Child Theme
A WordPress child theme enables you to implement custom code changes on your site without risking them being overwritten when you update the parent theme. Savior fully supports child themes, and we’ve included a basic child theme in the download package with essential files. If you plan to customize any code, we strongly recommend doing so within the child theme to ensure that your modifications remain intact across theme updates. You can learn more about child themes here.
SUPPORT POLICY ON CHILD THEMES: While child themes are an excellent method for implementing custom changes in Savior, they are typically used for modifying core code within the parent theme. Please note that customizations of this nature are beyond the scope of our support, and we may not be able to assist with issues that arise from them. For guidance on creating and managing child themes, we recommend referring to WordPress documentation or consulting with a developer.
What Is A Child Theme?
A child theme serves as a duplicate of another theme, typically referred to as the parent theme – in our context, Savior. It’s designed to replicate all functionalities and design elements while offering a safe avenue for making modifications. This approach is crucial because it ensures that any custom changes made to the theme, such as CSS tweaks, template file adjustments, or custom PHP functions and hooks, remain intact even after updates to the parent theme. By using a child theme, developers can confidently enhance the theme’s capabilities without the risk of losing their modifications when the main theme is updated. This method not only maintains the integrity of custom code but also ensures that the website’s design and functionality remain stable and consistent over time.
However, it’s important to note that while child themes provide robust protection for customizations, they don’t entirely eliminate the need for ongoing maintenance. Updates to custom code within the parent theme may still require adjustments within the child theme to maintain compatibility and functionality. Additionally, copying files directly from the parent theme to the child theme can complicate updates, as changes made to these files in the parent theme won’t automatically carry over to the child theme. Therefore, careful management and regular review of customizations in both the parent and child themes are essential practices to ensure a seamless and sustainable development process.