---
title: "Preferences"
description: "Set your theme (Light, Dark, or Auto), choose your send key, and decide whether industry codes show by default. All three are personal settings."
group: "account"
lane: "how-to"
status: "published"
publishedAt: 2026-07-03
sidebarOrder: 8
tags: ["settings", "preferences", "theme"]
relatedSlugs:
  - "account/settings-overview"
  - "account/personal-info"
  - "reference/keyboard-shortcuts"
sidebarLabel: "Preferences"
---

Preferences is the first tab in Settings. It controls how Wave looks and behaves for you personally. Your choices here do not affect anyone else on your team.

To get there, open the account menu, choose Settings, and select the **Preferences** tab.

## Theme

Pick **Light**, **Dark**, or **Auto**. Auto follows your device's setting, so Wave switches with your system. There is also a theme toggle at the bottom of the home page if you want to switch without opening Settings.

## Send key

Choose how messages get sent in chat:

- **Enter** sends the message.
- **⌘Enter (Ctrl+Enter)** sends the message.

If you tend to write longer messages and keep sending them early, switch to ⌘Enter (Ctrl+Enter).

## Show industry codes by default

Turn this on to show industry codes in the description column of every estimate you open. Turn it off for a cleaner view.

This sets your starting point, not a hard rule. On any estimate you can press **X** to show or hide codes on the spot. Industry codes are visible on paid plans; see [Plans and limits](/docs/billing/plan-comparison).

## Saving

Changes save as you make them. A "Saved" indicator pulses after each successful save.

## Related

- [Settings overview](/docs/account/settings-overview): all six tabs at a glance
- [Account settings](/docs/account/personal-info): name, email, and password
- [Keyboard shortcuts](/docs/reference/keyboard-shortcuts): every shortcut, including X for codes