Are you utilizing a block theme and seeing the theme.json file in WordPress? Possibly you might be questioning what the aim of this file is and whether or not it’s best to edit it.
The theme.json file is an important a part of the complete web site enhancing expertise in WordPress. As block themes turn into extra widespread, it’s vital to grasp what theme.json does and how you can edit it correctly.
That’s why we at WPBeginner have put collectively this complete information. On this article, we are going to clarify what a theme.json file is and the way you should use it to customise your WordPress web site.
What Is the WordPress theme.json File?
The theme.json file is a particular theme file launched in WordPress 5.8. It performs a key position within the full web site enhancing (FSE) expertise, which lets you visually customise each facet of your WordPress block theme.
Basically, the theme.json file acts as a blueprint that controls the styling and performance of your block theme. It comprises code that tells WordPress how completely different parts like colours, typography, layouts, and templates ought to look and behave.
Why Do WordPress Block Themes Want a theme.json File?
Modifying a block theme in WordPress is completely different from enhancing a basic theme.
Basic themes use the features.php file to allow options like customized menus or featured photographs with the add_theme_support()
operate. Then, you possibly can type these options with CSS guidelines within the CSS stylesheet (type.css) file.
In block themes, theme.json acts as a central hub for the whole lot that defines the feel and appear of your block theme. It permits you to outline issues like fonts, colours, and format choices in a single place, changing the necessity for add_theme_support()
in features.php.
That’s why the features.php file in block themes is commonly smaller than the equal in basic themes.
Having a devoted theme.json file provides some nice advantages over the earlier basic theme system.
First, theme.json works hand-in-hand with the WordPress full web site editor. This lets you simply customise your theme’s kinds and settings immediately inside the editor without having to the touch any code.
Moreover, theme.json goals to create a constant expertise for each builders and customers. Some customers discover it actually irritating when they should change themes as a result of they should be taught utterly new layouts and styling choices.
With theme.json, switching themes turns into a smoother course of as a result of the whole lot is organized in an identical means.
Lastly, through the use of theme.json, theme builders and customers can future-proof their work as WordPress continues to develop its full web site enhancing capabilities.
Now that we’ve lined what a theme.json file is, let’s delve deeper into the subject. You should use the fast hyperlinks beneath to navigate by this information:
The place Do You Discover the WordPress theme.json File?
The theme.json file is discovered inside your theme listing in your internet server. The standard file path can be public_html » wp-content » themes » your-theme-name » theme.json.
To entry it, you first want to connect with your web site through FTP or your internet hosting account’s file supervisor.
For those who use Bluehost, then you possibly can log in and swap to the ‘Web sites’ tab. Then, click on on the ‘Settings’ button beneath your web site.
Now, ensure that to remain on the ‘Overview’ tab.
Then, scroll all the way down to click on on the ‘File Supervisor’ button.
Once you open the file supervisor this fashion, you’ll mechanically be inside your web site’s root folder.
Right here, search for the ‘wp-content’ listing and open it. There, you’ll discover the ‘themes’ folder which comprises all of your put in WordPress themes.
Open the folder for the precise block theme you’re utilizing. The theme.json file will likely be positioned immediately inside this theme listing alongside different theme recordsdata.
After you have discovered it, you possibly can view the theme.json file utilizing a code editor.
What Does the theme.json File Look Like?
The theme.json file has a selected construction that organizes all the worldwide settings in your WordPress block theme.
Relying on how advanced or easy your theme appears, the file will be very quick or lengthy. Nonetheless, you possibly can simply break this file down into 7 top-level sections:
{
"$schema": "https://schemas.wp.org/trunk/theme.json",
"model": 2,
"settings": {},
"kinds": {},
"customTemplates": {},
"templateParts": {},
"patterns": []
}
Right here’s a simplified breakdown:
Schema
This half is definitely optionally available to have in block themes, so chances are you’ll or might not see it in yours.
The schema property hyperlinks the URL to the WordPress JSON schema, which defines the worldwide settings, kinds, and different configurations in your theme.
Model
This part specifies which API model of the theme.json format is being utilized by the file and ensures it follows the right construction.
As of the writing of this text, the API is at model 2.
Settings
This property defines the choices and controls out there for customers to customise their theme. These embrace presets for the theme’s colour palette, typography, spacing, gradients, shadows, borders, and so forth.
