diff --git a/application/editormode.cpp b/application/editormode.cpp
index 5bdab443..3198308f 100644
--- a/application/editormode.cpp
+++ b/application/editormode.cpp
@@ -1462,6 +1462,16 @@ void editor_mode::render_settings()
 
             ImGui::Separator();
             ImGui::Checkbox(STR_C("Transform gizmo (ImGuizmo)"), &m_gizmo_enabled);
+
+            ImGui::Separator();
+            ImGui::TextUnformatted(STR_C("Colours of the editor"));
+            const char *palettes[] = {STR_C("Green, as the rest of the simulator"), STR_C("Amber, of the editor")};
+            int palette = std::clamp(EditorSettings.palette(), 0, 1);
+            if (ImGui::Combo("##palette", &palette, palettes, IM_ARRAYSIZE(palettes)))
+            {
+                EditorSettings.palette(palette);
+                EditorSettings.save();
+            }
             ImGui::EndTabItem();
         }
         ImGui::EndTabBar();
@@ -3655,6 +3665,15 @@ void editor_mode::render_array()
     ImGui::PopID();
 }
 
+void editor_mode::choose_edit_mode(nodebank_panel::edit_mode const Mode)
+{
+	// an edit mode is the field of work instead of the tracks, roads or terrain
+	m_track_window_open = false;
+	m_roadtool.window = false;
+	terrain_workspace(false);
+	ui()->set_mode(Mode);
+}
+
 void editor_mode::render_toolbar()
 {
 	// edit modes of the node bank, each of them takes the mouse over from the track window
@@ -3662,15 +3681,13 @@ void editor_mode::render_toolbar()
 	    {STR_C("Select"), nodebank_panel::MODIFY}, {STR_C("Insert"), nodebank_panel::ADD}, {STR_C("Brush"), nodebank_panel::BRUSH}, {STR_C("Area fill"), nodebank_panel::FILL}, {STR_C("Copy to bank"), nodebank_panel::COPY}};
 	// the fields of work: an edit mode, or the tracks, signals, vehicle, roads or terrain, one at a time
 	bool const workspace{m_roadtool.window || m_terrain_open};
-	for (auto const &mode : modes)
+	for (std::size_t index = 0; index < std::size(modes); ++index)
 	{
+		auto const &mode{modes[index]};
 		if (ImGui::MenuItem(mode.first, nullptr, false == workspace && ui()->mode() == mode.second))
-		{
-			m_track_window_open = false;
-			m_roadtool.window = false;
-			terrain_workspace(false);
-			ui()->set_mode(mode.second);
-		}
+			choose_edit_mode(mode.second);
+		if (ImGui::IsItemHovered())
+			ImGui::SetTooltip("%s (%d)", mode.first, static_cast<int>(index + 1));
 	}
 	ImGui::Separator();
 	bool const tracks{m_track_window_open && false == m_terrain_open};
@@ -4277,6 +4294,12 @@ void editor_mode::on_key(int const Key, int const Scancode, int const Action, in
         case GLFW_KEY_E: m_gizmo_op = gizmo_operation::scale; break;
         case GLFW_KEY_R: m_gizmo_local = !m_gizmo_local; break;
         case GLFW_KEY_B: handled = ui()->mode() != nodebank_panel::TRACK && bend_shortcut(); break;
+        // the edit modes in the order of the toolbar; in the track mode the digits typed as a value were taken already
+        case GLFW_KEY_1: choose_edit_mode(nodebank_panel::MODIFY); break;
+        case GLFW_KEY_2: choose_edit_mode(nodebank_panel::ADD); break;
+        case GLFW_KEY_3: choose_edit_mode(nodebank_panel::BRUSH); break;
+        case GLFW_KEY_4: choose_edit_mode(nodebank_panel::FILL); break;
+        case GLFW_KEY_5: choose_edit_mode(nodebank_panel::COPY); break;
         default: handled = false; break;
         }
         if (handled)
diff --git a/application/editormode.h b/application/editormode.h
index e8d99cae..7f72e006 100644
--- a/application/editormode.h
+++ b/application/editormode.h
@@ -430,6 +430,8 @@ class editor_mode : public application_mode, private editor_track::observer
 	void render_gizmo_options();
 	// edit modes, editor windows and gizmo settings in the toolbar under the menu
 	void render_toolbar();
+	// an edit mode of the node bank as the field of work, from the toolbar or its key (1-5)
+	void choose_edit_mode(nodebank_panel::edit_mode const Mode);
 	bool m_gizmo_enabled{true};                                  // master switch for the in-viewport gizmo
 	bool m_gizmo_using{false};                                   // tracks an ongoing drag, so a single undo snapshot is taken per drag
 	bool m_gizmo_local{false};                                   // manipulate in the object's local space instead of world space
diff --git a/application/editoruilayer.cpp b/application/editoruilayer.cpp
index 84a9c3c0..863f1b56 100644
--- a/application/editoruilayer.cpp
+++ b/application/editoruilayer.cpp
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ http://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/.
 #include "rendering/renderer.h"
 #include "utilities/translation.h"
 #include "imgui/imgui_internal.h"
+#include "editor/editorSettings.hpp"
 
