Title: Proper Functions.php Setup….?
Last modified: August 21, 2016

---

# Proper Functions.php Setup….?

 *  [op1001](https://wordpress.org/support/users/op1001/)
 * (@op1001)
 * [12 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/proper-functionsphp-setup/)
 * Just a question… I have been looking at several templates like the BONES… and
   _underscore etc. and everyone has a different method of setting up a function
   file..
 * The bones one really confuses me as it removes a whole bunch of stuff and adds
   things
 * is there a specific way to actually setup a proper functions file?
 * Right now I have a function file with things just added in there like this
 *     ```
       <?php
       // Register Sidebar
       function  my_custom_sides()  {
       	register_sidebar ( array(
       		'id'            => 'top-sidebar',
       		'name'          => __( 'Top Side' ),
       		'description' => __( 'Appears when using the optional Front Page template with a page set as Static Front Page', 'twentytwelve' ),
       		'before_title'  => '<h2 class="widgettitle">',
       		'after_title'   => '</h2>',
       		'before_widget' => '<li id="%1$s" class="widget %2$s">',
       		'after_widget'  => '</li>',
       	));
   
       }
   
       add_action( 'widgets_init', 'my_custom_sides' );
       ?>
       ```
   
 * but I have read that a proper format is adding this?
 *     ```
       if ( ! function_exists( '_optz_setup' ) ) :
   
       function _optz_setup() {
       	load_theme_textdomain( '_optz', get_template_directory() . '/languages' );
   
       	add_theme_support( 'automatic-feed-links' );
       	register_nav_menus( array(
       		'primary' => __( 'Primary Menu', '_optz' ),
       	) );
   
       	add_theme_support( 'post-formats', array( 'aside', 'image', 'video', 'quote', 'link' ) );
       }
       endif; // _optz_setup
       add_action( 'after_setup_theme', '_optz_setup' );
       ```
   
 * Is it necessary to add the setup and after_setup_theme code? can’t i just put
   in a few things I want the theme to do and call it a day 😀
 * or do i have to put all my side bars etc in between there?

Viewing 1 replies (of 1 total)

 *  [esmi](https://wordpress.org/support/users/esmi/)
 * (@esmi)
 * [12 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/proper-functionsphp-setup/#post-3875541)
 * > is there a specific way to actually setup a proper functions file?
 * Not as such. It depends upon what your theme needs. But there are definitely 
   [best practice recommendations](http://codex.wordpress.org/Theme_Review) that
   you could use as a starting point – especially if you are thinking of removing
   core functionality. The general rule of thumb is “don’t”.
 * > I have read that a proper format is adding this?
 * The second code example is doing something very different from the first and,
   as such, both are correct.
 * > Is it necessary to add the setup and after_setup_theme code?
 * Not for everything, no. Again, it depends what you’re doing.

Viewing 1 replies (of 1 total)

The topic ‘Proper Functions.php Setup….?’ is closed to new replies.

 * In: [Fixing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/how-to-and-troubleshooting/)
 * 1 reply
 * 2 participants
 * Last reply from: [esmi](https://wordpress.org/support/users/esmi/)
 * Last activity: [12 years, 10 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/proper-functionsphp-setup/#post-3875541)
 * Status: not resolved

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