Right here’s a quite simple instance of what the settings property appears like:
{
"settings": {
"colour": {
"palette": [
{
"slug": "base",
"color": "#ffffff",
"name": "White"
},
{
"slug": "contrast",
"color": "#222222",
"name": "Dark"
},
{
"slug": "accent",
"color": "#f08080",
"name": "Pink"
},
{
"slug": "accent-2",
"color": "#90ee90",
"name": "Light Green"
},
{
"slug": "accent-3",
"color": "#e0ffff",
"name": "Light Blue"
}
]
},
"typography": {
"fontFamilies": [
{
"fontFamily": "Open Sans, sans-serif",
"slug": "open-sans",
"name": "Open Sans"
},
{
"fontFamily": "Arial, sans-serif",
"slug": "arial",
"name": "Arial"
},
{
"fontFamily": "Times New Roman, serif",
"slug": "times-new-roman",
"name": "Times New Roman"
}
],
"fontSizes": [
{
"name": "Extra Small",
"slug": "xx-small",
"size": "0.75rem"
},
{
"name": "Small",
"slug": "small",
"size": "0.875rem"
},
{
"name": "Medium",
"slug": "medium",
"size": "1rem"
},
{
"name": "Large",
"slug": "large",
"size": "1.125rem"
},
{
"name": "Extra Large",
"slug": "x-large",
"size": "1.25rem"
},
{
"name": "XX-Large",
"slug": "xx-large",
"size": "1.5rem"
}
],
"spacing": {
"models": ["rem"],
"values": {
"small": "1rem",
"medium": "1.5rem",
"giant": "2rem"
}
}
}
}
}
For those who have a look at the code, the language used is fairly simple to grasp. You may inform that the settings are defining the colours, font households, font sizes, and spacing used within the theme.
If there are any references right here or in your theme that you simply don’t perceive, you possibly can take a look at the official WordPress Settings Reference.
Some parts, like colours and font households, have slugs, like this:
{
"settings": {
"colour": {
"palette": [
{
"slug": "base",
"color": "#ffffff",
"name": "White"
},
These will come in handy for the styles section later on to make presets, which we will explain in the next part.
Styles
While the settings section defines the theme’s default customization options, the styles section applies them to the theme.
Here, you can apply the customization settings to the entire website or at a block level using presets.
Let’s check out the example below:
{
"settings": {
// Existing settings from the previous example
},
"styles": {
"color": {
"background": "var(--wp--preset--color--base)",
"text": "var(--wp--preset--color--contrast)"
},
"elements": {
"link": {
"color": {
"text": "var(--wp--preset--color--accent-2)"
}
},
"h1": {
"fontSize": "var(--wp--preset--font-size--xx-large)",
"lineHeight": "1.2",
"marginBottom": "1rem"
},
"h2": {
"fontSize": "var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large)",
"lineHeight": "1.2",
"marginBottom": "1rem"
},
"h3": {
"fontSize": "var(--wp--preset--font-size--large)",
"lineHeight": "1.2",
"marginBottom": "1rem"
}
}
}
}
As you can tell, there is this line of code appearing throughout this snippet: var(--wp--preset--xxx)
. These are presets, which are shortcuts in the styles section that refer back to the values defined in the settings section.
For example, consider {"slug": "base", "color": "#ffffff", "name": "White"}
in the settings section. Here, "base"
is the slug, and the corresponding preset for this color is var(--wp--preset--color--base)
.
Therefore, the code "color": {"background": "var(--wp--preset--color--base)"
in styles says that the background color of this theme is white.
Custom Templates
Block theme developers can create predefined layouts for custom pages, posts, or post types for users to use.
For example, the Twenty Twenty-Four theme has several custom templates defined in the theme.json file: Page No Title, Page With Sidebar, Page with wide Image, and Single with Sidebar.
You can use any of these to create your content.
],
"customTemplates": [
{
"name": "page-no-title",
"postTypes": ["page"],
"title": "Web page No Title"
},
{
"identify": "page-with-sidebar",
"postTypes": ["page"],
"title": "Web page With Sidebar"
},
{
"identify": "page-wide",
"postTypes": ["page"],
"title": "Web page with extensive Picture"
},
{
"identify": "single-with-sidebar",
"postTypes": ["post"],
"title": "Single with Sidebar"
}
]
One factor to notice is that the theme.json file solely references the templates by identify and supplies metadata about them, comparable to their title and the put up varieties they’re meant for.
Nonetheless, the precise look and performance of the customized templates are outlined in separate template recordsdata contained in the theme folder.
To see them, you possibly can go to public_html » wp-content » themes » your-theme-name » templates.
Template Components
Template components are reusable areas you possibly can apply throughout your customized templates. These are parts like headers, footers, sidebars, and so forth.