 #include <cstdio>
 #include <limits>
@@ -962,28 +963,36 @@ void editor_ui::render_menu_contents()
 
 	ui_layer::render_menu_contents();
 
-	if (ImGui::BeginMenu(STR_C("Mode windows")))
-	{
-		if (ImGui::MenuItem(STR_C("Reset window layout")))
-			m_layoutreset = true;
-		std::vector<ImGuiDockNode *> pinned;
-		autohide_leaves(ImGui::DockBuilderGetNode(m_dockspace), pinned);
-		if (ImGui::MenuItem(pinned.empty() ? STR_C("Pin the docks back") : STR_C("Unpin all docks"), "Ctrl+Space", false, false == pinned.empty() || false == m_autohide.empty()))
-			toggle_docks();
-		ImGui::Separator();
-		ImGui::MenuItem(STR_C("Tool options"), nullptr, &m_tooloptionsopen);
-		ImGui::MenuItem(STR_C("Inspector"), nullptr, &m_inspectoropen);
-		ImGui::MenuItem(STR_C("Scene"), nullptr, &m_sceneopen);
-		ImGui::MenuItem(STR_C("Node bank"), nullptr, &m_nodebankpanel.is_open);
-		ImGui::MenuItem(STR_C("Layers"), nullptr, &m_layerspanel.is_open);
-		ImGui::MenuItem(STR_C("Include database"), nullptr, &m_includespanel.is_open);
-		ImGui::EndMenu();
-	}
-
 	if (m_menuoptions)
 		m_menuoptions();
 }
 
+// the windows of the editor and their layout, in the windows menu after the common ones (log, hierarchy, history, settings)
+void editor_ui::render_windows_menu()
+{
+	ImGui::Separator();
+	ImGui::MenuItem(STR_C("Tool options"), nullptr, &m_tooloptionsopen);
+	ImGui::MenuItem(STR_C("Inspector"), nullptr, &m_inspectoropen);
+	ImGui::MenuItem(STR_C("Scene"), nullptr, &m_sceneopen);
+	ImGui::MenuItem(STR_C("Node bank"), nullptr, &m_nodebankpanel.is_open);
+	if (ImGui::MenuItem(STR_C("Model sets")))
+		m_nodebankpanel.open_sets_window();
+	ImGui::MenuItem(STR_C("Layers"), nullptr, &m_layerspanel.is_open);
+	ImGui::MenuItem(STR_C("Include database"), nullptr, &m_includespanel.is_open);
+	ImGui::Separator();
+	if (ImGui::MenuItem(STR_C("Reset window layout")))
+		m_layoutreset = true;
+	std::vector<ImGuiDockNode *> pinned;
+	autohide_leaves(ImGui::DockBuilderGetNode(m_dockspace), pinned);
+	if (ImGui::MenuItem(pinned.empty() ? STR_C("Pin the docks back") : STR_C("Unpin all docks"), "Ctrl+Space", false, false == pinned.empty() || false == m_autohide.empty()))
+		toggle_docks();
+}
+
+int editor_ui::palette() const
+{
+	return EditorSettings.palette();
+}
+
 void editor_ui::set_file_actions(std::function<void()> Save, std::function<void()> Export)
 {
 	m_save = Save;
diff --git a/application/editoruilayer.h b/application/editoruilayer.h
index 2cc566b6..2ab2f8d4 100644
--- a/application/editoruilayer.h
+++ b/application/editoruilayer.h
@@ -150,6 +150,8 @@ class editor_ui : public ui_layer
 	void scene_rebuild();
 	void scene_row(std::size_t const Entry);
 	void render_menu_contents() override;
+	void render_windows_menu() override;
+	int palette() const override;
 	void render_dockspace() override;
 	void render_() override;
 	// docks the windows of the editor in their default places
diff --git a/application/uilayer.cpp b/application/uilayer.cpp
index b99a215b..84fe0906 100644
--- a/application/uilayer.cpp
+++ b/application/uilayer.cpp
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ GLFWwindow *ui_layer::m_keywindow{nullptr};
 ImGuiIO *ui_layer::m_imguiio{nullptr};
 GLint ui_layer::m_textureunit{GL_TEXTURE0};
 bool ui_layer::m_cursorvisible;
+int ui_layer::m_palette{0};
 ImFont *ui_layer::font_default{nullptr};
 ImFont *ui_layer::font_mono{nullptr};
 ImFont *ui_layer::font_loading{nullptr};
@@ -175,25 +176,28 @@ void create_viewport_window(ImGuiViewport *Viewport)
 }
 } // namespace
 
