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Utilizing a child theme: modifying PHP, CSS, JS files while maintaining future update compatibility

Install the Listivo child theme and make your CSS, PHP and JS changes there, so nothing you customize is overwritten the next time you update the theme.

2 minute read

You may not need a child theme
If you do not plan to modify theme files (CSS, PHP or JS), you do not need to use a child theme at all.

Using a child theme is the recommended way to modify any free or premium WordPress theme. It lets you keep future update compatibility, so you can benefit from updates and fixes and still keep your own changes.

Never edit the parent theme
Do not modify the original theme files in /wp-content/themes/listivo/ — you will lose your customized files as soon as you update the theme. Keep every change in the Listivo Child Theme.

How to download the Listivo child theme

  1. 1 Open your ThemeForest downloads

    Go to https://themeforest.net/downloads.

  2. 2 Choose All files & documentation The ThemeForest Download button opened, with a green arrow pointing at "All files & documentation", above the entries for the installable WordPress file only and the licence certificate downloads.
  3. 3 Unzip the package

    Inside you will find the listivo-child.zip file.

    Two archive files side by side in a Windows folder, named listivo and listivo-child.
  4. 4 Go to Appearance > Themes The WordPress admin sidebar with Appearance highlighted and its submenu open: Themes, Customize, Widgets, Menus, Header, Background, Editor.
  5. 5 Click Add New The top of the WordPress Themes screen showing "Themes 6" and a green arrow pointing at the Add New button.
  6. 6 Choose your file and click Install Now

    Upload the listivo-child.zip file you unpacked.

    The WordPress theme upload panel with listivo-child.zip selected in the Choose File field and the Install Now button next to it.
  7. 7 Activate the child theme The theme installation result for listivo-child.zip, confirming the parent theme Listivo is installed and the theme installed successfully, with a green arrow pointing at the Activate link.

How to use it for file modification

1. CSS

Add any new CSS rule into your wp-content/themes/listivo-child/style.css file. It will overwrite the old rules in listivo/style.css.

2. PHP

You need to copy the original file — for example /wp-content/themes/listivo/templates/widgets/model/listing_address.php — and paste it into /wp-content/themes/listivo-child/templates/widgets/model/listing_address.php.

This way the new file will be loaded instead of the original one. This example changes the single listing “Address”.

3. JS files

JS files need to be dequeued and enqueued again — you can read more about it in the WordPress child theme documentation.

Keep reading

Adding CSS code for future update compatibility Updating Listivo: what to expect and how to do it

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