Right here’s what these template components appear like registered in theme.json:
"templateParts": [
{
"area": "header",
"name": "header",
"title": "Header"
},
{
"area": "footer",
"name": "footer",
"title": "Footer"
},
{
"area": "sidebar", // Removed "uncategorized"
"name": "sidebar",
"title": "Sidebar"
},
{
"area": "post-meta", // Removed "uncategorized"
"name": "post-meta",
"title": "Post Meta"
}
]
Like customized templates, the theme.json file solely references the templates.
Their precise look is outlined in their very own template half recordsdata within the components folder.
Patterns
Patterns are pre-made collections of blocks that allow you to create customized content material layouts in your pages, posts, or anyplace else in your theme.
Once you open the complete web site editor, chances are you’ll discover the Patterns menu. That is the place you could find all of the out there patterns in your Gutenberg block theme.
With theme.json, theme builders can reference patterns from the general public Pattern directory. It’s an effective way to supply extra customization choices with out designing these reusable blocks your self.
For instance, the Twenty Twenty-4 theme references two patterns from the official listing: three columns of providers and shoppers part:
"patterns": [
"three-columns-of-services",
"clients-section"
]
We all know this as a result of these patterns are within the Patterns menu within the full web site editor.
Nonetheless, they’re not within the patterns folder contained in the theme listing.
Be aware: It’s possible you’ll discover that the templates, components, and patterns folders in your theme listing include recordsdata not laid out in theme.json, however they’re nonetheless seen within the full web site editor.
For those who’re curious, it is because WordPress is designed to mechanically acknowledge and use these folders based mostly on their naming conventions and placement inside the theme’s listing.
What You Ought to Do Earlier than Modifying the theme.json File
Since theme.json is a core theme file, enhancing it immediately in your dwell WordPress web site comes with some threat. Unintended errors might doubtlessly break your theme or web site.
A safer method is to make use of a toddler theme.
A baby theme inherits all of the kinds and functionalities of your guardian theme (the block theme you might be utilizing) however means that you can customise issues with out modifying the guardian theme itself. This manner, if the guardian theme receives updates, your customizations gained’t be overwritten.
You may learn our information on how you can create a toddler theme in WordPress for extra data. This text reveals a simple technique with the Create Block Theme plugin, which is able to mechanically generate a brand new theme.json file in your little one theme solely.
To make sure a clean enhancing expertise and keep away from any web site downtime, we additionally advocate creating a brand new backup of your WordPress web site. This manner, if one thing goes fallacious, you possibly can simply restore your web site to its earlier state.
We advocate utilizing a plugin like Duplicator for a fast and dependable backup answer.
It’s additionally really useful to work in a neighborhood WordPress growth setting or a staging web site. This creates a duplicate of your dwell web site the place you possibly can take a look at modifications safely with out affecting your guests.
Listed below are some extra suggestions to remember:
- Start with minor edits in your theme.json file and take a look at them totally earlier than making extra advanced modifications.
- For those who’re not sure about any particular property or setting inside the theme.json file, seek the advice of the official WordPress documentation.
- Don’t hesitate to hunt assist from the theme developer’s assist crew or the WordPress.org assist boards for those who run into any points. Try our information on how you can ask for WordPress assist for extra data.
How you can Edit WordPress theme.json File
Primarily based on our analysis and testing, we’ve found two methods to edit a WordPress theme.json file: utilizing the full-site editor or utilizing code. The primary possibility is far simpler and safer and allows you to see your modifications from the entrance finish of your web site.
In the meantime, the second alternative is really useful in case you are snug with superior WordPress growth.
Edit theme.json With out Code (Learners)
To edit your theme.json file with out touching the code immediately, you should use the Create Block Theme plugin. This plugin was revealed by the official WordPress.org crew to let customers create, edit, and save the type variations of their block theme.
First, go forward and set up the WordPress plugin in your admin space. Then, open the full-site editor by going to Look » Editor.
You’ll now see a number of menus to edit your theme.
Right here, choose ‘Types.’
Subsequent, click on the pencil ‘Edit kinds’ icon.
This can take you to the block editor to edit your web site’s world kinds.
Now, you possibly can change the type of your theme like regular. You may learn the part on how you can edit your theme’s world kinds in our WordPress full-site enhancing information for extra data.
Let’s attempt making a customized colour palette for example.
The colour scheme or palette is a set of default colours for parts like textual content, backgrounds, and buttons. It ensures a cohesive look all through your web site.
