Add dark/light theme support with real-time OS appearance detection

Config now uses top-level dark/light sections (each with running/completed
styles) and a theme option ("dark", "light", "auto"). The daemon resolves
the active theme at flash time via NSApp.effectiveAppearance().

Made-with: Cursor

README.md

@@ -49,26 +49,44 @@ uv run cursor-flasher stop
 Optional config file at `~/.cursor-flasher/config.yaml`:
 
 ```yaml
-running:                    # approval pulse (continuous until you interact)
-  color: "#FF9500"          # border color (hex)
-  width: 4                  # border thickness in pixels
-  opacity: 0.85             # max border opacity
-  pulse_speed: 1.5          # pulse cycle speed in seconds
-  sound: "Glass"            # macOS system sound ("" to disable)
-  volume: 0.5               # 0.0 to 1.0
-  # sounds: Basso, Blow, Bottle, Frog, Funk, Glass, Hero,
-  #         Morse, Ping, Pop, Purr, Sosumi, Submarine, Tink
+theme: "auto"               # "dark", "light", or "auto" (follows macOS appearance)
 
-completed:                  # agent stop flash (brief fade-in/out)
-  color: "#00FF00"          # different color for completion
-  width: 4
-  opacity: 0.85
-  duration: 1.5             # flash duration in seconds
-  sound: ""                 # no sound by default (Cursor plays its own)
-  volume: 0.0
+dark:                        # styles used when OS is in dark mode
+  running:                   # approval pulse (continuous until you interact)
+    color: "#FF9500"         # border color (hex)
+    width: 4                 # border thickness in pixels
+    opacity: 0.85            # max border opacity
+    pulse_speed: 1.5         # pulse cycle speed in seconds
+    sound: "Glass"           # macOS system sound ("" to disable)
+    volume: 0.5              # 0.0 to 1.0
+    # sounds: Basso, Blow, Bottle, Frog, Funk, Glass, Hero,
+    #         Morse, Ping, Pop, Purr, Sosumi, Submarine, Tink
+  completed:                 # agent stop flash (brief fade-in/out)
+    color: "#00FF00"         # different color for completion
+    width: 4
+    opacity: 0.85
+    duration: 1.5            # flash duration in seconds
+    sound: ""                # no sound by default (Cursor plays its own)
+    volume: 0.0
+
+light:                       # styles used when OS is in light mode
+  running:
+    color: "#3B82F6"
+    width: 4
+    opacity: 0.9
+    pulse_speed: 1.5
+    sound: "Glass"
+    volume: 0.5
+  completed:
+    color: "#22C55E"
+    width: 4
+    opacity: 0.9
+    duration: 1.5
+    sound: ""
+    volume: 0.0
 
 flash:
-  mode: "screen"            # "window", "screen", or "allscreens"
+  mode: "screen"             # "window", "screen", or "allscreens"
 
 # Tools that trigger the pulse + sound (approval mode).
 # Others are silently ignored (e.g., Read, Grep, Glob, Task).
@@ -78,11 +96,11 @@ approval_tools:
   - Delete
 
 general:
-  approval_delay: 2.5       # seconds to wait before pulsing (filters auto-approvals)
+  approval_delay: 2.5        # seconds to wait before pulsing (filters auto-approvals)
   cooldown: 2.0              # minimum seconds between flashes
 ```
 
-Each mode (`running` and `completed`) has its own color, border style, and sound settings. Set `sound: ""` to disable sound for a particular mode.
+Styles are organized under `dark` and `light` theme sections, each containing `running` (approval pulse) and `completed` (stop flash) modes with their own color, border, and sound settings. The `theme` option controls which styles are active: set `"auto"` to follow macOS appearance in real-time, or force `"dark"` / `"light"`. Set `sound: ""` to disable sound for a particular mode.
 
