Create a WordPress Child Theme

Why use a child theme

1. Safe updates. The parent theme can update without wiping out your changes.
2. Flexibility. You get a safe space to test and change code.
3. Order. Your edits stay apart from the original theme.

A child theme inherits the look and function of its parent. It holds only the files you change.

Method 1: Make it by hand

1. Open wp-content/themes with FTP or File Manager. Create a new folder, such as twentytwentyfour-child.
2. In the new folder, create style.css:

/*
Theme Name: Your Child Theme Name
Theme URI: https://example.com/
Author: Your Name
Author URI: https://example.com/
Template: parent-theme-slug
Version: 1.0.0
Description: A child theme for the parent theme.
*/

Replace parent-theme-slug with the folder name of the parent theme.

1. In the same folder, create functions.php:

<?php
add_action( 'wp_enqueue_scripts', 'enqueue_child_theme_styles' );
function enqueue_child_theme_styles() {
    wp_enqueue_style( 'parent-style', get_template_directory_uri() . '/style.css' );
    wp_enqueue_style( 'child-style', get_stylesheet_directory_uri() . '/style.css', array( 'parent-style' ) );
}

1. Go to Appearance, then Themes. Activate your child theme.

Method 2: Use a plugin

Plugins such as Child Theme Configurator or Create Block Theme make the files for you.

Example with Create Block Theme:

1. Go to Plugins, then Add New. Install and activate Create Block Theme.

   

2. Go to Appearance, then Create Block Theme. The plugin lets you create a blank theme, a copy of the active theme, a child theme of the active theme, or a new style variation. Choose Create child theme.

   

3. Fill in the theme name and the other details.

   

4. Scroll down, choose the settings to copy from the parent theme and generate the child theme.

   

Customize your child theme

• style.css. Add CSS rules that override the parent theme.
• Template files. Copy a file such as header.php or footer.php from the parent into the child folder and edit the copy. WordPress uses the child file first.

Good to know

• Use version control, such as Git, to track your changes.
• Test on a staging site before you change the live site.
• Keep your child theme updated, and be careful with the code.

When you do not need one

• You want only a few small style changes. The Additional CSS box in the Customizer is enough.
• You are not comfortable with code. A mistake can break the site.

Quick recap

• A child theme needs a folder, style.css and functions.php.
• Activate it, then edit the child files and not the parent.
• A plugin can generate it for you.