{"id":33538,"date":"2024-02-12T07:00:09","date_gmt":"2024-02-12T15:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dhblog.dream.press\/blog\/?p=33538"},"modified":"2025-05-21T16:31:23","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T23:31:23","slug":"how-to-create-wordpress-child-theme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www-dev.dreamhost.com\/blog\/how-to-create-wordpress-child-theme\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Create a WordPress Child Theme"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When you have specific requirements, selecting a WordPress theme<\/a> is no easy task. Your choice needs to look the part and provide all the functions you need \u2014 Some compromise is almost inevitable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Customizing<\/a> your chosen theme is one way to get around this issue. However, WordPress themes need to be updated periodically. When the developer of your theme releases a new version, all your customizations could be reset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The solution?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Create a WordPress child theme that inherits the original theme’s functionality but maintains your styling. Even if you apply a theme update, your customized child theme will remain intact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this post, we’re going to take a closer look at WordPress child themes \u2014 from why you need one to how to create your own. Let’s dive in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is A Child Theme?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Child Theme<\/h3>\n

A \u2018child theme\u2019 is a WordPress theme with the same appearance and functionality as its \u2018parent theme\u2019. However, you can customize its files separately from its parent theme\u2019s files.<\/p>\n \n Read More <\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

WordPress allows you to make a lightweight copy of any theme for the sake of customization. The original theme becomes the parent theme, and the copy is known as a child theme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The child is dependent on the parent, drawing on the functions and design of the original theme. When the parent theme receives an update, so does the child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But much like a teenager, the child theme does have some independence. When you customize the child theme, the changes are applied on top of the original parent theme. Those additions remain, even when the parent theme is updated or changed in some other way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s also worth noting that customizations to your child theme don’t affect the parent theme. In fact, they are stored separately. This means you have freedom to experiment, without worrying about breaking the underlying code. You can even delete your child theme completely, and it will have no effect on the original parent theme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using a child theme makes it easier to maintain and update your site. It will also help you avoid the risk of editing the parent theme directly, which could be overwritten and lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Differences Between Child And Parent Themes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Parent Theme<\/h3>\n

When working with WordPress child themes, there\u2019s always a parent theme. It\u2019s the theme that the child inherits its style and functionality from. Any changes to the child theme won\u2019t impact the parent\u2019s code.<\/p>\n \n Read More <\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

There are several technical differences between a parent theme and a child theme. For example, a parent theme folder typically includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n