diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 0432eea..2908887 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -278,6 +278,8 @@ dependencies = [
  "rmp-serde",
  "serde",
  "serde_json",
+ "strum 0.27.1",
+ "strum_macros",
  "time",
  "tokio",
  "tower-http",
@@ -4146,7 +4148,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "serde",
  "serde_json",
  "sqlx",
- "strum",
+ "strum 0.26.3",
  "thiserror 1.0.69",
  "time",
  "tracing",
@@ -4907,6 +4909,25 @@ version = "0.26.3"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "8fec0f0aef304996cf250b31b5a10dee7980c85da9d759361292b8bca5a18f06"
 
+[[package]]
+name = "strum"
+version = "0.27.1"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "f64def088c51c9510a8579e3c5d67c65349dcf755e5479ad3d010aa6454e2c32"
+
+[[package]]
+name = "strum_macros"
+version = "0.27.1"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "c77a8c5abcaf0f9ce05d62342b7d298c346515365c36b673df4ebe3ced01fde8"
+dependencies = [
+ "heck 0.5.0",
+ "proc-macro2",
+ "quote",
+ "rustversion",
+ "syn 2.0.100",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "subtle"
 version = "2.6.1"
diff --git a/asklyphe-frontend/Cargo.toml b/asklyphe-frontend/Cargo.toml
index 071dde5..d495bee 100644
--- a/asklyphe-frontend/Cargo.toml
+++ b/asklyphe-frontend/Cargo.toml
@@ -36,5 +36,7 @@ once_cell = "1.19.0"
 chrono = "0.4.33"
 rand = "0.8.5"
 url_encoded_data = "0.6.1"
+strum = "0.27.1"
+strum_macros = "0.27.1"
 
 env_logger = "*"
diff --git a/asklyphe-frontend/src/routes/admin.rs b/asklyphe-frontend/src/routes/admin.rs
index 3e97993..271d962 100644
--- a/asklyphe-frontend/src/routes/admin.rs
+++ b/asklyphe-frontend/src/routes/admin.rs
@@ -343,45 +343,14 @@ pub async fn admin_invitecode(
         }
         
         let active_codes = match list_invite_codes(nats.clone(), token.clone(), false).await {
-            Ok(mut v) => {
-                for v in &mut v {
-                    if let Some(used_by) = &v.used_by {
-                        if used_by.len() > 32 {
-                            v.used_by = Some(format!("{}...", &used_by[0..32]));
-                        }
-                    }
-
-                    if v.creator.len() > 32 {
-                        v.creator = format!("{}...", &v.creator[0..32]);
-                    }
-                }
-
-                v
-            },
+            Ok(v) => v,
             Err(e) => {
                 return e.into_response();
             }
         };
         
         let used_codes = match list_invite_codes(nats.clone(), token.clone(), true).await {
-            Ok(v) => v.into_iter().map(|mut v| {
-                if let Some(used_by) = &v.used_by {
-                    if used_by.len() > 32 {
-                        v.used_by = Some(format!("{}...", &used_by[0..32]));
-                    }
-                }
-
-                if v.creator.len() > 32 {
-                    v.creator = format!("{}...", &v.creator[0..32]);
-                }
-
-                if v.used_at.is_none() {
-                    v.used_at = Some(String::from("unset"));
-                    v
-                } else {
-                    v
-                }
-            }).collect(),
+            Ok(v) => v.into_iter().map(|mut v| if v.used_at.is_none() { v.used_at = Some(String::from("unset")); v } else { v }).collect(),
             Err(e) => {
                 return e.into_response();
             }
@@ -657,4 +626,4 @@ pub async fn admin_user_list(
     } else {
         Redirect::to("/").into_response()
     }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/asklyphe-frontend/src/routes/announcement.rs b/asklyphe-frontend/src/routes/announcement.rs
index 37865f6..3f0f082 100644
--- a/asklyphe-frontend/src/routes/announcement.rs
+++ b/asklyphe-frontend/src/routes/announcement.rs
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ use tracing::{debug, error};
 use tracing::log::warn;
 use crate::{Opts, ALPHA, BUILT_ON, GIT_COMMIT, VERSION, YEAR};
 use crate::routes::index::FrontpageAnnouncement;
+use crate::routes::Themes;
 
