How to install and use the Plumbit child theme

A child theme gives you a safe place for custom PHP, CSS, and template changes without editing the Plumbit parent theme directly. It is optional. Most customers do not need it for Elementor editing, Customizer settings, plugin configuration, or demo content.

When to use the child theme#

Use the child theme when you plan to add custom code, override parent-theme templates, or maintain stylesheet changes that should survive future Plumbit updates.

Change	Child theme needed?
Edit pages with Elementor	No
Change colors, typography, or layout settings in the Customizer	No
Add custom PHP to `functions.php`	Yes
Override a parent-theme template file	Yes
Add substantial custom CSS that should stay separate from updates	Recommended

Do not edit the parent theme directly#

Files changed inside the Plumbit parent theme can be replaced during an update. Put code-level customizations in the child theme instead.

Before you begin#

Install the Plumbit parent theme first.
Keep the parent theme installed after activating the child theme.
Download plumbit-child.zip without extracting it.
Create a full site backup before adding custom code or template overrides.

Download the Plumbit child-theme package from your purchase account.

Install and activate the child theme#

In WordPress, go to AppearanceThemesAdd ThemeUpload Theme.
Select plumbit-child.zip.
Choose Install Now.
When installation finishes, choose Activate.
Return to AppearanceThemes and confirm that the Plumbit child theme is active while the Plumbit parent theme remains installed.

The parent theme must remain installed#

The child theme depends on Plumbit. Do not delete the parent theme after activating the child theme.

Using the child theme on an existing site#

Activating the child theme does not remove pages, posts, menus, media, widgets, or plugin data. Those records remain in the WordPress database.

Some theme settings can be stored by the active theme stylesheet. After activation, review the Customizer, menu assignments, widget areas, and logo settings. If a setting does not carry across automatically, reselect it in the child theme and publish the change.

Do not activate the child theme in the middle of uncommitted production work. Take a backup, activate it during a controlled maintenance window, then check the front end before continuing.

Where customizations belong#

Add PHP customizations to the child theme's functions.php.
Add theme-specific CSS to the child theme's style.css.
Copy a parent template into the matching child-theme path only when you need to override that template.
Do not copy the entire parent theme into the child theme.

Template overrides can become outdated when the parent theme changes. Keep a record of every copied file and review those files after major Plumbit updates.

How updates affect the parent and child themes#

Update the Plumbit parent theme normally. WordPress replaces parent-theme files during the update but leaves the separate child-theme directory untouched.

Your child-theme code remains in place, but that does not guarantee every customization will remain compatible forever. Test custom PHP and template overrides after major WordPress, plugin, or Plumbit updates.

Common child-theme problems#

WordPress says the parent theme is missing#

Install plumbit.zip first. The parent theme folder must be named plumbit so the child theme can find it.

Some settings look different after activation#

Open the Customizer and review the logo, menus, widgets, and theme options. Reassign any setting that was stored separately for the child theme.

The site breaks after custom code is added#

Remove or correct the latest customization. If the WordPress dashboard is inaccessible, use your hosting file manager or FTP to rename the child-theme folder temporarily, then inspect the error log. Do not edit the parent theme as a workaround.

Success state#

The Plumbit child theme is active.
The Plumbit parent theme remains installed.
The site front end loads normally.
Menus, widgets, logo, and Customizer settings are correct.
Custom code and template overrides live only in the child theme.

Support escalation#

If installation or activation fails, provide the exact ZIP filename, the full WordPress error, your WordPress and PHP versions, and a screenshot of AppearanceThemes. Mention whether the parent theme is installed and whether custom code has already been added. Do not send passwords.