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Open-Source CMS · Dreamer-Paul

Single

Single is a clean, minimal Typecho blog theme featuring dark mode, article table of contents, image lightbox, and syntax highlighting. Built with CSS and JavaScript (no jQuery dependency), it is distributed under the MIT license and maintained as an active open-source project.

Source: GitHub — github.com/Dreamer-Paul/Single
724
GitHub stars
76
Forks
CSS
Primary language
MIT
License (OSI-approved)

Key facts

Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.

FieldValue
RepositoryDreamer-Paul/Single
OwnerDreamer-Paul
Primary languageCSS
LicenseMIT — OSI-approved
Stars724
Forks76
Open issues1
Latest release2.1 (2019-11-17)
Last updated2025-12-02
Sourcehttps://github.com/Dreamer-Paul/Single

What Single is

A CSS-primary Typecho theme providing client-side enhancements (smooth scrolling, code highlighting via Prism, Font Awesome icons) without jQuery. Integrates with Typecho's templating system via the usr/themes/ directory structure.

Quickstart

Get the Single source

Clone the repository and explore it locally.

terminalbash
git clone https://github.com/Dreamer-Paul/Single.gitcd Single# follow the project's README for install & configuration

Need it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.

Best use cases

Typecho Blog Deployment

Organizations or individuals running Typecho CMS who need a production-ready, visually modern theme with built-in dark mode and responsive design without complex customization.

Minimal, Fast-Loading Blogs

Content creators prioritizing page load speed and accessibility; the theme avoids jQuery and uses lightweight dependencies (Prism for highlighting, Font Awesome for icons).

Technical Writing & Documentation

Blogs focused on code examples and technical articles benefit from integrated code syntax highlighting and article table-of-contents features.

Implementation considerations

  • Install requires direct access to Typecho's file system (usr/themes/ directory); typically performed via SSH, SFTP, or hosting control panel.
  • Theme activation is managed via Typecho's admin dashboard; no command-line tooling is required, but basic Typecho administration knowledge is necessary.
  • Customization (colors, fonts, layout adjustments) requires CSS knowledge; theme options for non-technical users are not clearly documented.
  • Dark mode is toggled client-side via JavaScript; no server-side session persistence is apparent from the README, so preference may not survive session logout.
  • External dependencies (Prism for syntax highlighting, Font Awesome icons) are bundled or referenced; review included versions for security and compatibility.

When to avoid it — and what to weigh

  • Non-Typecho CMS Platforms — Single is exclusively a Typecho theme; it cannot be used with WordPress, Ghost, Hugo, or other CMS/static generators without significant rework.
  • Complex Enterprise Customization — If you require extensive custom functionality (e-commerce integration, advanced user management, enterprise APIs), a general-purpose CMS or framework is more suitable than a theme layer.
  • Outdated Typecho Versions — Theme compatibility requires an active, supported Typecho version; very old or abandoned Typecho installations may encounter compatibility issues.
  • Heavy JavaScript Interactivity Needs — Single is designed for content delivery; applications requiring rich interactive UI, real-time updates, or complex state management should use a JavaScript framework instead.

License & commercial use

MIT License. The theme requires that the original author's copyright notice be retained in CSS, JS, and related source files. Attribution in the page footer (linking to the theme repository) is recommended but not strictly enforced by the license.

MIT is a permissive OSI license allowing commercial use, modification, and distribution. Retain copyright notices in source code. However, verify your Typecho installation's license and any hosting/deployment constraints. No warranty is provided; consult legal counsel if deploying in a regulated environment.

DEV.co evaluation signals

Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.

SignalAssessment
MaintenanceActive
DocumentationAdequate
License clarityClear
Deployment complexityLow
DEV.co fitPossible
Assessment confidenceHigh
Security considerations

Single is a theme layer; security depends primarily on the Typecho core and hosting environment. Review Prism (syntax highlighting), Font Awesome, and any bundled JavaScript for known CVEs. The theme itself does not appear to handle authentication, database queries, or sensitive user data directly, reducing theme-specific attack surface. Always keep Typecho and dependencies patched.

Alternatives to consider

Typecho Official Themes (e.g., Handsome, Void)

Native Typecho themes with larger communities and more frequent updates; may offer more customization options out-of-the-box.

WordPress with Minimal Themes (e.g., Neve, Astra)

If switching CMS is acceptable, WordPress has a larger ecosystem of themes, plugins, and community support for blogging use cases.

Static Site Generators (Hugo, Jekyll, 11ty)

For tech-focused blogs prioritizing speed and simplicity, static generation avoids PHP/database overhead and simplifies hosting and maintenance.

Software development agency

Build on Single with DEV.co software developers

Review the installation guide and documentation to get started. For custom Typecho development, consulting, or hosting optimization, Devco can assist with web app and custom software solutions tailored to your blogging platform.

Talk to DEV.co

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Single FAQ

Can I use Single with WordPress?
No. Single is exclusive to Typecho. WordPress uses a different theme architecture and template system.
Is dark mode stored in the database or local storage?
The README does not specify persistence mechanism. Likely uses browser local storage (client-side); requires review of the JavaScript source to confirm.
What PHP and Typecho versions are required?
Not clearly stated in the README. Consult the documentation site (docs.paul.ren/single) or the GitHub issues for version compatibility.
Can I modify the theme CSS without losing changes on updates?
Best practice is to create a child theme or use CSS overrides in Typecho's custom styles. Directly editing theme files will be overwritten on theme updates.

Software development & web development with DEV.co

DEV.co helps companies turn open-source tools like Single into production software. Our software development services cover the full lifecycle — architecture, web development, integration, and maintenance — delivered by software developers and web developers who ship. Engage our software development agency to implement or customize it for your open-source cms stack.

Ready to deploy Single on your Typecho blog?

Review the installation guide and documentation to get started. For custom Typecho development, consulting, or hosting optimization, Devco can assist with web app and custom software solutions tailored to your blogging platform.