When it it time to create a child theme?

[Linda]

Hi Support,

I’ve read 3 posts that popped up when I typed in my topic, but would still appreciate some further clarification.

1. In Tom’s 2015 post (https://generatepress.com/forums/topic/do-custom-theme-files-create-issues-with-frequent-gp-updates/) it sounded as if hooks were a better GP option than a child theme. Is this correct?

2. I have no idea how to use hooks. Does that mean I should consider a child theme? Or learn about hooks?

3. Made a number of minor changes to our theme, i.e., spacing before bulleted lists, padding on some images using WP’s Additional CSS and, lately, Tom’s Simple CSS plugin. Also modified a bit of PHP with Code Snippets plugin. It seems I can move ahead like this with no problems.

The exception is if I have to add php to functions.php. I now need to do that to permanently edit text in WooCommerce Memberships automatic emails. If not, update will remove the code (I think).

Questions:
Given I’ve been fiddling with our site and its CSS/PHP for over a year now, is it too late to set up a child theme? If I do, what do I do with all the bits of CSS and PHP added the other ways?

Not sure if this is even a fair question to ask in this forum. If it isn’t, please let me koow.

Thanks for any advice you can offer on this,

Linda

[Leo]

Hi there,

It sort of depends on how much PHP and CSS you’ve added.

Can you give me ideas on how many lines you have?

Documentation: http://docs.generatepress.com/
Adding CSS: http://docs.generatepress.com/article/adding-css/

[Linda]

Hi Leo,

Here’s what I have (I think! Haven’t done the course you suggested yet!)
PHP: 37
Simple CSS: 3
Additional CSS: 50

I counted the lines with }. Not sure if I should have.

Linda

[Leo]

That case you don’t need a child theme.

I’d say that if you have over 500 lines of CSS then you can start considering using a child theme 🙂

Documentation: http://docs.generatepress.com/
Adding CSS: http://docs.generatepress.com/article/adding-css/

[Linda]

Thanks for getting back to me so fast, Leo! And thanks for your reply … I can put off the child theme issue for a while.

One follow up clarification re. this from above:

The exception is if I have to add php to functions.php. I now need to do that to permanently edit text in WooCommerce Memberships automatic emails. If not, update will remove the code (I think).

Do you know if I can use Code Snippets to do above PHP edits?

Thanks again for your help,

Linda

[Leo]

Tough to tell without seeing what the code you are trying to add.

Sounds like it’s a filter so it should work.

Have you tried testing the code in Code Snippets?

Documentation: http://docs.generatepress.com/
Adding CSS: http://docs.generatepress.com/article/adding-css/

[Linda]

No, I haven’t tried that yet. Positive idea though and I will give it a try. Thanks for the suggestion. Will let you know what happens.

Linda

[Leo]

A lot of things like these are just trial and error 🙂

Documentation: http://docs.generatepress.com/
Adding CSS: http://docs.generatepress.com/article/adding-css/

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