 #[derive(Serialize, Debug)]
 struct FullAnnouncement {
@@ -96,7 +97,7 @@ pub struct AnnouncementTemplate {
     built_on: String,
     year: String,
     alpha: bool,
-    theme: String,
+    theme: Themes,
     announcement: FullAnnouncement,
 }
 
@@ -109,10 +110,10 @@ pub async fn announcement_full(Extension(nats): Extension<Arc<jetstream::Context
             built_on: BUILT_ON.to_string(),
             year: YEAR.to_string(),
             alpha: ALPHA,
-            theme: "default".to_string(),
+            theme: Themes::Default,
             announcement,
         }.into_response()
     } else {
         StatusCode::NOT_FOUND.into_response()
     }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/asklyphe-frontend/src/routes/index.rs b/asklyphe-frontend/src/routes/index.rs
index fa7d199..f7362c3 100644
--- a/asklyphe-frontend/src/routes/index.rs
+++ b/asklyphe-frontend/src/routes/index.rs
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ use tokio::sync::Mutex;
 use tracing::error;
 use tracing::log::warn;
 use crate::{BUILT_ON, GIT_COMMIT, Opts, ALPHA, VERSION, WEBSITE_COUNT, YEAR};
-use crate::routes::{authenticate_user, UserInfo};
+use crate::routes::{authenticate_user, Themes, UserInfo};
 
 #[derive(Serialize, Debug)]
 pub struct FrontpageAnnouncement {
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ pub fn frontpage_error(error: &str, auth_url: String) -> FrontpageTemplate {
         year: YEAR.to_string(),
         alpha: ALPHA,
         count: WEBSITE_COUNT.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
-        theme: "default".to_string(),
+        theme: Themes::Default,
         announcement: None,
     }
 }
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ pub struct FrontpageTemplate {
     year: String,
     alpha: bool,
     count: u64,
-    theme: String,
+    theme: Themes,
     announcement: Option<FrontpageAnnouncement>,
 }
 
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ pub async fn frontpage(
         year: YEAR.to_string(),
         alpha: ALPHA,
         count: WEBSITE_COUNT.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
-        theme: "default".to_string(),
+        theme: Themes::Default,
         announcement,
     }
 }
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ struct IndexTemplate {
     year: String,
     alpha: bool,
     count: u64,
-    theme: String,
+    theme: Themes,
     announcement: Option<FrontpageAnnouncement>,
 }
 
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ pub async fn index(
                 return (jar.remove("token"), frontpage_error(e.as_str(), opts.auth_url.clone())).into_response();
             }
         };
-        let theme = info.theme.clone();
+        let theme = info.get_theme();
         
         let announcement = latest_announcement(nats.clone()).await;
         
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ pub async fn index(
             year: YEAR.to_string(),
             alpha: ALPHA,
             count: WEBSITE_COUNT.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
-            theme: "default".to_string(),
+            theme: Themes::Default,
             announcement,
         }.into_response()
     }
diff --git a/asklyphe-frontend/src/routes/mod.rs b/asklyphe-frontend/src/routes/mod.rs
index 445859b..75a22d1 100644
--- a/asklyphe-frontend/src/routes/mod.rs
+++ b/asklyphe-frontend/src/routes/mod.rs
@@ -10,7 +10,8 @@
  *
  * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License along with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 */
-
+use std::fmt::Display;
+use std::str::FromStr;
 use std::sync::Arc;
 use askama::Template;
 use askama_axum::IntoResponse;
@@ -21,7 +22,13 @@ use asklyphe_common::nats::comms::ServiceResponse;
 use async_nats::jetstream;
 use axum::http::StatusCode;
 use serde::Serialize;
-use tracing::error;
+use strum::IntoEnumIterator;
+use strum_macros::EnumIter;
+use time::macros::utc_datetime;
+use time::{OffsetDateTime, UtcDateTime};
+use tracing::{debug, error};
+
+const RANDOM_THEME_EPOCH: UtcDateTime = utc_datetime!(2025-03-19 00:00);
 
 pub mod search;
 pub mod index;
@@ -30,7 +37,102 @@ pub mod user_settings;
 pub mod admin;
 pub mod announcement;
 
