Created a Child Theme for an Already Developed Site, Now What?

  • Resolved RaylaDevine

    (@rayladevine)


    10 years, 4 months ago

    I just started working for a site that has been live (I don’t know the correct terminology) since July. I know nothing about code, so I’ve been pretty much teaching myself how to better style to site. I came across child themes yesterday and was able to successfully make one this morning. Now what?

    All the changes they made to to site, they made on the parent theme. So, I’m thinking I’m going to have to take the files from the parent theme and put them on the child theme, but how do I do this correctly? Do I copy and paste? Do I need to bring everything to the child theme or do I need only the function.php?

    I’ve been following the directions on this page: http://codex.wordpress.org/Child_Themes, but I’m not sure if it is as easy as copy and paste to move stuff from the parent to the child. Thank you!

    My site: gigageekmagazine.com

Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
  • WPyogi

    (@wpyogi)

    10 years, 4 months ago

    For .php files EXCEPT functions.php, you can move copies to the child theme folder.

    For style.css, you should find your changes (a file comparison program is helpful) and move only the changes to the child theme style.css file.

    For functions.php, it depends on the theme and what you have changed. You should ask in the theme’s own specific forum if you need help with that.

    Thread Starter RaylaDevine

    (@rayladevine)

    10 years, 4 months ago

    Thank you so much! So, do I re-create the the other .php files (like I did for the style.css file in the file manager when making the child theme), then copy and paste the information?

    WPyogi

    (@wpyogi)

    10 years, 4 months ago

    I would just download the parent theme files and then reupload a copy to the child theme – less chances of empty white spaces at the top of files which can cause problems.

    Thread Starter RaylaDevine

    (@rayladevine)

    10 years, 4 months ago

    Thank you so much, WPyogi! I really appreciate it!

    Thread Starter RaylaDevine

    (@rayladevine)

    10 years, 4 months ago

    Now that I think about it, the owner of the site doesn’t know coding. He used plugins to make changes and didn’t touch the editor. So, do I still need to copy and move the files to the child theme or do I need to move only the functions.php file?

    WPyogi

    (@wpyogi)

    10 years, 4 months ago

    If theme files were not changed, then you don’t need to move any files – except creating the new style.css file. Don’t ever copy a functions.php file from a parent – it will crash the site.

    Thread Starter RaylaDevine

    (@rayladevine)

    10 years, 4 months ago

    Since the owner never added or changed any of the codes, do I still need to figure out a way to add a functions.php to the child theme?

    WPyogi

    (@wpyogi)

    10 years, 4 months ago

    No.

    Thread Starter RaylaDevine

    (@rayladevine)

    10 years, 4 months ago

    Awesome! Thank you!

Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
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