change notification

Ghostty Version

Ghostty 1.2.2

Version
  - version: 1.2.2
  - channel: stable
Build Config
  - Zig version   : 0.14.1
  - build mode    : builtin.OptimizeMode.ReleaseFast
  - app runtime   : apprt.Runtime.none
  - font engine   : font.main.Backend.coretext
  - renderer      : renderer.generic.Renderer(renderer.Metal)
  - libxev        : kqueue

OS Version Information

macOS Sonoma 14.8.1 (23J30)

(Linux only) Display Server

None

(Linux only) Desktop Environment/Window Manager

No response

Minimal Ghostty Configuration

theme = dark:Flexoki Dark,light:Flexoki Light
# or
theme = dark:Andromeda,light:Flexoki Light
# or other dark themes...

Additional Relevant Configuration

No response

I acknowledge that:

• I have reviewed the FAQ and confirm that my issue is NOT among them.
• I have searched the Ghostty repository (both open and closed Discussions and Issues) and confirm this is not a duplicate of an existing issue or discussion.
• I have checked the "Preview" tab on all text fields to ensure that everything looks right, and have wrapped all configuration and code in code blocks with a group of three backticks (```) on separate lines.

[iniw]

I have the same issue, pretty sure it's been a thing since 1.0

[singiamtel]

Same problem here, but I found a workaround adding this in the config

unfocused-split-opacity = 1

I can reproduce in the same fashion as the OP

1. Set ~/.config/ghostty/config to

theme = dark:nord,light:GitHub Light Default

2. Close and open ghostty

3. Open two panes (cmd+D)

4. Reload config (cmd+shift+ , )

5. One of the panes has become white

[NukeTheMoon]

Sorry if this is off-topic:

It would be nice if a user could specify a different color theme for inactive splits. Personally, I would love to leverage one of the default grayscale or monochrome color themes for inactive splits.

[dulev]

Yep, should be a bit darker instead of lighter on a dark theme.

Maybe we could have: unfocused-split-fill = light:#ffffff, dark:#000000

That would be similar to the theme option that already exists theme = light:Selenized Light,dark:Catppuccin Macchiato