-#[derive(Serialize)]
+#[derive(Default, EnumIter, PartialEq, Eq, Copy, Clone)]
+pub enum Themes {
+    Classic,
+    Dark,
+    #[default]
+    Default,
+    Freaky,
+    Gloss,
+    Oled,
+    Water,
+    Random
+}
+
+impl Themes {
+    pub fn get_all_themes() -> Vec<Themes> {
+        Self::iter().collect()
+    }
+
+    pub fn display_name(&self) -> String {
+        match self {
+            Themes::Classic => {
+                "classic".to_string()
+            }
+            Themes::Dark => {
+                "dark theme".to_string()
+            }
+            Themes::Default => {
+                "default theme".to_string()
+            }
+            Themes::Freaky => {
+                "freaky".to_string()
+            }
+            Themes::Gloss => {
+                "gloss".to_string()
+            }
+            Themes::Oled => {
+                "lights out".to_string()
+            }
+            Themes::Water => {
+                "water".to_string()
+            }
+            Themes::Random => {
+                "random".to_string()
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn internal_name(&self) -> String {
+        match self {
+            Themes::Classic => {
+                "classic".to_string()
+            }
+            Themes::Dark => {
+                "dark".to_string()
+            }
+            Themes::Default => {
+                "default".to_string()
+            }
+            Themes::Freaky => {
+                "freaky".to_string()
+            }
+            Themes::Gloss => {
+                "gloss".to_string()
+            }
+            Themes::Oled => {
+                "oled".to_string()
+            }
+            Themes::Water => {
+                "water".to_string()
+            }
+            Themes::Random => {
+                "random".to_string()
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl FromStr for Themes {
+    type Err = ();
+
+    fn from_str(s: &str) -> Result<Self, Self::Err> {
+        match s {
+            "classic" => Ok(Themes::Classic),
+            "dark" => Ok(Themes::Dark),
+            "default" => Ok(Themes::Default),
+            "freaky" => Ok(Themes::Freaky),
+            "gloss" => Ok(Themes::Gloss),
+            "oled" => Ok(Themes::Oled),
+            "water" => Ok(Themes::Water),
+            "random" => Ok(Themes::Random),
+            _ => Err(())
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Serialize, Clone)]
 pub struct UserInfo {
     pub username: String,
     pub email: String,
@@ -39,6 +141,27 @@ pub struct UserInfo {
     pub administrator: bool,
 }
 
+impl UserInfo {
+    pub fn get_theme(&self) -> Themes {
+        let theme: Themes = self.theme.parse().unwrap_or_default();
+
+        if theme.eq(&Themes::Random) {
+            let possible_themes = Themes::get_all_themes();
+            let current_day = UtcDateTime::now();
+
+            let rand_value = (((current_day - RANDOM_THEME_EPOCH).as_seconds_f64() / 86400.0) % possible_themes.len() as f64) as usize;
+            
+            *possible_themes.get(rand_value).unwrap_or(&Themes::Default)
+        } else {
+            theme
+        }
+    }
+    
+    pub fn get_true_theme(&self) -> Themes {
+        self.theme.parse().unwrap()
+    }
+}
+
 pub async fn authenticate_user(nats: Arc<jetstream::Context>, token: String) -> Result<UserInfo, String> {
     let response = comms::query_service(
         comms::Query::AuthService(AuthServiceQuery {
@@ -114,4 +237,4 @@ pub struct NotFoundTemplate;
 