 ## Uninstall
 

src/cursor_flasher/config.py

@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ STYLE_FIELDS = {
     "volume": float,
 }
 
+VALID_THEMES = {"dark", "light", "auto"}
+
 
 @dataclass
 class StyleConfig:
@@ -36,10 +38,19 @@ def _default_completed() -> StyleConfig:
 
 
 @dataclass
-class Config:
+class ThemeStyles:
+    """Running and completed styles for a single theme (dark or light)."""
+
     running: StyleConfig = field(default_factory=_default_running)
     completed: StyleConfig = field(default_factory=_default_completed)
 
+
+@dataclass
+class Config:
+    dark: ThemeStyles = field(default_factory=ThemeStyles)
+    light: ThemeStyles = field(default_factory=ThemeStyles)
+
+    theme: str = "auto"
     flash_mode: str = "screen"
 
     approval_tools: list[str] = field(
@@ -49,6 +60,16 @@ class Config:
     approval_delay: float = 2.5
     cooldown: float = 2.0
 
+    def active_styles(self, system_appearance: str) -> ThemeStyles:
+        """Return the ThemeStyles matching the current theme setting.
+
+        Args:
+            system_appearance: "dark" or "light" as detected from the OS.
+        """
+        if self.theme == "auto":
+            return self.dark if system_appearance == "dark" else self.light
+        return self.dark if self.theme == "dark" else self.light
+
 
 GENERAL_FIELD_MAP: dict[str, str] = {
     "approval_delay": "approval_delay",
@@ -77,6 +98,21 @@ def _parse_style(raw_section: dict, defaults: StyleConfig) -> StyleConfig:
     )
 
 
+def _parse_theme_styles(raw_section: dict) -> ThemeStyles:
+    """Build a ThemeStyles from a YAML theme section (dark or light)."""
+    kwargs: dict[str, StyleConfig] = {}
+
+    running_raw = raw_section.get("running")
+    if isinstance(running_raw, dict):
+        kwargs["running"] = _parse_style(running_raw, _default_running())
+
+    completed_raw = raw_section.get("completed")
+    if isinstance(completed_raw, dict):
+        kwargs["completed"] = _parse_style(completed_raw, _default_completed())
+
+    return ThemeStyles(**kwargs)
+
+
 def load_config(path: Path = DEFAULT_CONFIG_PATH) -> Config:
     """Load config from YAML, falling back to defaults for missing values."""
     if not path.exists():
@@ -90,13 +126,17 @@ def load_config(path: Path = DEFAULT_CONFIG_PATH) -> Config:
 
     config_kwargs: dict[str, Any] = {}
 
-    running_raw = raw.get("running")
-    if isinstance(running_raw, dict):
-        config_kwargs["running"] = _parse_style(running_raw, _default_running())
+    theme = raw.get("theme")
+    if isinstance(theme, str) and theme in VALID_THEMES:
+        config_kwargs["theme"] = theme
 
-    completed_raw = raw.get("completed")
-    if isinstance(completed_raw, dict):
-        config_kwargs["completed"] = _parse_style(completed_raw, _default_completed())
+    dark_raw = raw.get("dark")
+    if isinstance(dark_raw, dict):
+        config_kwargs["dark"] = _parse_theme_styles(dark_raw)
+
+    light_raw = raw.get("light")
+    if isinstance(light_raw, dict):
+        config_kwargs["light"] = _parse_theme_styles(light_raw)
 
     flash_raw = raw.get("flash")
     if isinstance(flash_raw, dict) and "mode" in flash_raw:

src/cursor_flasher/daemon.py

@@ -33,6 +33,13 @@ SOCKET_PATH = os.path.join(SOCKET_DIR, "flasher.sock")
 INPUT_DISMISS_GRACE = 0.5
 
