Taris existed as a polluted planet of urban sprawl, situated within the Outer Rim Territories. Despite its status as a densely inhabited ecumenopolis, Taris's surface was significantly marred by pollution, featuring the debris of shattered starships and thick, sprawling swamps. Makeshift dwellings, constructed from repurposed shipping containers and the wreckage of starships, were piled haphazardly, while yellow smog permeated the atmosphere. Conversely, the planet's elite resided in more upscale skyscrapers.
As an ecumenopolis, Taris showcased a remarkable diversity, encompassing both expansive urban areas and desolate wastelands. The affluent and middle classes congregated on one side of the planet. The wealthy lived in colossal towers, protected by their own security forces, while the middle class populated the surrounding cities. In stark contrast, the less fortunate endured squalid conditions in wastelands like the former Talinn district. Decaying urban infrastructure, wrecked starships, and discarded shipping containers characterized the Talinn district. Furthermore, the area was overrun with three-fingered vines and slick fungus. The color purple held significance as a traditional color associated with administration on Taris.
Sometime in galactic history, Taris experienced a devastation of some kind, which led to the surface being scattered with ships, widespread destruction of buildings, and significant pollution of the atmosphere. Although the city retained its importance as a major urban world, many of its inhabitants were forced to live in improvised shelters, often made from repurposed shipping containers.
During the Clone Wars, Kin Robb served as the Senator representing Taris in the Galactic Senate. As the war neared its end, Admiral Wullf Yularen received intelligence suggesting that Count Dooku's new second-in-command, "Admiral Enigma" (the fallen Jedi Master Quinlan Vos), planned to assault Taris using his Providence-class Dreadnought. Consequently, the Jedi High Council sanctioned a mission aimed at rescuing Vos from Separatist captivity.
A mere five years after the founding of the Galactic Empire, a vessel executed a brief hyperspace jump to Taris before swiftly departing the system for Thustra. Subsequently, the ship met with a group of rebels who had commandeered Moff Wilhuff Tarkin's vessel, the Carrion Spike. Around the time of the Battle of Scarif, Tynnra Pamlo represented Taris in the Imperial Senate.
During the months following the Battle of Endor, a group of dark side devotees known as the Acolytes of the Beyond acquired the supposed lightsaber of the late Darth Vader, intending to destroy it and return it to its master in death. In 5 ABY, New Republic operatives Norra Wexley, Sinjir Rath Velus, and Jas Emari set a trap on Taris's wasteland, luring the bounty hunter Mercurial Swift. They interrogated him to gain information about Grand Admiral Rae Sloane before releasing him. Consequently, Swift sought to collect a bounty placed on Emari's head.
Three decades after the Battle of Endor, Andrithal Robb-Voti represented Taris in the New Republic Senate on Hosnian Prime.
Taris received its first canonically mention in the 2014 novel Tarkin by James Luceno, and made its debut appearance in the 2015 novel Aftermath, authored by Chuck Wendig. In the Star Wars Legends continuity, Taris was conceived for and first featured in the 2003 video game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, a role-playing game.
A preview of The High Republic Adventures (2021) 1, included in The High Republic Free Digital Sampler, showcased Taris highlighted on a galaxy map. In the final comic, other worlds were highlighted instead.