Safe Coding Guideline
How to safely edit your theme or plugin files
Most section of this knowledge base involve custom codes, that need to be implemented either in your theme/child theme functions.php file or via a plugin.
Before starting with any of the listed methods, make sure to have a full website back-up just in case. You never know what you may accidentally delete or change.
This method is recommendend, as it is safer and more compatible with most custom codes.
- Optimally, you should use a child theme. Child theme files does not change during theme updates, leaving the changes in tact.
- Open up the functions.php file in your active theme/child theme directory via an (s)FTP file editor. Notepad++, Filezilla and WinSCP are great tools for that. We do not recommend using the theme editor that wordpress offers, for safety reasons. Tutorial here.
- The file is usually located at wp-content/themes/your-current-theme/functions.php
- Place the recommended code snippet at the bottom of that file.
- Save, and it is done
This method is much easier, most snippets should work all right with it. If not, then please use method #1 above.
- Use the plugin back-end to add and manage custom codes
Last modified 2yr ago