-void ui_layer::imgui_style()
+void ui_layer::imgui_colors(int const Palette)
 {
-	// palette shared with the MaSzyna starter: flat dark panels, thin borders, green accents
+	m_palette = Palette;
 	auto const rgb = [](int const Color, float const Alpha = 1.0f) {
 		return ImVec4(((Color >> 16) & 0xff) / 255.0f, ((Color >> 8) & 0xff) / 255.0f, (Color & 0xff) / 255.0f, Alpha);
 	};
-	int constexpr panel{0x1e2327}; // window background
-	int constexpr base{0x15171b}; // darker background, between panels
-	int constexpr header{0x2a3036}; // section headers, hovered items
-	int constexpr border{0x3a424a};
-	int constexpr field{0x121517}; // input fields, combos
-	int constexpr accent{0x177f00}; // selection, active elements
-	int constexpr accentbright{0x41c400}; // marks: checkmarks, active tab underline
-	int constexpr accentdim{0x164b0e};
+	auto const editor{Palette == 1};
+	// palette shared with the MaSzyna starter: flat dark panels, thin borders, green accents; the one of the editor
+	// has amber accents on cooler grey panels
+	int const panel{editor ? 0x1f2226 : 0x1e2327}; // window background
+	int const base{editor ? 0x1b1d21 : 0x15171b}; // darker background, between panels
+	int const header{editor ? 0x2c3036 : 0x2a3036}; // section headers, hovered items
+	int const border{editor ? 0x3a3f47 : 0x3a424a};
+	int const field{editor ? 0x15171a : 0x121517}; // input fields, combos
+	int const accent{editor ? 0xb07a1c : 0x177f00}; // selection, active elements
+	int const accentbright{editor ? 0xe5a73a : 0x41c400}; // marks: checkmarks, active tab underline
+	int const accentdim{editor ? 0x5a4319 : 0x164b0e};
 
 	ImVec4 *colors = ImGui::GetStyle().Colors;
 
-	colors[ImGuiCol_Text] = rgb(0xffffff);
-	colors[ImGuiCol_TextDisabled] = rgb(0xa0a0a2);
+	colors[ImGuiCol_Text] = rgb(editor ? 0xe6e8eb : 0xffffff);
+	colors[ImGuiCol_TextDisabled] = rgb(editor ? 0x8a929c : 0xa0a0a2);
 	colors[ImGuiCol_WindowBg] = rgb(panel, Global.UIBgOpacity); // ui.bg.opacity from config file
 	colors[ImGuiCol_ChildBg] = ImVec4(0.00f, 0.00f, 0.00f, 0.00f);
 	colors[ImGuiCol_PopupBg] = rgb(base, 0.98f);
@@ -244,6 +248,14 @@ void ui_layer::imgui_style()
 	colors[ImGuiCol_NavWindowingHighlight] = ImVec4(1.00f, 1.00f, 1.00f, 0.70f);
 	colors[ImGuiCol_NavWindowingDimBg] = ImVec4(0.80f, 0.80f, 0.80f, 0.20f);
 	colors[ImGuiCol_ModalWindowDimBg] = rgb(base, 0.60f);
+	// where a dragged window would be docked, and an empty dock node
+	colors[ImGuiCol_DockingPreview] = rgb(accentbright, 0.70f);
+	colors[ImGuiCol_DockingEmptyBg] = rgb(base);
+}
+
+void ui_layer::imgui_style()
+{
+	imgui_colors(0);
 
