kristopolous/bootstra.386

★ 6,860HTMLAudience · developerComplexity · 1/5Setup · easy

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((bootstra.386))
    What it does
      Retro DOS theme
      Bootstrap skin
    Aesthetic
      Green on black
      Amber text
      MS-DOS era look
    Bootstrap versions
      v2 v3 v4
      v5 in progress
    Config
      _386 JS object
      Loading animation
      JS-disabled fallback

mindmap root((bootstra.386)) What it does Retro DOS theme Bootstrap skin Aesthetic Green on black Amber text MS-DOS era look Bootstrap versions v2 v3 v4 v5 in progress Config _386 JS object Loading animation JS-disabled fallback

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Things people build with this

USE CASE 1

Apply the theme to a Bootstrap project to give it an instant retro MS-DOS terminal look with no design work.

USE CASE 2

Download the v3 or v4 ZIP and prototype a nostalgic-themed personal project or portfolio page.

USE CASE 3

Use the _386 JavaScript object to add a configurable DOS-style loading animation to any Bootstrap page.

Tech stack

HTMLCSSJavaScriptBootstrap

Getting it running

Difficulty · easy Time to first run · 5min

In plain English

BOOTSTRA.386 is a visual theme for Bootstrap, a popular web design toolkit. The theme makes websites look like they came from the early 1980s MS-DOS era, complete with the green-on-black or amber text aesthetics of that period. If you have ever seen an old IBM PC text interface, the output of this theme will feel familiar. Bootstrap itself is a framework that gives web developers ready-made buttons, navigation bars, form fields, and other standard interface pieces. This theme replaces Bootstrap's default modern look with one that mimics the character-based displays of early personal computers. The result is intentionally retro, aimed at developers who want a nostalgic or novelty look for their projects. The project supports multiple Bootstrap versions: v2, v3, and v4, with v5 listed as in progress. Each version is available as a downloadable ZIP file containing the necessary CSS and JavaScript to get started. There are live demos linked from the README showing what the theme looks like in the browser. Configuration is minimal. A JavaScript object called _386 can be set in a page to control optional loading animations, including how fast they run and whether they repeat. For users who have JavaScript disabled, the README includes a code snippet to keep the page visible since the theme relies on JavaScript for some of its effects. The project is maintained by one person, who notes that it is not a rigorously updated project. Contributions are welcome, and the README links to a contribution guide and a mailing list. A font used in the v4 and v5 builds comes from int10h.org under a Creative Commons license.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1

I want my Bootstrap 4 site to look like an old DOS terminal. How do I add BOOTSTRA.386 and what files do I include?

Prompt 2

How do I configure the _386 JavaScript object in BOOTSTRA.386 to control the startup animation speed and repetition?

Prompt 3

My page goes blank when JavaScript is disabled and I use BOOTSTRA.386. What CSS snippet keeps the page visible?

Prompt 4

Which BOOTSTRA.386 version supports Bootstrap v4, and what is the quickest way to get a demo running locally?

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