wp-block-themes

SKILL.md

WP Block Themes

When to use

Use this skill for block theme work such as:

editing theme.json (presets, settings, styles, per-block styles)

adding or changing templates (templates/*.html) and template parts (parts/*.html)

adding patterns (patterns/*.php) and controlling what appears in the inserter

adding style variations (styles/*.json)

debugging “styles not applying” / “editor doesn’t reflect theme.json”

Inputs required

Repo root and which theme is targeted (theme directory if multiple exist).

Target WordPress version range (theme.json version and features vary by core version).

Where the issue manifests: Site Editor, post editor, frontend, or all.

Procedure
0) Triage and locate block theme roots

Run triage:

node skills/wp-project-triage/scripts/detect_wp_project.mjs

Detect theme roots + key folders:

node skills/wp-block-themes/scripts/detect_block_themes.mjs

If multiple themes exist, pick one and scope all changes to that theme root.

1) Create a new block theme (if needed)

If you are creating a new block theme from scratch (or converting a classic theme):

Prefer starting from a known-good scaffold (or exporting from a WP environment) rather than guessing file layout.

Be explicit about the minimum supported WordPress version because theme.json schema versions differ.

Read:

references/creating-new-block-theme.md

After creating the theme root, re-run detect_block_themes and continue below.

2) Confirm theme type and override expectations

Block theme indicators:

theme.json present

templates/ and/or parts/ present

Remember the style hierarchy:

core defaults → theme.json → child theme → user customizations

user customizations can make theme.json edits appear “ignored”

Read:

references/debugging.md (style hierarchy + fastest checks)

3) Make theme.json changes safely

Decide whether you are changing:

settings (what the UI allows): presets, typography scale, colors, layout, spacing

styles (how it looks by default): CSS-like rules for elements/blocks

Read:

references/theme-json.md

4) Templates and template parts

Templates live under templates/ and are HTML.

Template parts live under parts/ and must not be nested in subdirectories.

Read:

references/templates-and-parts.md

5) Patterns

Prefer filesystem patterns under patterns/ when you want theme-owned patterns.

Read:

references/patterns.md

6) Style variations

Style variations are JSON files under styles/. Note: once a user picks a style variation, that selection is stored in the DB, so changing the file may not “update what the user sees” automatically.

Read:

references/style-variations.md

Verification

Site Editor reflects changes where expected (Styles UI, templates, patterns).

Frontend renders with expected styles.

If styles aren’t changing, confirm whether user customizations override theme defaults.

Run the repo’s build/lint scripts if assets are involved (fonts, custom JS/CSS build).

Failure modes / debugging

Start with:

references/debugging.md

Common issues:

wrong theme root (editing an inactive theme)

user customizations override your defaults

invalid theme.json shape/typos prevent application

templates/parts in wrong folders (or nested parts)

Escalation

If upstream behavior is unclear, consult canonical docs:

Theme Handbook and Block Editor Handbook for theme.json, templates, patterns, and style variations.