So creating themes tends to be something that not everyone understands and the following guides will start to unlock the secrets of how to do it. However there are a few things that are required in order to understand and be successful at creating a theme (or even editing one).
- Basic understanding of HTML.
- Basic understanding of CSS.
- You must have a code inspector.
- You must prepare to be frustrated.
- You must be able to endure through those frustrations.
So the first two are just staple things that I have to throw out there but I'm going to elaborate... I don't recommend using the "template" way of coding in a theme. By this I don't recommend that you half code. Many templates allow for you to use a <p> without closing it off. If you don't close off an element you could destroy the entirety of your theme in one save. This guide is not meant to teach you either of these elements and will assume you know them already.
What is a code inspector you ask!? Well When you right click on a web page there is an option to "Inspect Element" in most modern browsers. What this will do is open a new window and highlight the line of code that coordinates with this item. This is something that isn't technically "required" but it will make your life easier and I will likely reference using it constantly. Jcink has elements throughout the code that you are unable to change and a code inspector will be the only way to identify them.
Frustration is unfortunately a staple in creating a theme. A question you will ask yourself a lot "Well in the hell isn't this working?" and it takes time and patience to sometimes figure it out because not all errors or issues are readily apparent.
Key Tip: If you don't know how to do something in HTML or CSS Google is your best friend.
Key Tip 2: Don't know HTML/CSS feel free to join us in learning by asking questions here.
Edited by Morrigan