 pub async fn not_found() -> impl IntoResponse {
     (StatusCode::NOT_FOUND, NotFoundTemplate).into_response()
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/asklyphe-frontend/src/routes/search.rs b/asklyphe-frontend/src/routes/search.rs
index 0c90393..f1d43b7 100644
--- a/asklyphe-frontend/src/routes/search.rs
+++ b/asklyphe-frontend/src/routes/search.rs
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 */
 
 use crate::routes::index::frontpage_error;
-use crate::routes::{authenticate_user, UserInfo};
+use crate::routes::{authenticate_user, Themes, UserInfo};
 use crate::searchbot::{gather_image_results, gather_search_results};
 use crate::unit_converter;
 use crate::unit_converter::UnitConversion;
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ struct SearchTemplateJavascript {
     built_on: String,
     year: String,
     alpha: bool,
-    theme: String,
+    theme: Themes,
 }
 
 pub async fn search_js(
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ pub async fn search_js(
     Extension(opts): Extension<Opts>,
 ) -> impl IntoResponse {
     fn error_response(query: String, info: UserInfo, error: &str) -> SearchTemplateJavascript {
-        let theme = info.theme.clone();
+        let theme = info.get_theme();
         let querystr = url_encoded_data::stringify(&[("q", query.as_str())]);
         SearchTemplateJavascript {
             info,
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ pub async fn search_js(
             query = query.replace("-complications", "");
         }
 
-        let theme = info.theme.clone();
+        let theme = info.get_theme();
         let querystr = url_encoded_data::stringify(&[("q", og_query.as_str())]);
         SearchTemplateJavascript {
             info,
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ pub struct SearchTemplate {
     pub built_on: String,
     pub year: String,
     pub alpha: bool,
-    pub theme: String,
+    pub theme: Themes,
 }
 
 pub async fn search_nojs(
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ pub async fn search_nojs(
     Extension(opts): Extension<Opts>,
 ) -> impl IntoResponse {
     fn error_response(query: String, info: UserInfo, error: &str) -> SearchTemplate {
-        let theme = info.theme.clone();
+        let theme = info.get_theme();
         let querystr = url_encoded_data::stringify(&[("q", query.as_str())]);
         SearchTemplate {
             info,
@@ -416,7 +416,7 @@ pub struct ImageSearchTemplate {
     pub built_on: String,
     pub year: String,
     pub alpha: bool,
-    pub theme: String,
+    pub theme: Themes,
 }
 pub async fn image_search(
     jar: CookieJar,
@@ -425,7 +425,7 @@ pub async fn image_search(
     Extension(opts): Extension<Opts>,
 ) -> impl IntoResponse {
     fn error_response(query: String, info: UserInfo, error: &str) -> ImageSearchTemplate {
-        let theme = info.theme.clone();
+        let theme = info.get_theme();
         let querystr = url_encoded_data::stringify(&[("q", query.as_str())]);
         ImageSearchTemplate {
             info,
diff --git a/asklyphe-frontend/src/routes/user_settings.rs b/asklyphe-frontend/src/routes/user_settings.rs
index df53dee..0a022c6 100644
--- a/asklyphe-frontend/src/routes/user_settings.rs
+++ b/asklyphe-frontend/src/routes/user_settings.rs
@@ -27,49 +27,12 @@ use serde::Deserialize;
 use tokio::sync::Mutex;
 use tracing::error;
 use crate::{BUILT_ON, GIT_COMMIT, Opts, ALPHA, VERSION, WEBSITE_COUNT, YEAR};
-use crate::routes::{authenticate_user, UserInfo};
-
-pub struct Theme<'a> {
-    pub value: &'a str,
-    pub name: &'a str,
-}
-
-pub static THEMES: &[Theme] = &[
-    Theme {
-        value: "default",
-        name: "default theme",
-    },
-    Theme {
-        value: "dark",
-        name: "dark theme",
-    },
-    Theme {
-        value: "oled",
-        name: "lights out",
-    },
-    Theme {
-        value: "classic",
-        name: "classic",
-    },
-    Theme {
-        value: "freaky",
-        name: "freaky",
-    },
-    Theme {
-        value: "water",
-        name: "water",
-    },
-    Theme {
-        value: "gloss",
-        name: "gloss",
-    },
-];
+use crate::routes::{authenticate_user, Themes, UserInfo};
 
