diff --git a/scripts/codemap.py b/scripts/codemap.py
index 2e23578a..d026a4c9 100755
--- a/scripts/codemap.py
+++ b/scripts/codemap.py
@@ -32,7 +32,14 @@ except ModuleNotFoundError:
 
 # we don't actually need that many chars/colors thanks to the
 # 4-colorability of all 2d maps
-COLORS = ['34', '31', '32', '35', '33', '36']
+COLORS = [
+    '34', # blue
+    '31', # red
+    '32', # green
+    '35', # purple
+    '33', # yellow
+    '36', # cyan
+]
 
 CHARS_DOTS = " .':"
 CHARS_BRAILLE = (
diff --git a/scripts/dbgbmap.py b/scripts/dbgbmap.py
index 45fc6ff9..ceaea35b 100755
--- a/scripts/dbgbmap.py
+++ b/scripts/dbgbmap.py
@@ -85,12 +85,12 @@ CHARS = {
     'unused':   '-',
 }
 COLORS = {
-    'mdir':     '33',
-    'btree':    '34',
-    'data':     '32',
-    'corrupt':  '31',
-    'conflict': '30;41',
-    'unused':   '1;30',
+    'mdir':     '33',    # yellow
+    'btree':    '34',    # blue
+    'data':     '32',    # green
+    'corrupt':  '31',    # red
+    'conflict': '30;41', # background red
+    'unused':   '1;30',  # bold gray
 }
 
 # give more interesting objects a higher priority
diff --git a/scripts/treemap.py b/scripts/treemap.py
index b4250236..07a62067 100755
--- a/scripts/treemap.py
+++ b/scripts/treemap.py
@@ -28,7 +28,14 @@ except ModuleNotFoundError:
 
 # we don't actually need that many chars/colors thanks to the
 # 4-colorability of all 2d maps
-COLORS = ['34', '31', '32', '35', '33', '36']
+COLORS = [
+    '34', # blue
+    '31', # red
+    '32', # green
+    '35', # purple
+    '33', # yellow
+    '36', # cyan
+]
 
 CHARS_DOTS = " .':"
 CHARS_BRAILLE = (