Have you ever stumbled across the phrase “underscore WordPress” and wondered what it really means? Whether you’re customizing a theme, connecting with community resources, or troubleshooting website issues, understanding the role of underscores in WordPress can save you time and frustration.
This article unpacks the basics behind underscores in WordPress. You’ll discover why they matter, common scenarios where they’re used, and clear steps and tips to use them effectively in your projects.
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What Is Underscores in WordPress?
If you’re starting out with WordPress theme development, you might hear the term “Underscores,” sometimes shortened to _s. Underscores is a starter theme—essentially a blank template—for building your own custom WordPress themes. It is created and maintained by Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, and is widely regarded as one of the best tools for developers who want a head start in crafting unique, high-quality themes without unnecessary clutter.
The main idea behind Underscores is simple: provide you with just enough code and structure to kickstart your theme development without enforcing any particular style or layout. It’s not a framework or a finished theme; it’s a foundation, so you get full control over the design and features.
Why Use Underscores in WordPress Theme Development?
Underscores is popular among developers—both beginners and professionals—for good reasons:
- Clean Slate: No bloat or unnecessary features. You start with the basics and add only what you need.
- Best Practices: The code is clean, well-commented, and follows WordPress coding standards, which helps you learn the “right way” to build themes.
- Time-Saver: Sets up the groundwork, so you don’t have to write boilerplate code from scratch each time.
- Highly Customizable: You’re in control—the theme doesn’t dictate layout or design decisions.
- Active Maintenance: Since it’s from Automattic, it stays up-to-date with the latest features and standards in WordPress.
Step-by-Step Guide: Getting Started With Underscores
Ready to start building with Underscores? Here’s a simple, detailed guide to help you create your first theme:
1. Generate Your Custom Underscores Theme
Underscores provides a generator that lets you name your theme and download a personalized copy. Here’s what to do:
- Visit the Underscores site and enter your theme name.
- Choose any advanced options if available (e.g., Sass integration).
- Download the generated zip file, which contains your starter theme.
2. Install Your Theme in WordPress
Now, bring your starter theme into your WordPress site:
- Log into your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to Appearance > Themes.
- Click “Add New,” then “Upload Theme.”
- Choose your downloaded zip file and click “Install Now.”
- Once installed, click “Activate.”
3. Understand the File Structure
Your Underscores starter theme comes with a simple yet robust folder setup:
- style.css: The main stylesheet for declaring your theme details and adding custom styles.
- functions.php: Where you add custom functionality and enqueue styles/scripts.
- index.php: The default template file.
- header.php and footer.php: Control the header and footer sections.
- sidebar.php: Optional sidebar content.
- page.php and single.php: Templates for pages and single posts.
- template-parts/: Modular template files for bits like content or featured images.
Everything is commented and organized for easy learning and speedy development.
4. Customize the Theme
Underscores doesn’t come with design opinions, so you shape your theme’s look and behavior:
- Edit style.css or enqueue additional style files.
- Tweak template files to adjust layout or structure.
- Add new templates, like archive.php or custom post types, as your site’s needs grow.
- Add custom functions or hooks in functions.php.
5. Add Styling With CSS or Frameworks
You can:
- Write custom CSS in style.css for a unique look.
- Integrate CSS frameworks, like Bootstrap, or utility frameworks like Tailwind, for rapid design—some variants of Underscores are tailored for them.
- Use preprocessors like Sass or LESS, if you’re comfortable.
6. Enhance Functionality
Expand your theme with:
- Custom widgets.
- Navigation menus.
- Featured images and custom logo support.
- Customizer options to give users more control.
7. Test and Debug
- Try your theme in different browsers for consistency.
- Test on mobile devices.
- Use tools and plugins to check for code quality and accessibility.
Key Benefits of Using Underscores
Choosing Underscores for theme development comes with several tangible advantages:
- Learning by Doing: Since Underscores is lean, you engage directly with WordPress’s template hierarchy and core concepts.
- Best Practices: You’ll internalize WordPress standards and make themes that are robust and compatible.
