diff --git a/layouts/index.html b/layouts/index.html
index 002a71e4..35e0dd66 100644
--- a/layouts/index.html
+++ b/layouts/index.html
@@ -1,8 +1,18 @@
+{{- $defaultColor := .Site.Params.defaultColor | default "auto" -}}
+
+{{/* allow website developer to enforce default dark mode */}}
+{{- if eq $defaultColor "dark" -}}
+
+{{- else if eq $defaultColor "light" -}}
+
+{{- else -}}
+{{- end -}}
+
{{- partial "head.html" . -}}
-
+
{{- partial "scriptsBodyStart.html" . -}}
{{- partial "header.html" . -}}