Module Overview
This module focuses on custom WordPress theme development. You'll learn how to create themes from scratch, understand the WordPress template hierarchy in depth, and implement advanced theming techniques. By the end of this module, you'll be able to build professional, custom WordPress themes that meet specific design and functionality requirements.
Duration: 2 weeks (10 sessions of 3 hours each)
Prerequisites: Modules 1-4: Web Fundamentals, PHP, MySQL, and WordPress Fundamentals
Week 1: Theme Fundamentals and Structure
Session 1: Theme Development Introduction
- WordPress theme architecture overview
- Theme requirements and standards
- Theme development environment setup
- Creating a basic theme structure
- Required files (style.css, index.php)
- Theme metadata
- Theme screenshot
- Theme testing and validation
- Homework: Create a minimal WordPress theme with required files
Session 2: WordPress Template Hierarchy
- Template hierarchy in depth
- Main template files:
- index.php
- header.php and footer.php
- sidebar.php
- single.php and page.php
- archive.php and category.php
- search.php and 404.php
- Template parts and includes
- get_template_part() function
- Homework: Expand your theme with template files following the hierarchy
Session 3: The Loop and WordPress Content
Session 4: Theme Functions and hooks
- Understanding functions.php
- Theme setup functions
- Enqueuing styles and scripts
- WordPress action hooks
- wp_head and wp_footer
- init and after_setup_theme
- wp_enqueue_scripts
- WordPress filter hooks
- Creating custom hooks
- Homework: Implement theme support features and create custom hooks
Week 2: Advanced Theme Development
Session 6: Navigation and Widgets
Session 7: Custom Post Types and Taxonomies
Session 8: Theme Assets and Frontend
Session 9: Advanced Theme Features
Learning Resources
Required Materials
- Local WordPress development environment
- GitHub account for version control
- Text editor (VS Code recommended)
- Image editor for graphics
Recommended Reading
- Professional WordPress Theme Design and Development by Brad Williams and David Damstra
- WordPress Theme Development Beginner's Guide by Rachel McCollin and Tessa Blakeley Silver
- Online resources: WordPress Theme Handbook, WordPress Codex