# Wp Block Themes

Use when developing WordPress block themes: theme.json (global settings/styles)...

- Repository: https://github.com/WordPress/agent-skills (2319 stars)
- Category: Engineering
- License: see repository
- Last updated: 2026-10-26
- Runs scripts: yes, review before use

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add WordPress/agent-skills --skill wp-block-themes -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add WordPress/agent-skills --skill wp-block-themes -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add WordPress/agent-skills --skill wp-block-themes -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add WordPress/agent-skills --skill wp-block-themes -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

Use when developing WordPress block themes: theme.json (global settings/styles), templates and template parts, patterns, style variations, and Site Editor troubleshooting (style hierarchy, overrides, caching).

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# 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

1. Run triage:
   - `node skills/wp-project-triage/scripts/detect_wp_project.mjs`
2. 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:

The rest: https://github.com/WordPress/agent-skills/blob/HEAD/skills/wp-block-themes/SKILL.md