WordPress Theme Development Workflow

Overview

Specialized workflow for creating custom WordPress themes from scratch, including modern block editor (Gutenberg) support, template hierarchy, and responsive design.

When to Use This Workflow

Use this workflow when:

• Creating custom WordPress themes
• Converting designs to WordPress themes
• Adding block editor support
• Implementing custom post types
• Building child themes

Workflow Phases

Phase 1: Theme Setup

Skills to Invoke

• app-builder – Project scaffolding
• frontend-developer – Frontend development

Actions

1. Create theme directory structure
2. Set up style.css with theme header
3. Create functions.php
4. Configure theme support
5. Set up enqueue scripts/styles

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @app-builder to scaffold a new WordPress theme project

Phase 2: Template Hierarchy

Skills to Invoke

• frontend-developer – Template development

Actions

1. Create index.php (fallback template)
2. Implement header.php and footer.php
3. Create single.php for posts
4. Create page.php for pages
5. Add archive.php for archives
6. Implement search.php and 404.php

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @frontend-developer to create WordPress template files

Phase 3: Theme Functions

Skills to Invoke

• backend-dev-guidelines – Backend patterns

Actions

1. Register navigation menus
2. Add theme support (thumbnails, RSS, etc.)
3. Register widget areas
4. Create custom template tags
5. Implement helper functions

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @backend-dev-guidelines to create theme functions

Phase 4: Custom Post Types

Skills to Invoke

• wordpress-penetration-testing – WordPress patterns

Actions

1. Register custom post types
2. Create custom taxonomies
3. Add custom meta boxes
4. Implement custom fields
5. Create archive templates

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @wordpress-penetration-testing to understand WordPress CPT patterns

Phase 5: Block Editor Support

Skills to Invoke

• frontend-developer – Block development

Actions

1. Enable block editor support
2. Register custom blocks
3. Create block styles
4. Add block patterns
5. Configure block templates

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @frontend-developer to create custom Gutenberg blocks

Phase 6: Styling and Design

Skills to Invoke

• frontend-design – UI design
• tailwind-patterns – Tailwind CSS

Actions

1. Implement responsive design
2. Add CSS framework or custom styles
3. Create design system
4. Implement theme customizer
5. Add accessibility features

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @frontend-design to create responsive theme design

Phase 7: Testing

Skills to Invoke

• playwright-skill – Browser testing
• webapp-testing – Web app testing

Actions

1. Test across browsers
2. Verify responsive breakpoints
3. Test block editor
4. Check accessibility
5. Performance testing

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @playwright-skill to test WordPress theme

Theme Structure

theme-name/
├── style.css
├── functions.php
├── index.php
├── header.php
├── footer.php
├── sidebar.php
├── single.php
├── page.php
├── archive.php
├── search.php
├── 404.php
├── comments.php
├── template-parts/
├── inc/
├── assets/
│   ├── css/
│   ├── js/
│   └── images/
└── languages/

Quality Gates

• All templates working
• Block editor supported
• Responsive design verified
• Accessibility checked
• Performance optimized
• Cross-browser tested

Related Workflow Bundles

• wordpress – WordPress development
• wordpress-plugin-development – Plugin development
• wordpress-woocommerce – WooCommerce