Stage 2 · Lesson 4 of 7
Block themes and classic themes
WordPress themes come in two kinds. build pages with PHP files such as single.php and header.php. Their settings live in the , the Menus screen and widgets.
use HTML templates made of blocks. These sit in a templates folder, and you edit them in the Site Editor. Many existing client sites still run classic themes, often with a , so you will maintain both.
Most new builds can start from a block theme. Learn to tell them apart in seconds: a block theme has templates/*.html files, and a theme.json file whose settings drive the Site Editor.
Common trapfollowing a tutorial for the other kind, then editing a PHP file that a block theme never loads and wondering why nothing changes.
A question to check yourself, an AI practice session and 1 cheat sheet entry come with the full roadmap. Unlock
Resources for this stage
Start with
- CourseFreeLearn WordPress
WordPress.org
Free official courses on the block editor, Site Editor, themes and plugins, with lesson plans and online workshops
Practise
Keep handy
Also worth your time
- roadmap.sh: WordPressGo deeper
A map of the wider WordPress skill set to check your coverage against once the basics feel solid