 
+def _get_system_appearance() -> str:
+    """Return "dark" or "light" based on the current macOS appearance."""
+    app = NSApplication.sharedApplication()
+    name = app.effectiveAppearance().name()
+    return "dark" if "Dark" in name else "light"
+
+
 class _PendingApproval:
     """An approval trigger waiting for the delay to expire before pulsing."""
     __slots__ = ("workspace", "tool", "timestamp")
@@ -125,14 +132,15 @@ class FlasherDaemon:
             return
 
         frames = self._resolve_frames(window["frame"])
+        styles = self.config.active_styles(_get_system_appearance())
         logger.info(
             "Pulsing for approval (after %.1fs delay): tool=%s window=%s",
             elapsed, pending.tool, window["title"],
         )
-        self.overlay.pulse(frames, self.config.running)
+        self.overlay.pulse(frames, styles.running)
         self._pulse_started_at = time.monotonic()
         self._cursor_was_frontmost = is_cursor_frontmost()
-        play_alert(self.config.running)
+        play_alert(styles.running)
         self._last_flash = time.monotonic()
 
     def _check_input_dismiss(self) -> None:
@@ -252,10 +260,11 @@ class FlasherDaemon:
         if window is None:
             return
 
+        styles = self.config.active_styles(_get_system_appearance())
         frames = self._resolve_frames(window["frame"])
         logger.info("Flash for stop: window=%s", window["title"])
-        self.overlay.flash(frames, self.config.completed)
-        play_alert(self.config.completed)
+        self.overlay.flash(frames, styles.completed)
+        play_alert(styles.completed)
         self._last_flash = now
 
     def _resolve_frames(self, window_frame: tuple) -> list[tuple]:

tests/test_config.py

@@ -1,23 +1,42 @@
-from cursor_flasher.config import Config, StyleConfig, load_config
+from cursor_flasher.config import (
+    Config,
+    StyleConfig,
+    ThemeStyles,
+    load_config,
+)
 
 
 class TestDefaultConfig:
-    def test_running_defaults(self):
+    def test_dark_running_defaults(self):
         c = Config()
-        assert c.running.color == "#FF9500"
-        assert c.running.width == 4
-        assert c.running.duration == 1.5
-        assert c.running.opacity == 0.85
-        assert c.running.pulse_speed == 1.5
-        assert c.running.sound == "Glass"
-        assert c.running.volume == 0.5
+        assert c.dark.running.color == "#FF9500"
+        assert c.dark.running.width == 4
+        assert c.dark.running.duration == 1.5
+        assert c.dark.running.opacity == 0.85
+        assert c.dark.running.pulse_speed == 1.5
+        assert c.dark.running.sound == "Glass"
+        assert c.dark.running.volume == 0.5
 
-    def test_completed_defaults(self):
+    def test_dark_completed_defaults(self):
         c = Config()
-        assert c.completed.color == "#FF9500"
-        assert c.completed.width == 4
-        assert c.completed.sound == ""
-        assert c.completed.volume == 0.0
+        assert c.dark.completed.color == "#FF9500"
+        assert c.dark.completed.width == 4
+        assert c.dark.completed.sound == ""
+        assert c.dark.completed.volume == 0.0
+
+    def test_light_running_defaults(self):
+        c = Config()
+        assert c.light.running.color == "#FF9500"
+        assert c.light.running.sound == "Glass"
+
+    def test_light_completed_defaults(self):
+        c = Config()
+        assert c.light.completed.sound == ""
+        assert c.light.completed.volume == 0.0
+
+    def test_theme_defaults_to_auto(self):
+        c = Config()
+        assert c.theme == "auto"
 
     def test_has_approval_tools(self):
         c = Config()
@@ -32,6 +51,41 @@ class TestDefaultConfig:
         assert c.flash_mode == "screen"
 
