Create a material style theme

[vicancy]

the layout of Google API theme looks quite similar to docfx's

[shyamal890]

+1

[ovasquez]

The Material Theme for MkDocs could be used as the base for the docfx theme
https://squidfunk.github.io/mkdocs-material/

There are already a couple of ports of that theme to other generators:

• https://themes.gohugo.io/theme/material-docs/getting-started/
• https://github.com/jonas/paradox-material-theme

[JimBobSquarePants]

Creating a theme here shouldn't be a concern of the core project, rather simplifying the creation of themes should be.

There are serious markup, css styling and accessibility issues with the default templates and I would suggest getting someone with UX/frontend skills involved to help clean it up.

I've noted in an attempt to style the default output:

• Removal of outline styles.
• Lack of aria attribution for menu items
• Over specificity of css selectors
• Floating items without clearing containers
• Absolute and fixed positioning where it simply isn't required.
• Over complication of markup for iconography
• Tiny clickable areas (side nav)
• No use of sections/articles.
• Very limited use of Html5 roles
• Old JQuery library inclusion

And that's just scratching the surface.

This work would require a major version as it would introduce breaking changes.

I'm more than a little disappointed that MS didn't strive to make the output more inclusive.

[yufeih]

@JimBobSquarePants,

We know there are lots of areas to improve in docfx and creating a customized theme is just one of the outstanding problems. Like you mentioned, a major breaking change is needed to modernize the system. We had some initial discussions around how to build the next version of docfx and customized themes is definitely a big topic. It is still at the very early stage, but we'd like to hear all food for thoughts.

[JimBobSquarePants]

Hey @yufeih long time no chat! 😄

When you get around to making plans for vnext more concrete I'd love to help so please let me know.

[superyyrrzz]

#4002