- Speed and Efficiency: Focus on creativity and unique functionality, not repetitive setup work.
- Community-Driven: Supported by a large developer community and updated by the people behind WordPress itself.
- Great for Teamwork: Clean structure and comments make it easy for multiple developers to collaborate.
Potential Challenges and Considerations
Underscores is fantastic as a learning and development tool, but it’s important to be aware of a few factors:
- Not a Complete Solution: It doesn’t include premade styles, so all visual work is up to you.
- Learning Curve: Beginners may find the bare-bones approach intimidating; some HTML, CSS, and PHP knowledge is helpful.
- No Page Builder Integration: Out of the box, it doesn’t include drag-and-drop features that some modern themes offer.
- Maintenance: You are responsible for ongoing updates and security if you distribute the theme.
Tips and Best Practices for Working With Underscores
- Start Small: Don’t try to add too many features at once. Begin with basic structure and expand gradually.
- Stay Organized: Keep your code and files tidy. Use template parts to avoid duplication.
- Follow WordPress Codex: Familiarize yourself with WordPress development guidelines and functions.
- Test Early and Often: Use tools like Theme Check and WP_DEBUG for troubleshooting and quality assurance.
- Learn from Others: Check out open-source Underscores-based themes to see best practices in action.
- Utilize Version Control: Use systems like Git for managing changes, especially when working on larger projects or with teams.
- Accessibility First: Make your theme usable for everyone by following accessibility guidelines.
- Invest in Performance: Minimize CSS/JS, compress images, and ensure your theme loads quickly.
- Stay Up to Date: Track updates to WordPress core and adjust your theme as needed.
Modern Variants and Extending Underscores
The WordPress ecosystem has inspired several projects that build on the Underscores concept. For example:
- _tw (UnderscoreTW): A variant designed to integrate with Tailwind CSS, so you can build modern, utility-first designs quickly.
- Understrap: Combines Underscores with Bootstrap for those who prefer a responsive, grid-based framework out of the box.
You can either stick with plain Underscores or explore these variants if you want popular CSS tools built-in.
Cost Considerations
Using Underscores is completely free. Because it’s a starter theme, there are no hidden fees, subscriptions, or licensing worries. Your main costs are:
- Hosting and Domain: For your WordPress installation.
- Development Tools: If you opt for premium design tools or frameworks.
- Premium Plugins or Services: Optional, if you enhance your theme with paid add-ons.
No shipping, handling, or extra costs are associated with Underscores itself. It’s open-source and perfect for personal or commercial projects.
Conclusion
Underscores (_s) is a powerful starting point for anyone who wants to create custom WordPress themes from scratch. Its minimal, well-structured codebase encourages best practices and hands-on learning, while remaining flexible for professionals to build advanced projects. Whether you’re making a personal blog, a client website, or the next theme for public release, Underscores can streamline your workflow and help you become a more confident developer.
Remember, the magic of Underscores is in its simplicity. Start small, build thoughtfully, and you’ll have a theme that’s truly yours.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between Underscores and a typical WordPress theme?
Underscores is a starter theme, not a finished product. Unlike commercial or free themes with pre-designed layouts, Underscores gives you only the essential files and code. Its main purpose is to let you build your own theme from the ground up.
Do I need to know how to code to use Underscores?
A basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and PHP is helpful. While you don’t need to be an expert, some coding experience is essential for customizing and extending your theme.
Can I use Underscores to create themes for clients or to sell?
Absolutely! Underscores is open-source under the GPL license, so you can use it for personal sites, client projects, or even build premium themes for sale.
Does Underscores work with the latest version of WordPress?
Yes, Underscores is regularly maintained by core contributors, ensuring compatibility with the latest versions of WordPress.
Is it safe and effective for beginners?
Underscores is an excellent learning tool and a great way for beginners to get practical experience with theme development. Just be prepared to engage with the code and documentation, and you’ll pick up new skills quickly.
With Underscores, you’re not just building a theme—you’re learning how WordPress works under the hood. Happy coding!