 
+class TestActiveStyles:
+    def test_auto_returns_dark_when_system_dark(self):
+        c = Config(theme="auto")
+        dark_styles = ThemeStyles(running=StyleConfig(color="#111111"))
+        light_styles = ThemeStyles(running=StyleConfig(color="#EEEEEE"))
+        c.dark = dark_styles
+        c.light = light_styles
+        assert c.active_styles("dark").running.color == "#111111"
+
+    def test_auto_returns_light_when_system_light(self):
+        c = Config(theme="auto")
+        dark_styles = ThemeStyles(running=StyleConfig(color="#111111"))
+        light_styles = ThemeStyles(running=StyleConfig(color="#EEEEEE"))
+        c.dark = dark_styles
+        c.light = light_styles
+        assert c.active_styles("light").running.color == "#EEEEEE"
+
+    def test_explicit_dark_ignores_system(self):
+        c = Config(theme="dark")
+        c.dark = ThemeStyles(running=StyleConfig(color="#111111"))
+        c.light = ThemeStyles(running=StyleConfig(color="#EEEEEE"))
+        assert c.active_styles("light").running.color == "#111111"
+
+    def test_explicit_light_ignores_system(self):
+        c = Config(theme="light")
+        c.dark = ThemeStyles(running=StyleConfig(color="#111111"))
+        c.light = ThemeStyles(running=StyleConfig(color="#EEEEEE"))
+        assert c.active_styles("dark").running.color == "#EEEEEE"
+
+    def test_active_styles_includes_completed(self):
+        c = Config(theme="dark")
+        c.dark = ThemeStyles(completed=StyleConfig(color="#AA0000"))
+        assert c.active_styles("light").completed.color == "#AA0000"
+
+
 class TestLoadConfig:
     def test_missing_file_returns_defaults(self, tmp_path):
         c = load_config(tmp_path / "nope.yaml")
@@ -43,26 +97,80 @@ class TestLoadConfig:
         c = load_config(p)
         assert c == Config()
 
-    def test_loads_running_overrides(self, tmp_path):
+    def test_loads_theme(self, tmp_path):
         p = tmp_path / "config.yaml"
-        p.write_text(
-            "running:\n  color: '#00FF00'\n  duration: 2.0\n  sound: Ping\n"
-        )
+        p.write_text("theme: dark\n")
         c = load_config(p)
-        assert c.running.color == "#00FF00"
-        assert c.running.duration == 2.0
-        assert c.running.sound == "Ping"
-        assert c.running.width == 4
+        assert c.theme == "dark"
 
-    def test_loads_completed_overrides(self, tmp_path):
+    def test_invalid_theme_uses_default(self, tmp_path):
+        p = tmp_path / "config.yaml"
+        p.write_text("theme: neon\n")
+        c = load_config(p)
+        assert c.theme == "auto"
+
+    def test_loads_dark_running_overrides(self, tmp_path):
         p = tmp_path / "config.yaml"
         p.write_text(
-            "completed:\n  color: '#0000FF'\n  sound: Hero\n  volume: 0.8\n"
+            "dark:\n"
+            "  running:\n"
+            "    color: '#00FF00'\n"
+            "    duration: 2.0\n"
+            "    sound: Ping\n"
         )
         c = load_config(p)
-        assert c.completed.color == "#0000FF"
-        assert c.completed.sound == "Hero"
-        assert c.completed.volume == 0.8
+        assert c.dark.running.color == "#00FF00"
+        assert c.dark.running.duration == 2.0
+        assert c.dark.running.sound == "Ping"
+        assert c.dark.running.width == 4
+
+    def test_loads_dark_completed_overrides(self, tmp_path):
+        p = tmp_path / "config.yaml"
+        p.write_text(
+            "dark:\n"
+            "  completed:\n"
+            "    color: '#0000FF'\n"
+            "    sound: Hero\n"
+            "    volume: 0.8\n"
+        )
+        c = load_config(p)
+        assert c.dark.completed.color == "#0000FF"
+        assert c.dark.completed.sound == "Hero"
+        assert c.dark.completed.volume == 0.8
+
+    def test_loads_light_running_overrides(self, tmp_path):
+        p = tmp_path / "config.yaml"
+        p.write_text(
+            "light:\n"
+            "  running:\n"
+            "    color: '#3B82F6'\n"
+            "    opacity: 0.9\n"
+        )
+        c = load_config(p)
+        assert c.light.running.color == "#3B82F6"
+        assert c.light.running.opacity == 0.9
+        assert c.light.running.width == 4
+
+    def test_missing_dark_section_uses_defaults(self, tmp_path):
+        p = tmp_path / "config.yaml"
+        p.write_text(
+            "light:\n"
+            "  running:\n"
+            "    color: '#FFFFFF'\n"
+        )
+        c = load_config(p)
+        assert c.dark == ThemeStyles()
+
+    def test_missing_running_within_theme_uses_defaults(self, tmp_path):
+        p = tmp_path / "config.yaml"
+        p.write_text(
+            "dark:\n"
+            "  completed:\n"
+            "    color: '#FF0000'\n"
+        )
+        c = load_config(p)
+        assert c.dark.running == StyleConfig()
+        assert c.dark.completed.color == "#FF0000"
 
