WordPress Theme Checklist

Note: The following checklist was based on WordPress 2.0. Since WordPress 2.1, WordPress has replaced and introduced new template tags.

Files, functions, and to-dos you need to check-off before using / publishing your own unique WordPress theme:

Files and Templates

• 404.php
• archive.php
• category.php
• comments.php
• footer.php
• functions.php (for widget-ready sidebar)
• header.php
• index.php
• page.php
• search.php
• searchform.php
• sidebar.php
• single.php
• screenshot.png / .jpg / .gif
• style.css
• readme.txt (optional)

Header.php

• Blog’s Title
• Blog’s Description

Footer.php

• wp_footer()
• Footer text and links (usually, copyright message)

Sidebar.php

• Search form – Does the regular search form match the widget search form?
• Pages / wp_list_pages() – Have you styled the second level links? Third level links?
• Categories / wp_list_cats() – Sort by name or ID? In what order? Is hierarchical turned off or on?
• Archives
• Calendar – Does the regular calendar match the widget calendar?
• Links / get_links_list()
• Meta: wp_register(), wp_loginout(), wp_meta()

Index.php, Archive.php, Category.php, Search.php, Page.php, Single.php

• the_ID()
• Post title: the_permalink, the_title()
• the_content
• Postmetadata: edit_post_link(), comments_popup_link(), the_author(), the_category(), the_time(),
• trackback_rdf() [hidden]
• posts_nav_link() – Next/Previous page links
• Else – What to display when there is no content.

Archive.php, Search.php

• the_excerpt() replaces the_content()

Page.php

• link_pages()
• Remove Postmetadata
• Keep edit_post_link()
• Remove posts_nav_link()
• comments_template()

Single.php

• link_pages()
• Remove comments_popup_link()
• comments_template()

Comments.php

• Comments list
• Comment forms and textarea
• ‘No comments’ message
• ‘Comments awaiting moderation’ message
• ‘Must login’ message
• ‘Password protected’ message
• Comments off message

Pages to Validate

• Home page
• Archive pages
• Category pages (if you customize category pages)
• Search result pages
• Pages (i.e: About)
• Single post view page
• Single post with no comments
• Single post with comments
• Single post with must login message
• Single post with no login required message
• Password protected single post with comments

Note: This is not an end-all checklist. It covers just the basics. More items will be added.