Components utilizing the identical colour preset will all the time match in order that your web site design appears polished {and professional}.
To edit the palette, choose ‘Colours’ on the Types settings sidebar.
On the following display, you will notice some settings to customise your theme’s colours.
Right here, click on the colours within the ‘Palette’ part.
On this instance, the Twenty Twenty-4 theme has already outlined 5 colours within the palette, however you possibly can change any of them to create a customized one from scratch.
To take action, click on one of many colours underneath ‘Theme.’ Then, choose any colour within the colour picker instrument.
Now, for those who preview your web site, you will notice that the precise blocks or parts that used the earlier colour have been changed with the colour you simply chosen in your palette.
You may repeat the identical steps for every colour. Then, click on ‘Save.’
After saving your modifications, click on the Create Block Theme button (the wrench icon).
Then, choose ‘Save Modifications to Theme.’
On the following display, it’s essential scroll down.
After that, click on ‘Save Modifications.’ This can immediate WordPress to retailer all of the modifications you’ve made to your theme within the theme.json file.
When you try this, the block editor will then refresh itself.
Now, click on the Create Block Theme button once more and choose ‘View theme.json.’
To see the code in your customized colour palette, search for palette
that’s nested inside colour
and settings
, like so:
"settings": {
// Some code...
"colour": {
// Some code...
"palette":
}
}
Underneath it, it’s best to see the brand new hex codes of your customized colour palette.
Edit theme.json With Code (Superior Customers)
This technique is really useful in case you are an aspiring WordPress theme developer or have some expertise with code.
First, open your block theme’s theme.json file in your WordPress listing. You may both use the code editor in your internet host’s file supervisor or obtain the file, edit it in your laptop, and add it again to your server.
We are going to use the Twenty Twenty-4 theme and Bluehost’s file supervisor for demonstration functions. In case you are a Bluehost consumer and are utilizing the file supervisor, then you possibly can simply merely right-click in your theme.json file and click on ‘Edit.’
For those who use FTP, then you possibly can learn our information on how you can use FTP to add recordsdata to WordPress.
Let’s attempt a easy instance of enhancing your theme.json file: creating customized font sizes.
Once more, keep in mind that the settings property specifies your theme’s default kinds, whereas the kinds property implements them. Because of this, we are going to edit the settings property within the theme.json file.
For those who use a toddler theme, then you possibly can merely copy and paste the next code into your theme.json file and alter the font sizes in pixels as you see match:
{
"settings": {
"typography": {
"fluid": false,
"fontSizes": [
{
"name": "Small",
"slug": "small",
"size": "16px"
},
{
"name": "Medium",
"slug": "medium",
"size": "24px"
},
{
"name": "Large",
"slug": "large",
"size": "40px"
},
{
"name": "Extra Large",
"slug": "x-lagrge", // Typo fixed (large -> large)
"size": "48px"
}
]
}
}
}
Be aware: In case you are enhancing your guardian theme’s file immediately, then it’s essential discover the code that claims fontSizes
.
It needs to be nested inside typography
and settings
, like so:
{
"settings": {
// Some code...
"typography": {
// Some code...
"fontSizes": [
// Font size definitions here
]
}
}
}
After that, substitute these traces of code with the code snippet from above. Simply make it possible for there are not any syntax errors in it.
As soon as performed, save the file and preview your web site to see your modifications. For Bluehost customers, you possibly can merely click on ‘Save Modifications’ within the file supervisor’s code editor.
If you wish to edit your theme.json additional, we extremely encourage getting extra conversant in the file’s construction as defined within the earlier part.
We additionally recommend studying the official WordPress Settings Reference, which features a full record of the out there settings properties and directions for utilizing them.
Bonus Tip: Use WPCode to Add Customized Code to Your Theme
On this information, you may have realized about theme.json and its potential for theme customization. However possibly it nonetheless feels a bit overwhelming to edit immediately.
Fortunately, there’s one other user-friendly possibility for including customized code and making superior customizations: WPCode.
With WPCode, you possibly can insert customized code snippets with out ever needing to the touch your theme recordsdata themselves. This considerably reduces the chance of breaking your web site throughout customization.
If you wish to be taught extra about this code snippet plugin, take a look at our full WPCode evaluation.
Additionally, listed here are some useful tutorials to get you began with utilizing WPCode:
We hope this text helped you be taught concerning the theme.json file in WordPress. You may additionally need to take a look at our newbie’s information on how you can edit a WordPress web site and our professional decide of the most effective drag-and-drop web page builders for WordPress.
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