     def test_loads_flash_mode(self, tmp_path):
         p = tmp_path / "config.yaml"
@@ -86,16 +194,25 @@ class TestLoadConfig:
     def test_full_config(self, tmp_path):
         p = tmp_path / "config.yaml"
         p.write_text(
-            "running:\n"
-            "  color: '#FF0000'\n"
-            "  width: 6\n"
-            "  opacity: 0.9\n"
-            "  pulse_speed: 2.0\n"
-            "  sound: Glass\n"
-            "  volume: 0.8\n"
-            "completed:\n"
-            "  color: '#00FF00'\n"
-            "  sound: ''\n"
+            "theme: light\n"
+            "dark:\n"
+            "  running:\n"
+            "    color: '#FF0000'\n"
+            "    width: 6\n"
+            "    opacity: 0.9\n"
+            "    pulse_speed: 2.0\n"
+            "    sound: Glass\n"
+            "    volume: 0.8\n"
+            "  completed:\n"
+            "    color: '#00FF00'\n"
+            "    sound: ''\n"
+            "light:\n"
+            "  running:\n"
+            "    color: '#3B82F6'\n"
+            "    width: 3\n"
+            "  completed:\n"
+            "    color: '#22C55E'\n"
+            "    duration: 2.0\n"
             "flash:\n"
             "  mode: window\n"
             "general:\n"
@@ -105,14 +222,19 @@ class TestLoadConfig:
             "  - Shell\n"
         )
         c = load_config(p)
-        assert c.running.color == "#FF0000"
-        assert c.running.width == 6
-        assert c.running.opacity == 0.9
-        assert c.running.pulse_speed == 2.0
-        assert c.running.sound == "Glass"
-        assert c.running.volume == 0.8
-        assert c.completed.color == "#00FF00"
-        assert c.completed.sound == ""
+        assert c.theme == "light"
+        assert c.dark.running.color == "#FF0000"
+        assert c.dark.running.width == 6
+        assert c.dark.running.opacity == 0.9
+        assert c.dark.running.pulse_speed == 2.0
+        assert c.dark.running.sound == "Glass"
+        assert c.dark.running.volume == 0.8
+        assert c.dark.completed.color == "#00FF00"
+        assert c.dark.completed.sound == ""
+        assert c.light.running.color == "#3B82F6"
+        assert c.light.running.width == 3
+        assert c.light.completed.color == "#22C55E"
+        assert c.light.completed.duration == 2.0
         assert c.flash_mode == "window"
         assert c.approval_delay == 1.0
         assert c.cooldown == 3.0

tests/test_daemon.py

@@ -4,10 +4,13 @@ import time
 
 from unittest.mock import patch, MagicMock
 
-from cursor_flasher.config import Config, StyleConfig
+from cursor_flasher.config import Config, StyleConfig, ThemeStyles
 from cursor_flasher.daemon import FlasherDaemon
 
 
+PATCH_APPEARANCE = "cursor_flasher.daemon._get_system_appearance"
+
+
 class TestFlasherDaemon:
     def _make_daemon(self, **config_overrides) -> FlasherDaemon:
         config = Config(**config_overrides)
@@ -39,10 +42,11 @@ class TestFlasherDaemon:
         with patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.find_window_by_workspace", return_value=window), \
              patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.screen_frame_for_window", return_value=screen), \
              patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.is_cursor_frontmost", return_value=False), \
-             patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.play_alert"):
+             patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.play_alert"), \
+             patch(PATCH_APPEARANCE, return_value="dark"):
             daemon._check_pending()
 