 #[derive(Template)]
 #[template(path = "user_settings.html")]
 pub struct SettingsTemplate {
-    themes: &'static [Theme<'static>],
-
+    themes: Vec<Themes>,
     error: Option<String>,
 
     info: UserInfo,
@@ -80,7 +43,8 @@ pub struct SettingsTemplate {
     year: String,
     alpha: bool,
     count: u64,
-    theme: String,
+    theme: Themes,
+    true_theme: Themes,
 }
 
 pub async fn user_settings(
@@ -96,11 +60,11 @@ pub async fn user_settings(
                 return (jar.remove("token"), crate::routes::index::frontpage_error(e.as_str(), opts.auth_url.clone())).into_response();
             }
         };
-        let theme = info.theme.clone();
+        let theme = info.get_theme();
         SettingsTemplate {
-            themes: THEMES,
+            themes: Themes::get_all_themes(),
             error: None,
-            info,
+            info: info.clone(),
             search_query: "".to_string(),
             version: VERSION.to_string(),
             git_commit: GIT_COMMIT.to_string(),
@@ -109,6 +73,7 @@ pub async fn user_settings(
             alpha: ALPHA,
             count: WEBSITE_COUNT.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
             theme,
+            true_theme: info.get_true_theme(),
         }.into_response()
     } else {
         Redirect::temporary("/").into_response()
@@ -126,11 +91,11 @@ pub async fn theme_change_post(
     Extension(opts): Extension<Opts>,
     Form(input): Form<ThemeChangeForm>,
 ) -> impl IntoResponse {
-    fn settings_error(info: UserInfo, theme: String, error: String) -> impl IntoResponse {
+    fn settings_error(info: UserInfo, theme: Themes, error: String) -> impl IntoResponse {
         SettingsTemplate {
-            themes: THEMES,
+            themes: Themes::get_all_themes(),
             error: Some(error),
-            info,
+            info: info.clone(),
             search_query: "".to_string(),
             version: VERSION.to_string(),
             git_commit: GIT_COMMIT.to_string(),
@@ -139,6 +104,7 @@ pub async fn theme_change_post(
             alpha: ALPHA,
             count: WEBSITE_COUNT.load(Ordering::Relaxed),
             theme,
+            true_theme: info.get_true_theme(),
         }.into_response()
     }
 
@@ -151,10 +117,12 @@ pub async fn theme_change_post(
             }
         };
 
-        let theme = info.theme.clone();
-        
-        if !THEMES.iter().map(|v| v.value.to_string()).collect::<Vec<String>>().contains(&input.theme.clone().unwrap_or("default".to_string())) {
-            return settings_error(info, theme, "invalid input, please try again!".to_string()).into_response();
+        let theme = info.get_theme();
+
+        if let Some(theme_input) = &input.theme {
+            if !Themes::get_all_themes().iter().map(|x| x.internal_name().to_string()).collect::<Vec<String>>().contains(&theme_input) {
+                return settings_error(info, theme.clone(), "invalid input, please try again!".to_string()).into_response();
+            }
         }
 
         let response = comms::query_service(comms::Query::AuthService(AuthServiceQuery {
@@ -200,4 +168,4 @@ pub async fn theme_change_post(
     } else {
         Redirect::to("/").into_response()
     }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/asklyphe-frontend/src/searchbot.rs b/asklyphe-frontend/src/searchbot.rs
index ca43ef9..2f60780 100644
--- a/asklyphe-frontend/src/searchbot.rs
+++ b/asklyphe-frontend/src/searchbot.rs
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ pub async fn gather_search_results(nats: Arc<jetstream::Context>, query: &str, u
         search_results.remove(rm - i);
     }
 
