August 21, 2024 — Do you or a client have a site using a classic theme? You may want to consider adding a theme.json file. Your project’s budget or lack of time might be preventing you from tackling a complete conversion of your classic theme to a block theme. By adding a theme.json file, you can simplify and streamline your Editor’s options and you will quickly see the benefits.

You might be looking to gain control of global settings and styles so you can create less overwhelm and confusion with too many user options in the Editor. For example, you could choose to remove the ability to select custom colors or the default color palette from WordPress core. Or, you may want to create a website with more consistent visual elements and maintain branding. For example, you could choose to disable color support for the heading block.

With this workshop, we will take a classic theme and walk you through the process of adding a theme.json file. We will also take a brief look at the current theme.json file that ships with WordPress core. At the end, we’ll have an open discussion on converting classic themes to either hybrid or block themes.

Presentation Slides »

July 26, 2024 — This lesson explores the possibilities of converting a classic theme into a hybrid theme or a complete block theme. With this lesson, you will: describe the various requirements of converting a classic theme, differentiate between a hybrid theme and a block theme and list the steps to take in order to convert a classic theme into a block theme.

July 26, 2024 — This lesson explores the option of adding theme.json to a classic theme. With this lesson, you will list the benefits of having theme.json added to a classic theme and describe the process of adding theme.json to a classic theme.

July 26, 2024 — This lesson explores the Customize API to add options to a theme. With this lesson, you will: describe the Customize API otherwise known as the Customizer, list examples of how the Customizer is used in a theme, and register theme options using the Customizer.

July 26, 2024 — This lesson dives into the mechanism WordPress uses to output posts on a page. With this lesson, you will: describe how the Loop is used within a theme, list some examples of what the Loop can display, and explore displaying data from Custom Post Types and Custom Fields.

July 26, 2024 — We take a close look at how classic themes are built. With this lesson, we will: differentiate between classic and block themes, list and describe the typical files included in a classic theme, and organize your theme files.

July 24, 2024 — We dive into extending registered blocks and create alternate versions of a block’s settings. With this lesson, we will: describe block variations, differentiate between block variations and block styles, add the JavaScript file to your theme, and register a block variation.

July 24, 2024 — We will explore creating block stylesheets without using the theme.json file. With this lesson, you will describe a block stylesheet and create a custom block stylesheet.

July 24, 2024 — We will take a look at creating and using block style variations. With this lesson, you will: describe block style variations and explain how to include them in your theme, register your new block style using either PHP or JavaScript, and customize core WordPress block styles using the theme.json file.

July 17, 2024 — With this lesson, you will: describe how to enqueue styles and scripts, include CSS in your theme either using stylesheets or inline styles, include JavaScript in your theme by either using an external file or inline JavaScript, include images in your theme, and include fonts in your theme.