Color picker
The color picker gives a task a color, two ways: a quick pick from a named palette, or a full custom color when you want an exact shade. A task's color makes it stand out on its chips and across views, so a glance tells you what it is.
The taskColor field is property type Text: it stores a hex color, written without the leading #, like 4987a7. The picker handles that format for you. See Inline task syntax.
MEDIA-DOCS-067-1: The color picker showing the 28 named palette swatches above the full custom color area.
Pick from the palette
The fastest path is the palette: a fixed grid of 28 named color slots that you curate once and reuse everywhere. Each slot has both a name and a hex, and both are yours to change. Rename Teal to Client A, swap a slot's hex for your brand color, and your names and colors appear in the picker from then on. You can even find a color by typing its name, so a well-named palette doubles as a search. Because the palette is shared, the same swatches are one click away wherever a color is set, which keeps your whole system visually consistent. The 28 slots can be reset to Operon's defaults at any time.
Or choose any color
When the palette is not enough, the picker opens a full custom color: a hue and shade area that lets you dial in any color, with its hex value. Use it for a one-off color or to add a new shade. Whatever you choose is stored as the same hex text, so a palette color and a custom color are the same kind of value underneath.
Type a HEX value directly
You can also type or paste a HEX value into the picker search field, with or without the leading #, for example #4987A7 or 4987a7. Operon previews the typed color, matches a palette slot when the HEX already exists there, and still stores the task value without the leading #.
MEDIA-DOCS-067-2: The custom color area, choosing a hue and shade with the hex value shown.
Removing a color
A Clear action removes the color, returning the task to its default appearance. A task with no color of its own can also borrow one from its parent for display. See Operon inheritance rules.
Where the color shows
A task's color appears on its chips and markers, and the Calendar can color blocks by task color. Pair color with an icon to make a task or a category unmistakable.
FAQ
Palette or custom color, which should I use? The palette for consistency and speed, the custom color when you need an exact or one-off shade. Both store the same hex value.
What does the field store? A hex color without the #, like 4987a7.
How do I remove a color? Use Clear. The task returns to its default look, or borrows a color from its parent if it has one.
Can I rename the palette colors? Yes. Each of the 28 slots has an editable name and hex, and your changes show in the picker. Naming them for your system (for example Client A) also lets you find them by typing.
Settings
The 28-slot named palette is configured in Settings → Operon → Interface → Color Palette, where you edit each slot's name and hex, and can reset all 28 to the Operon defaults. Your changes appear in every color picker.