User:Sdkb/sandbox/testpage2

[Proposed location: WP:VPR]

RfC: Syntax highlighting default

{\{rfc|prop|tech}}

Should syntax highlighting be turned on by default? ~~/~~

Background

Syntax highlighting is a feature launched in 2018 that helps make wikitext easier to read in the source editor by turning wikilinks blue, templates purple, references green, and other color codings. It can be toggled on or off at any point by clicking the highlighter button () in the editing toolbar.

A 2021 village pump discussion found consensus to turn on syntax highlighting by default for all new editors, but the implementation has stalled because of the technical difficulties involved in enabling a feature only for new accounts. This discussion seeks to determine whether it should be enabled by default for all editors, bypassing those difficulties. If implemented, a one-time change would enable it for everyone. Anyone who wished to opt out could do so by clicking the highlighter button, and the software would remember their choice from that point forward. ~~/~~

Survey

• Support as proposer. Syntax highlighting is a very helpful feature, as evidenced by the fact that most experienced editors use it. But many newer editors are unaware of it, thereby missing out on its benefits. Turning it on by default will make their editing experience better, hopefully leading to higher retention. Syntax highlighting isn't perfect, but the performance issues it used to cause have largely been resolved, and overall it's stable enough to deploy at scale. Opting out can be done with a single click, so this will not burden anyone who wants to do so. To make the transition smoother, an interface message or software notice could be deployed temporarily (say, for two weeks) explaining the change and how to opt out. ~~/~~

Discussion

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