How to update theme without losing customizations – for non tech folks like myself

QuestionsCategory: CustomizationHow to update theme without losing customizations – for non tech folks like myself
foodshooter asked 5 years ago

Hi there,
I’m keeping track of the tweaks you are helping me with on my theme. What I don’t know is – if there is a theme update how do I handle that? This question was asked before and I totally did not understand a lot of what was said because I don’t know code. There was mention of style sheets and something about php functions? 
What can someone like me (non-coder) do to make a theme updates go smoothly?

1 Answers
Jennifer Staff answered 5 years ago

When you have custom code in your theme, unless you know exactly what was changed to move to the new file, there is not a smooth way. When I create a theme for a client, I put a custom style sheet into the theme file and all my style modifications go there. Then I note in the php files what has been added or modified. That way it can easily be moved to the updated theme.

Typically with a Genesis theme you do not have to update unless you want to. These last few months have been the first time that the theme files had to be updated in order to work properly. 1 was for Gutenberg compatibility, the other because Genesis made some massive changes. Now, knock on some wood, there should hopefully not be any more major updates coming up that make it a requirement.

foodshooter replied 5 years ago

Hi, ok so are you saying that you made a custom style sheet for us here? I’m making a list of all the things as well on my end just to keep track.

foodshooter replied 5 years ago

Hi, just checking on this – did you make a custom style sheet?

Jennifer Staff replied 5 years ago

No, that is only when we do a custom desgin from scratch. Everything was added or replaced directly. If you need an update, I can deff hop on and make the change. It is unlikely though that the theme will need to be replaced and the updates from here on out, should be optional.

foodshooter replied 5 years ago

Ok cool – I just wanted to check. The last theme I was on had many updates and it really caused issues for me.