Here is a handy checklist for people creating or modifying WordPress themes.
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.