How to Create a Child Theme

A child theme allows you to make custom changes to Inspiro Lite without affecting the main (parent) theme. This way, your modifications are preserved even when you update the theme.

What Is a Child Theme?

A child theme is a separate WordPress theme that inherits all features, design, and functionality from its parent theme (Inspiro Lite). You can use it to safely:

• Add or override CSS styles.
• Modify template files.
• Add custom functions (via functions.php).

Without a child theme, changes you make directly to Inspiro Lite files will be lost after the next update.

Do You Need a Child Theme?

• Yes, if you plan to customize Inspiro Lite by editing PHP template files or adding custom functions.
• No, if you only plan to adjust design elements (colors, fonts, spacing) through the Customizer or by adding CSS under Appearance → Customize → Additional CSS.

For most users, the Customizer is enough. Use a child theme only if you’re comfortable working with code.

How to Create a Child Theme

You can create a child theme in two ways:

1. Download the Pre-Made Child Theme

We’ve prepared a ready-to-use child theme for Inspiro Lite:

Download Child Theme

After downloading:

1. Go to Appearance → Themes → Add New → Upload Theme.
2. Upload the ZIP file and click Install Now.
3. Activate the child theme.

2. Use a Plugin to Create a Child Theme

If you prefer not to create the child theme manually, you can use a free plugin such as Child Theme Configurator.

1. Go to Plugins → Add New.
2. Search for Child Theme Configurator and click Install Now, then Activate.
3. After activation, go to Tools → Child Themes.
4. Select Inspiro from the list of installed themes.
5. Click Analyze → Create New Child Theme.
6. Once the process is complete, go to Appearance → Themes and activate your new child theme.

How to Use the Child Theme

Once the child theme is active, you can:

• Add custom CSS in style.css.
• Override parent theme template files by copying them into the child theme folder and editing them.
• Add custom PHP functions in functions.php.

Note: Custom functions can also be added without creating a Child Theme by using My Custom Functions or Pluginception plugins.

See also:
Recommended Practices for Customizing a WPZOOM Theme

Important Notes

• Always keep the Inspiro Lite parent theme installed. The child theme will not work without it.
• Update Inspiro Lite safely — your child theme customizations will remain intact.

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