-        daemon.overlay.pulse.assert_called_once_with([screen], daemon.config.running)
+        daemon.overlay.pulse.assert_called_once_with([screen], daemon.config.dark.running)
 
     def test_postToolUse_cancels_pending(self):
         """Auto-approved tools: postToolUse arrives before delay, cancels the pulse."""
@@ -79,7 +83,8 @@ class TestFlasherDaemon:
         with patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.find_window_by_workspace", return_value=window), \
              patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.screen_frame_for_window", return_value=((0, 0), (1920, 1080))), \
              patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.is_cursor_frontmost", return_value=False), \
-             patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.play_alert"):
+             patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.play_alert"), \
+             patch(PATCH_APPEARANCE, return_value="dark"):
             daemon._check_pending()
 
         daemon.overlay.pulse.assert_called_once()
@@ -91,25 +96,27 @@ class TestFlasherDaemon:
 
         with patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.find_window_by_workspace", return_value=window), \
              patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.screen_frame_for_window", return_value=screen), \
-             patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.play_alert"):
+             patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.play_alert"), \
+             patch(PATCH_APPEARANCE, return_value="dark"):
             daemon._handle_message(
                 json.dumps({"workspace": "/path", "event": "stop"}).encode()
             )
 
-        daemon.overlay.flash.assert_called_once_with([screen], daemon.config.completed)
+        daemon.overlay.flash.assert_called_once_with([screen], daemon.config.dark.completed)
 
     def test_stop_flashes_window_frame_when_window_mode(self):
         daemon = self._make_daemon(flash_mode="window")
         window = {"title": "my-project", "frame": ((0, 0), (800, 600))}
 
         with patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.find_window_by_workspace", return_value=window), \
-             patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.play_alert"):
+             patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.play_alert"), \
+             patch(PATCH_APPEARANCE, return_value="light"):
             daemon._handle_message(
                 json.dumps({"workspace": "/path", "event": "stop"}).encode()
             )
 
         daemon.overlay.flash.assert_called_once_with(
-            [((0, 0), (800, 600))], daemon.config.completed
+            [((0, 0), (800, 600))], daemon.config.light.completed
         )
 
     def test_allscreens_mode_uses_all_screens(self):
@@ -124,10 +131,11 @@ class TestFlasherDaemon:
         with patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.find_window_by_workspace", return_value=window), \
              patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.all_screen_frames", return_value=screens), \
              patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.is_cursor_frontmost", return_value=False), \
-             patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.play_alert"):
+             patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.play_alert"), \
+             patch(PATCH_APPEARANCE, return_value="dark"):
             daemon._check_pending()
 
-        daemon.overlay.pulse.assert_called_once_with(screens, daemon.config.running)
+        daemon.overlay.pulse.assert_called_once_with(screens, daemon.config.dark.running)
 
     def test_stop_dismisses_active_pulse(self):
         daemon = self._make_daemon()
@@ -309,7 +317,8 @@ class TestFlasherDaemon:
     def test_running_style_sound_plays_on_approval(self):
         """Running style with sound configured plays on approval pulse."""
         running = StyleConfig(sound="Glass", volume=0.5)
-        daemon = self._make_daemon(approval_delay=0.0, flash_mode="window", running=running)
+        dark = ThemeStyles(running=running)
+        daemon = self._make_daemon(approval_delay=0.0, flash_mode="window", dark=dark)
         window = {"title": "proj", "frame": ((0, 0), (800, 600))}
 
         daemon._handle_message(
@@ -318,7 +327,8 @@ class TestFlasherDaemon:
 
         with patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.find_window_by_workspace", return_value=window), \
              patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.is_cursor_frontmost", return_value=False), \
-             patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.play_alert") as mock_alert:
+             patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.play_alert") as mock_alert, \
+             patch(PATCH_APPEARANCE, return_value="dark"):
             daemon._check_pending()
 
         mock_alert.assert_called_once_with(running)
@@ -326,11 +336,13 @@ class TestFlasherDaemon:
     def test_completed_style_sound_plays_on_stop(self):
         """Completed style with sound configured plays on stop flash."""
         completed = StyleConfig(sound="Ping", volume=0.7)
-        daemon = self._make_daemon(flash_mode="window", completed=completed)
+        dark = ThemeStyles(completed=completed)
+        daemon = self._make_daemon(flash_mode="window", dark=dark)
         window = {"title": "proj", "frame": ((0, 0), (800, 600))}
 
