diff --git a/static/colors.less b/static/colors.less
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..252f5b2ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/static/colors.less
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+// This file has fallback colors. It specifies the color variables all themes
+// must implement.
+
+@background-color-1: #fff;
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/themes/atom-dark-ui/colors.less b/themes/atom-dark-ui/colors.less
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8495087f0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/themes/atom-dark-ui/colors.less
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+@background-color-1: #333;
+@background-color-2: #202123;
+@background-color-3: #1b1c1e;
+
+// Info colors are generally blue
+@accent-color-info-1: #66a6ff;
+@accent-color-info-2: #0098ff;
+@accent-color-info-3: #5293d8;
+
+// Error colors are generally red
+@accent-color-error-1: #f78a46;
+
diff --git a/themes/atom-light-ui/colors.less b/themes/atom-light-ui/colors.less
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..98454f9a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/themes/atom-light-ui/colors.less
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+@background-color-1: #f4f4f4;
\ No newline at end of file