Modifying your theme

This repository provides a starter child theme created mainly for WebMan Design WordPress themes. Child themes provide ways to modify your (parent) theme without losing your modifications when the (parent) theme is updated.

Alternatively (maybe even preferably), you can use a Child Theme Plugin instead, which provides you with more flexibility, is easier to use, and you don't need to switch themes.

Both of these solutions also work with block themes (FSE, full site editing themes).

User only one of the solutions, not both!

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Using a child theme

Download

You can download the installable child theme ZIP package (the child-theme.zip file) directly from this repository.

Read the instructions below for proper setup before installing!

Setting up the child theme

1. Unzip the child-theme.zip file on your computer.
2. Rename the child-theme folder to your needs.
   Example: rename the folder to my-website-theme
3. Open the style.css file and change the following:
   • Theme Name: Child Theme - change Child Theme to your desired child theme name.
     Example: set this to Theme Name: My Website Theme
   • Template: theme-slug - change theme-slug to the desired parent theme folder name.
     Example: if you are using Michelle WordPress theme as parent, set this to Template: michelle
4. Optional: You can modify your child theme screenshot image too, a sample source SVG is also provided.
5. Add any custom CSS styles into style.css file and/or any custom PHP code into functions.php file.
6. Now upload your modified child theme via FTP to YOUR_WORDPRESS_FOLDER/wp-content/themes/ folder. (Or ZIP your child theme and upload it via WordPress dashboard.)
7. In your WordPress dashboard navigate to Appearance → Themes and activate your child theme.

Modifying parent theme functionality

With child themes you can override whole parent theme files. Just copy them into your child theme (keeping the sub-folders structure) and edit the files there.

However, in most cases this is not required and there is a better approach with WebMan Design WordPress themes. They provide a lot of action and filter hooks so you don't have to override any file as whole. Simply use the hook to modify a specific section or behavior.

Overriding whole files makes it difficult to maintain your child theme as you will need to keep up with the parent theme file updates too.

For tips on the best approach for your advanced modifications ask at WebMan Design support forum.

Additional information

• WordPress info about child themes
• Child Theme Check plugin (and how does it work?)
• Child themes in era of full site editing

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Using a child theme plugin

Download

You can download the installable child theme plugin ZIP package (the child-theme-plugin.zip file) directly from this repository.

Read the instructions below for proper setup before installing!

Setting up the child theme plugin

1. Install the child-theme-plugin.zip file via your WordPress dashboard (Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin → Choose File → Install Now).
2. Activate the plugin.
3. Now you can use the plugin's functions.php file to add your custom PHP code, and plugin's style.css file to add your custom CSS code. (You can do this on your server using FTP, for example. The plugin files are located in YOUR_WORDPRESS_FOLDER/wp-content/plugins/child-theme-plugin folder.)

Modifying active theme functionality

WebMan Design WordPress themes provide a lot of action and filter hooks you can use to override any theme functionality. Ask at WebMan Design support forum for tips on what hooks you need to target, if needed.