         with patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.find_window_by_workspace", return_value=window), \
-             patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.play_alert") as mock_alert:
+             patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.play_alert") as mock_alert, \
+             patch(PATCH_APPEARANCE, return_value="dark"):
             daemon._handle_message(
                 json.dumps({"workspace": "/path", "event": "stop"}).encode()
             )
@@ -340,11 +352,13 @@ class TestFlasherDaemon:
     def test_no_sound_when_style_sound_empty(self):
         """No sound plays when the style has sound="" (the completed default)."""
         completed = StyleConfig(sound="", volume=0.0)
-        daemon = self._make_daemon(flash_mode="window", completed=completed)
+        dark = ThemeStyles(completed=completed)
+        daemon = self._make_daemon(flash_mode="window", dark=dark)
         window = {"title": "proj", "frame": ((0, 0), (800, 600))}
 
         with patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.find_window_by_workspace", return_value=window), \
-             patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.play_alert") as mock_alert:
+             patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.play_alert") as mock_alert, \
+             patch(PATCH_APPEARANCE, return_value="dark"):
             daemon._handle_message(
                 json.dumps({"workspace": "/path", "event": "stop"}).encode()
             )
@@ -355,9 +369,9 @@ class TestFlasherDaemon:
         """Different colors for running vs completed are passed through."""
         running = StyleConfig(color="#FF0000")
         completed = StyleConfig(color="#00FF00")
+        dark = ThemeStyles(running=running, completed=completed)
         daemon = self._make_daemon(
-            approval_delay=0.0, flash_mode="window",
-            running=running, completed=completed,
+            approval_delay=0.0, flash_mode="window", dark=dark,
         )
         window = {"title": "proj", "frame": ((0, 0), (800, 600))}
 
@@ -367,7 +381,8 @@ class TestFlasherDaemon:
 
         with patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.find_window_by_workspace", return_value=window), \
              patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.is_cursor_frontmost", return_value=False), \
-             patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.play_alert"):
+             patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.play_alert"), \
+             patch(PATCH_APPEARANCE, return_value="dark"):
             daemon._check_pending()
 
         daemon.overlay.pulse.assert_called_once_with(
@@ -378,7 +393,8 @@ class TestFlasherDaemon:
         daemon._last_flash = 0
 
         with patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.find_window_by_workspace", return_value=window), \
-             patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.play_alert"):
+             patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.play_alert"), \
+             patch(PATCH_APPEARANCE, return_value="dark"):
             daemon._handle_message(
                 json.dumps({"workspace": "/path", "event": "stop"}).encode()
             )
@@ -386,3 +402,29 @@ class TestFlasherDaemon:
         daemon.overlay.flash.assert_called_once_with(
             [((0, 0), (800, 600))], completed
         )
+
+    def test_theme_auto_uses_light_when_system_light(self):
+        """Auto theme resolves to light styles when system is in light mode."""
+        dark_running = StyleConfig(color="#111111")
+        light_running = StyleConfig(color="#EEEEEE")
+        daemon = self._make_daemon(
+            approval_delay=0.0, flash_mode="window",
+            dark=ThemeStyles(running=dark_running),
+            light=ThemeStyles(running=light_running),
+            theme="auto",
+        )
+        window = {"title": "proj", "frame": ((0, 0), (800, 600))}
+
+        daemon._handle_message(
+            json.dumps({"workspace": "/path", "event": "preToolUse", "tool": "Shell"}).encode()
+        )
+
+        with patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.find_window_by_workspace", return_value=window), \
+             patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.is_cursor_frontmost", return_value=False), \
+             patch("cursor_flasher.daemon.play_alert"), \
+             patch(PATCH_APPEARANCE, return_value="light"):
+            daemon._check_pending()
+
+        daemon.overlay.pulse.assert_called_once_with(
+            [((0, 0), (800, 600))], light_running
+        )