diff --git a/packages/cli/src/templates/blank.test.ts b/packages/cli/src/templates/blank.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d9ac0d6d9c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/cli/src/templates/blank.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+import { readFileSync } from "node:fs";
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+
+describe("blank template", () => {
+  it("starts on a black frame", () => {
+    const html = readFileSync(new URL("./blank/index.html", import.meta.url), "utf8");
+    expect(html).toMatch(/--ground:\s*#000;/);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/templates/blank/index.html b/packages/cli/src/templates/blank/index.html
index 4d400e37b8..ce4c9b4ffe 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/templates/blank/index.html
+++ b/packages/cli/src/templates/blank/index.html
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
     <style>
       /* Placeholders: replace all three with the film's own palette and display face. */
       :root {
-        --ground: #6b6b6b;
+        --ground: #000;
         --ink: #ffffff;
         --font-display: sans-serif;
       }