---
name: "color.4th"
section: "8"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["freebsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/color.4th"
---

# color.4th(8)

FreeBSD color-detection boot module

## NAME

**color.4th** – FreeBSD color-detection boot module

## DESCRIPTION

The file that goes by the name of **color.4th** is a set of commands designed to simplify color logic. The commands of **color.4th** by themselves are not enough for most uses. Please refer to the examples below for the most common situations, and to [loader(8)](/loader/8.md) for additional commands.

Before using any of the commands provided in **color.4th**, it must be included through the command:

```
include color.4th
```

This line is present in */boot/loader.4th* file, so it is not needed (and should not be re-issued) in a normal setup.

The commands provided by it are:

- **loader\_color?**

  Returns FALSE if the **loader\_color** environment variable is set to “NO” (case-insensitive) or “0”. Otherwise returns TRUE (unless booting serial).

The environment variables that effect its behavior are:

- *loader\_color*

  If set to “NO” (case-insensitive) or “0”, causes **loader\_color?** to return FALSE, indicating to many modules that color should not be used.

## FILES

- */boot/loader*

  The [loader(8)](/loader/8.md).

- */boot/color.4th*

  **color.4th** itself.

- */boot/loader.rc*

  [loader(8)](/loader/8.md) bootstrapping script.

## EXAMPLES

Standard i386 */boot/loader.rc*:

Use color where applicable:

```
loader_color="YES"
```

## SEE ALSO

[loader.conf(5)](/loader.conf/5.md), [loader(8)](/loader/8.md), [loader.4th(8)](/loader.4th/8.md)

## HISTORY

The **color.4th** set of commands first appeared in FreeBSD 9.0.

## AUTHORS

The **color.4th** set of commands was written by Devin Teske ⟨*dteske@FreeBSD.org*⟩.