-    let theme = user_info.theme.clone();
+    let theme = user_info.get_theme();
     let querystr = url_encoded_data::stringify(&[("q", query)]);
     SearchTemplate {
         info: user_info,
@@ -489,7 +489,7 @@ pub async fn gather_image_results(nats: Arc<jetstream::Context>, query: &str, us
         result.src = format!("/imgproxy?{}", url);
     }
 
-    let theme = user_info.theme.clone();
+    let theme = user_info.get_theme();
     ImageSearchTemplate {
         info: user_info,
         error: None,
diff --git a/asklyphe-frontend/templates/frontpage.html b/asklyphe-frontend/templates/frontpage.html
index 7b84662..7536376 100644
--- a/asklyphe-frontend/templates/frontpage.html
+++ b/asklyphe-frontend/templates/frontpage.html
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@
 {% block title %}the best search engine{% endblock %}
 
 {% block head %}
-<link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/themes/{{theme}}/frontpage.css"/>
-<link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/themes/{{theme}}/inline-announcement.css"/>
+<link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/themes/{{theme.internal_name()}}/frontpage.css"/>
+<link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/themes/{{theme.internal_name()}}/inline-announcement.css"/>
 {% endblock %}
 
 {% block page %}
diff --git a/asklyphe-frontend/templates/home.html b/asklyphe-frontend/templates/home.html
index 0d6296d..44e9eb0 100644
--- a/asklyphe-frontend/templates/home.html
+++ b/asklyphe-frontend/templates/home.html
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@
 
 {% block head %}
 <link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/themes/default/home.css"/>
-<link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/themes/{{theme}}/home.css"/>
-<link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/themes/{{theme}}/inline-announcement.css"/>
+<link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/themes/{{theme.internal_name()}}/home.css"/>
+<link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/themes/{{theme.internal_name()}}/inline-announcement.css"/>
 {% endblock %}
 
 {% block page %}
@@ -71,4 +71,4 @@
     </div>
     {% include "ui/footer.html" %}
 </div>
-{% endblock %}
\ No newline at end of file
+{% endblock %}
diff --git a/asklyphe-frontend/templates/image_search.html b/asklyphe-frontend/templates/image_search.html
index 0adb67c..de06850 100644
--- a/asklyphe-frontend/templates/image_search.html
+++ b/asklyphe-frontend/templates/image_search.html
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 {% block head %}
 <link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/themes/default/imagesearch.css"/>
-<link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/themes/{{theme}}/imagesearch.css"/>
+<link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/themes/{{theme.internal_name()}}/imagesearch.css"/>
 {% if search_query == "notnite" %}<link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/creature.css"/>{% endif %}
 {% endblock %}
 
@@ -61,4 +61,4 @@
 
     {% include "ui/footer.html" %}
 </div>
-{% endblock %}
\ No newline at end of file
+{% endblock %}
diff --git a/asklyphe-frontend/templates/search.html b/asklyphe-frontend/templates/search.html
index db6868b..82d1dcc 100644
--- a/asklyphe-frontend/templates/search.html
+++ b/asklyphe-frontend/templates/search.html
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 {% block head %}
 <link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/themes/default/search.css"/>
-<link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/themes/{{theme}}/search.css"/>
+<link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/themes/{{theme.internal_name()}}/search.css"/>
 {% if search_query == "notnite" %}<link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/creature.css"/>{% endif %}
 {% endblock %}
 
@@ -97,4 +97,4 @@
 
     {% include "ui/footer.html" %}
 </div>
-{% endblock %}
\ No newline at end of file
+{% endblock %}
diff --git a/asklyphe-frontend/templates/search_js.html b/asklyphe-frontend/templates/search_js.html
index aa55755..71cc5d3 100644
--- a/asklyphe-frontend/templates/search_js.html
+++ b/asklyphe-frontend/templates/search_js.html
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 {% block head %}
 <link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/themes/default/search.css"/>
-<link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/themes/{{theme}}/search.css"/>
+<link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/themes/{{theme.internal_name()}}/search.css"/>
 {% if search_query == "notnite" %}<link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/creature.css"/>{% endif %}
 <script src="/static/js/search.js" defer></script>
 {% endblock %}
@@ -76,4 +76,4 @@
 
