ottrproject · padmashris · Apr 15, 2026 · Apr 20, 2026 · Apr 22, 2026 · Apr 22, 2026
diff --git a/_quarto.yml b/_quarto.yml
@@ -17,8 +17,6 @@ website:
             href: next_steps.qmd
           - text: "Example use cases"
             href: examples.qmd
-      - text: "Help me choose my template"
-        href: choose_template.qmd
       - text: "Build with OTTR"
         menu:
           - text: "Template"
@@ -32,15 +30,7 @@ website:
           - text: "Giving credits {{< fa award title='An award' >}}"
             href: more_features_credits.qmd
           - text: "---"
-          - text: "Customize"
-          - text: "Style {{< fa palette title='A palette' >}}"
-            href: customize-style.qmd
-          - text: "Checks {{< fa robot title='A robot' >}}"
-            href: customize-robots.qmd
-          - text: "Docker {{< fa gears title='gears' >}}"
-            href: customize-docker.qmd
-      - text: "Advanced Integrations"
-        menu:
+          - text: "Highly Recommended Steps"
           - text: "Google Analytics {{< fa chart-line title='a line chart' >}}"
             href: more_features_ganalytic.qmd
           - text: "Citing sources {{< fa quote-left title='A left quotation mark' >}}"
@@ -49,8 +39,23 @@ website:
             href: more_features_gdoc.qmd
           - text: "Borrowing chapters {{< fa bookmark title='A bookmark' >}}"
             href: more_features_borrowing.qmd
+          - text: ""
+          - text: "---"
+          - text: "Additional Customizations"
+          - text: "Style {{< fa palette title='A palette' >}}"
+            href: customize-style.qmd
+          - text: "Checks {{< fa robot title='A robot' >}}"
+            href: customize-robots.qmd
+          - text: "Docker {{< fa gears title='gears' >}}"
+            href: customize-docker.qmd
       - text: "Publishing OTTR courses"
-        href: publishing.qmd
+        menu:
+          - text: "Bookdown"
+            href: publishing_bookdown.qmd
+          - text: "Coursera"
+            href: publishing_coursera.qmd
+          - text: "Leanpub"
+            href: publishing_coursera.qmd
       - text: "Troubleshooting {{< fa tools title='tools' >}}"
         href: faqs.qmd
       - text: "Contact {{< fa envelope title='An envelope' >}}"
@@ -64,4 +69,8 @@ format:
     theme: cosmo
     css: styles.css
     toc: true
+    toc-location: left
     include-after-body: resources/footer.html
+    page-layout: article
+
+
diff --git a/customize-style.qmd b/customize-style.qmd
@@ -90,11 +90,45 @@ Thus as example the reference page looks like this:
 
 ## Changing course text colors
 
-To modify the colors used for the text, take a look at the `assets/style.css` code.
+Color theming is controlled through CSS variables. Default values live in `assets/style_config_default.css`, and course-specific overrides should go in `assets/style_config_custom.css`. To customize branding, update variables such as `--link-color`, `--accent-color`, and `--highlight-color`. You generally should not edit color hex codes directly in `assets/style.css`.
 
-If you would like to change the current dark blue color to be a different color, search and replace for `#012d72`. You can find hex color codes at this [website](https://htmlcolorcodes.com/color-picker/) to use as a replacement.
+For example, within your `assets/style_config_custom.css` file, you would add: 
-For example, within your `assets/style_config_custom.css` file, you would add: 
+For example, within your `assets/style_config_custom.css` file, you would add:  
-For example, within your `assets/style_config_custom.css` file, you would add: 
+For example, within your `assets/style_config_custom.css` file, you would add:  
 
-If you would like to change the current light blue color to be a different color, do the same but search for `#68ace5`.
+```
+/*
+any variables listed in style_config_default.css can be overridden by giving them a new value in this file
+- add additional variable on new lines inside the :root element
+- don't forget the semicolon at the end of the line
+*/
+
+:root {
+    --link-color: #a1005a;              /* deep magenta for links */
+    --accent-color: #6e0040;            /* dark rose (headings, emphasis) */
+    --highlight-color: #e754a6;         /* vibrant pink for UI highlights */
+    --caption-color: #4a4a4a;           /* neutral dark gray */
+    --background-color: #ffffff;
+    --callout-background-color: #f6e9f1; /* soft pink-tinted gray */
+  }
+```
+
+### Accessible Color Palettes
+
+It’s crucial to ensure that the color palettes you use are accessible to all viewers, including those with color vision deficiencies. Thoughtfully choosing color schemes enhances readability and helps convey information more effectively. This section covers tips for using accessible color palettes and introduces tools like **ColorBuddy**, and **Venngage** for designing visualizations that everyone can interpret.
+
+#### Recommended Resources
+
+**1. ColorBuddy**
+
+Link: <https://color-buddy.netlify.app/>
+
+ColorBuddy is a tool that helps you create and test color palettes for accessibility. It helps you make excellent color palettes for data visualization via a direct manipulation environment that evaluates your color palettes as you go.
+
+
+**2. Venngage Color Accessibility Tool**
+
+Link: <https://venngage.com/tools/accessible-color-palette-generator>
+
+Venngage offers a free tool that creates accessible color, ensuring you meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards.
 
 <br>
 

diff --git a/enroll_sync.qmd b/enroll_sync.qmd
@@ -2,6 +2,29 @@
 toc-depth: 5
 ---
 
+
+<div style="margin: 1.5rem 0;">
+  <iframe 
+    src="https://ottrproject.org/cheatsheets/ottr_sync.html"
+    width="100%" 
+    height="2820px" 
+    style="border: 1.5px solid #ADD8E6; border-radius: 8px;"
+    title="OTTR Enroll in Sync Updates Cheatsheet">
+  </iframe>
+
+  <div style="text-align: right; margin-top: 0px">
+  <a href="https://ottrproject.org/cheatsheets/ottr_sync.html" target="_blank" style="font-size: 1rem; color: #2a7a9a;">↗ Open in new tab</a>
+  </div>
+
+</div>
+
+<details>
+
+<summary style="cursor: pointer; color: #2a7a9a; font-weight: 600; margin: 1rem 0;">
+  Full setup guide with screenshots
+</summary>
+
+
 ## Enroll for Sync Updates
 
 The OTTR templates are always a work in progress. New features are added and bugs are smoothed out over time. [Your feedback is greatly appreciated](https://github.com/ottrproject/OTTR_Template/issues/new/choose). When updates are made to non-content files (checks, automation), pull requests are automatically filed to downstream repositories made from the template.
@@ -59,6 +82,8 @@ If you are part of the  <code>jhudsl</code> or <code>fhdsl</code> GitHub organiz
 _If you have any questions about these updates or files, please tag `@kweav` or `@carriewright11`._
 </p>
 
+</details>
+
 ---
 
 **← Back to:** [Next Steps](next_steps.qmd) · **Continue with:** [Customizing Style](customize-style.qmd)**→**