Which files should i edit?
There will undoubtedly come a time when you want to edit or customize the theme files, the purpose of this tutorial is to give you an idea of which files do what and which are safe to edit and which are not.
The basic rule
All editable theme files start with an underscore, e.g. “_header.php” and not “header.php”
Why shouldn’t i just edit any file?
To make the process of customizing, editing and upgrading PremiumPress themes easier for you, we have, where possible, separated core theme functions from design elements. This means that whenever possible you should only edit child theme files to ensure that during upgrades your work is not overwritten.
The files/folders that are labeled with a red cross (
） are core theme files and maybe updated during theme upgrades therefore they SHOULD NOT be edited, those with a green tick （
） are template files that will not be upgraded during theme upgrades.
Notes: For this example we will use the CouponPress theme however all theme structures are the same.
| Path | File Name | Description | Should Edit |
| admin/ | ALL FILES | contains admin area files | |
| images/ | ALL FILES | contains linked images for admin | |
| PPT/ | ALL FILES | contains core functions | |
| author.php | linked to _author.php | |
|
| comments.php | linked to _comments.php | |
|
| footer.php | linked to _footer.php | |
|
| functions.php | stored the current theme version numbers | |
|
| header.php | linked to _header.php | |
|
| rtl.css | not used but part of WordPress | |
|
| sidebar.php | linked to _sidebar.php | |
|
| single.php | linked to_single.php | |
|
| style.css | not used, stores theme version only | |
|
| tpl-add-article.php | linked to _tpl-add_article.php | |
|
| tpl-add.php | linked to _tpl-add.php | |
|
| tpl-articles.php | linked to _tpl-articles.php | |
|
| tpl-callback.php | linked to _tpl-callback.php | |
|
| tpl-checkout.php | linked to _tpl-checkout.php | |
|
| tpl-contact.php | linked to _tpl-contact.php | |
|
| tpl-edit.php | linked to _tpl-edit.php | |
|
| tpl-messages.php | linked to _tpl-messages.php | |
|
| tpl-myaccount.php | linked to _tpl-myaccount.php | |
|
| tpl-payments.php | linked to _tpl-payments.php | |
|
| tpl-people.php | linked to _tpl-people.php | |
|
| tpl-stores.php | linked to _tpl-stores.php | |
|
| _countrylist.php | stores the list of form countries | |
|
| _link.php | used for link cloaking | |
|
| 404.php | linked to _404.php | |
|
| _print.php | used for displaying printable items. | |
|
| themes/ | YOU SHOULD EDIT CHILD THEME FILES | |
|
| template_THEMENAME/ | |||
| language_english.php | stores the website language array, edit this file if you would like to edit your website text. | |
|
| styles.css | stores the default website styles | |
|
| system_customdesign.php | custom theme design functions are in here | |
|
| system_customfields.php | admin area custom fields are in here | |
|
| system_customlogins.php | the member login/registration and lost password forms are in here | |
|
| _404.php | used for 404 (page cannot be found) pages | |
|
| _articlepage.php | will display website articles instead of the _single.php | |
|
| _author.php | will display member history | |
|
| _block_packages.php | membership package options | |
|
| _comments.php | linked to _single.php/_articlepage.php for display comments | |
|
| _footer.php | website footer | |
|
| _gallerypage.php | main gallery page for displaying listings | |
|
| _header.php | website header | |
|
| _homepage.php | home page | |
|
| _item.php | main item block displayed through the website | |
|
| _item_small.php/item_gallery.php | used for alternative styles/display as the above | |
|
| _page.php | display WordPress page content | |
|
| _sidebar.php | right sidebar | |
|
| _sidebar1.php | left sidebar | |
|
| _single.php | main listing page | |
|
| _tpl_add-article.php | article submission form | |
|
| _tpl_add.php | main submission form | |
|
| _tpl_articles.php | article display page for category/new listings | |
|
| _tpl_callback.php | used for sending members back to your website after a payment has been made | |
|
| _tpl_checkout.php | used for some themes with checkout options | |
|
| _tpl_contact.php | contact page | |
|
| _tpl_edit.php | member editor for editing existing website listings | |
|
| _tpl_messages.php | messages page for viewing messages | |
|
| _tpl_myaccount.php | my account page | |
|
| _tpl_payments.php | used with some themes for quick payment options | |
|
| _tpl_stores.php | used for displaying stores in couponpress | |