     {% include "ui/footer.html" %}
 </div>
-{% endblock %}
\ No newline at end of file
+{% endblock %}
diff --git a/asklyphe-frontend/templates/shell.html b/asklyphe-frontend/templates/shell.html
index aa1802e..a61cdd9 100644
--- a/asklyphe-frontend/templates/shell.html
+++ b/asklyphe-frontend/templates/shell.html
@@ -12,11 +12,11 @@
               href="/static/osd.xml" />
 
         <link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/themes/default/shell.css" />
-        <link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/themes/{{theme}}/shell.css" />
+        <link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/themes/{{theme.internal_name()}}/shell.css" />
 
         {% block head %}{% endblock %}
     </head>
     <body>
         {% block page %}{% endblock %}
     </body>
-</html>
\ No newline at end of file
+</html>
diff --git a/asklyphe-frontend/templates/user_settings.html b/asklyphe-frontend/templates/user_settings.html
index c09a8f8..63cfec8 100644
--- a/asklyphe-frontend/templates/user_settings.html
+++ b/asklyphe-frontend/templates/user_settings.html
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 {% block head %}
 <link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/themes/default/settings.css"/>
-<link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/themes/{{theme}}/settings.css"/>
+<link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/themes/{{theme.internal_name()}}/settings.css"/>
 {% endblock %}
 
 {% block page %}
@@ -43,16 +43,15 @@
                 <div class="settings-row">
                     <div id="theme" class="settings-section">
                         <h2>theme</h2>
-                        {% for t in themes %}
-                        {%if theme==t.value%}
-                        <p>your current theme is: "{{t.name}}"</p>
-                        {%endif%}
-                        {% endfor %}
+                        <p>your current theme is: "{{true_theme.display_name()}}"</p>
+                        {% if true_theme.internal_name() != theme.internal_name() %}
+                        <p>today's random theme is {{ theme.display_name() }}</p>
+                        {% endif %}
                         <form action="/user_settings/set_theme" method="post">
                             <label for="theme-selector">theme</label>
                             <select name="theme" id="theme-selector">
                                 {% for t in themes %}
-                                <option value="{{t.value}}" {%if theme==t.value%}selected{%endif%}>{{t.name}}</option>
+                                <option value="{{t.internal_name()}}" {%if true_theme.internal_name()==t.internal_name()%}selected{%endif%}>{{t.display_name()}}</option>
                                 {% endfor %}
                             </select>
                             <button type="submit" id="theme-submit">change theme!</button>
@@ -65,4 +64,4 @@
 
     {% include "ui/footer.html" %}
 </div>
-{% endblock %}
\ No newline at end of file
+{% endblock %}
diff --git a/authservice/src/db/user.rs b/authservice/src/db/user.rs
index 1f6ce8a..989b58d 100644
--- a/authservice/src/db/user.rs
+++ b/authservice/src/db/user.rs
@@ -457,6 +457,7 @@ pub async fn user_count(db: &DatabaseConnection) -> Result<usize, FetchUserError
 /// returns the number of users in the database who are admins
 pub async fn admin_count(db: &DatabaseConnection) -> Result<usize, FetchUserError> {
     // dont fucking touch this, i don't know why it works but it does, it's actually evil
+    // note: doesn't work
     Ok(user::Entity::find().filter(user::Column::Flags.into_expr().binary(BinOper::LShift, Expr::value(63 - 2)).lt(1 << (63 - 2)))
         .count(db).await.map_err(|e| {
         error!("DATABASE ERROR WHILE ADMINCOUNT: {e}");
@@ -482,4 +483,4 @@ pub async fn email_list(db: &DatabaseConnection) -> Result<Vec<(String, String)>
     })?.into_iter().map(|v| {
         (v.username, v.email)
     }).collect())
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}