 	// flat, square elements with thin borders
 	auto &style = ImGui::GetStyle();
@@ -499,6 +511,9 @@ void ui_layer::render_internal()
 
 void ui_layer::begin_ui_frame()
 {
+	// the colours follow the ui of the mode drawn
+	if (palette() != m_palette)
+		imgui_colors(palette());
 	begin_ui_frame_internal();
 	render_dockspace();
 	m_dockspaceframe = ImGui::GetFrameCount();
@@ -688,6 +703,7 @@ void ui_layer::render_menu_contents()
 				editor_mode::set_settings_open(settings_open);
 			}
 		}
+		render_windows_menu();
 		ImGui::EndMenu();
 	}
 }
diff --git a/application/uilayer.h b/application/uilayer.h
index 96cd407b..dbd49f1f 100644
--- a/application/uilayer.h
+++ b/application/uilayer.h
@@ -78,6 +78,8 @@ public:
 	// methods
     static bool init( GLFWwindow *Window );
 	static void imgui_style();
+	// colours of the user interface: 0 the green ones shared with the starter, 1 the amber ones of the editor
+	static void imgui_colors(int const Palette);
 
     // assign texturing hardware unit
     static void set_unit( GLint const Textureunit ) { m_textureunit = GL_TEXTURE0 + Textureunit; }
@@ -137,6 +139,14 @@ protected:
     static bool m_cursorvisible;
 
    virtual void render_menu_contents();
+	// items of the windows menu which belong to the ui of a mode, after the common ones
+	virtual void render_windows_menu() {}
+	// colours this ui is drawn in, see imgui_colors()
+	virtual int palette() const
+	{
+		return 0;
+	}
+	static int m_palette; // colours set at the moment
    ui_log_panel m_logpanel { "Log", true };
 	bool m_suppress_menu = false; // if `true`, the menu at the top of the window will not be present
 	bool m_menu_always = false; // if `true`, the menu is shown all the time, not only when the mouse is at the top of the window
diff --git a/editor/editorSettings.cpp b/editor/editorSettings.cpp
index de62f90a..2fd580cc 100644
--- a/editor/editorSettings.cpp
+++ b/editor/editorSettings.cpp
@@ -100,6 +100,8 @@ bool editorSettings::load()
 			m_nodebank_previews = (value == "1");
 		else if (key == "nodebank_card")
 			parse(value, m_nodebank_card);
+		else if (key == "palette")
+			parse(value, m_palette);
 		else if (key.rfind(origin_prefix, 0) == 0)
 		{
 			// northing;easting
@@ -142,6 +144,7 @@ bool editorSettings::save()
 	stream << "signal_offset " << m_signal_offset << "\n";
 	stream << "nodebank_previews " << (m_nodebank_previews ? 1 : 0) << "\n";
 	stream << "nodebank_card " << m_nodebank_card << "\n";
+	stream << "palette " << m_palette << "\n";
 	stream << std::fixed << std::setprecision(3);
 	for (auto const &origin : m_orthophoto_origins)
 		stream << origin.first << " " << origin.second.first << ";" << origin.second.second << "\n";
diff --git a/editor/editorSettings.hpp b/editor/editorSettings.hpp
index 48b150f6..6a6dfa88 100644
--- a/editor/editorSettings.hpp
+++ b/editor/editorSettings.hpp
@@ -50,6 +50,10 @@ public:
 	int nodebank_card() const { return m_nodebank_card; }
 	void nodebank_card(int Size) { m_nodebank_card = Size; }
 
+	// colours of the editor: 1 amber, its own; 0 green, as the rest of the simulator
+	int palette() const { return m_palette; }
+	void palette(int Palette) { m_palette = Palette; }
+
 private:
 	movement_scheme m_movement{movement_scheme::wsad};
 	orthophoto_settings m_orthophoto;
@@ -58,6 +62,7 @@ private:
 	double m_signal_offset{2.25};
 	bool m_nodebank_previews{true};
 	int m_nodebank_card{96};
+	int m_palette{1};
 };
 
 // global editor settings instance
diff --git a/lang/editor_pl.po b/lang/editor_pl.po
index 26e086a9..b03aa410 100644
--- a/lang/editor_pl.po
+++ b/lang/editor_pl.po
@@ -4674,3 +4674,12 @@ msgstr "to nie model"
 
 msgid "no preview"
 msgstr "brak podglądu"
+
+msgid "Colours of the editor"
+msgstr "Kolory edytora"
+
+msgid "Green, as the rest of the simulator"
+msgstr "Zielone, jak reszta symulatora"
+
+msgid "Amber, of the editor"
+msgstr "Bursztynowe, edytora"