~3 min read • Updated Mar 1, 2026
1. What Is the Evolution Skin and Why Is It Important?
The Evolution skin is DirectAdmin’s next generation user interface. It replaces the older Enhanced skin with a modern, responsive, and developer friendly design. Evolution is not just a theme—it introduces a new UI engine and a fully JSON capable communication layer.
Key Features of Evolution:
- Nearly 100% JSON support (add
json=yesto any CMD_ request) - In page editing without full page reloads
- Advanced plugin and script development capabilities
- Modern, responsive, user friendly design
- Light and Dark Mode support
- Flexible menu structure with deep customization options
2. How to Enable the Evolution Skin
On new installations, Evolution is enabled by default. If another skin (like Enhanced) is active, follow these steps:
- Log in as admin
- Switch to Reseller Level
- Go to: Reseller Tools → Skin Manager
- Select the evolution skin
- Choose one of the following:
- Set Global → apply to the entire server
- Apply to me → admin only
- Apply to All users → all users under admin
3. Changing the Skin for All Users via SSH
If you want to force Evolution for all admins, resellers, users, and packages:
cd /usr/local/directadmin/data/users
# Update admin packages
perl -pi -e 's|skin=enhanced|skin=evolution|g' ../admin/packages/*.pkg
# Update reseller packages
perl -pi -e 's|skin=enhanced|skin=evolution|g' */packages/*.pkg
# Update user skins
perl -pi -e 's|skin=enhanced|skin=evolution|g' */user.conf
# Update docsroot
perl -pi -e 's|docsroot=./data/skins/enhanced|docsroot=./data/skins/evolution|g' */user.conf
After running these commands, all accounts will use Evolution.
---4. Customizing the Evolution Skin
All customization options are available under:
Admin Tools → Customize Evolution Skin
Inheritance Rules:
- Reseller changes → apply to the reseller and their users
- Admin changes → apply to all users and resellers (unless overridden)
4.1 Color Customization
- Component Colors → text, links, tables, small UI elements
- Theme Colors → menus, headers, layout backgrounds
4.2 Custom Help Links
By default, help links point to evo.site-helper.com.
- You can replace any help link with your own documentation.
- Clear Defaults removes all built in help links.
4.3 Custom Logos and Images
- Main logo (light/dark)
- Favicon
- Login page background (light/dark)
4.4 Adding Custom CSS
You can insert CSS directly or link an external stylesheet.
Available CSS variables:
--img-logo
--img-logo-light
--img-logo-dark
--primary
--safe
--danger
--neutral
4.5 Menu Customization
- Add, remove, or reorder menu items
- Add links to external ticket systems or other panels
- Rename sections (e.g., Support & Help)
4.6 Disabling the Built In Ticket System
If you use an external ticket system:
Reseller Level → Manage Tickets → Ticket System Settings
Uncheck Ticket System Enabled and enter your external URL.
---5. Evolution Skin Translation
Translations are managed separately from the backend:
https://translate.directadmin.com
- Languages with 80%+ completion are included in new releases.
- You can submit new translations via ticket or forum.
6. Notes for the Legacy Enhanced Skin
If you still use the old Enhanced skin:
Create a new language pack:
cd /usr/local/directadmin/data/skins/enhanced/lang
cp -R en mylang
chown -R diradmin:diradmin mylang
chmod -R 755 mylang
Convert to UTF 8:
cd /usr/local/directadmin/data/skins/enhanced/lang/en
cp -p lf_standard.html my_lf_standard.html
perl -pi -e 's/iso-8859-1/UTF-8/' my_lf_standard.html
echo "LF_STANDARD=my_lf_standard.html" >> ../files_custom.conf
Small customizations using files_custom.conf:
cp header_wide.html my_header_wide.html
# edit the file...
echo "HTM_HEADER_WIDE=my_header_wide.html" >> files_custom.conf
Written & researched by Dr. Shahin Siami