Title: /themes directory
Author: WordPress VIP Documentation
Published: September 15, 2020
Last modified: August 8, 2024

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 1. [WordPress VIP skeleton](https://docs.wpvip.com/wordpress-skeleton/)
 2. /themes directory

#  /themes directory

The `/themes` directory is mapped to `/wp-content/themes/` ; this directory works
similarly to `WP_CONTENT_DIR . '/themes/'` in a self-hosted WordPress installation.

**Theme files and directories can only be added, removed, or updated via code commits
to GitHub**; not from within the WordPress Admin dashboard.

Code quality of a theme can be verified before adding it to a GitHub repository 
by [scanning the theme code with PHP_Codesniffer](https://docs.wpvip.com/php_codesniffer/run-against-code/)(
PHPCS). The scan will provide [feedback on warnings and errors](https://docs.wpvip.com/vip-code-analysis-bot/phpcs-report/)
that exist within the theme’s code. Feedback from the scan should be reviewed, and
acted on, including the possibility of seeking out a similar theme with higher code
quality in some cases.

WordPress.org’s [Theme Handbook](https://developer.wordpress.org/themes/) is the
best resource for answers to all theme-related questions. The Theme Handbook provides
guidance for topics such as [developing a custom theme](https://developer.wordpress.org/themes/basics/),
[creating a child theme](https://developer.wordpress.org/themes/advanced-topics/child-themes/),
and [theme security](https://developer.wordpress.org/themes/advanced-topics/security/)
best practices.

## The Underscores (_s) base theme

The [Underscores project](http://underscores.me/) is a basic starter theme intended
for developing custom themes. It is a lean theme built with well-commented code,
HTML5 templates, minimal CSS, and a variety of tools to help customize a theme.

Last updated: August 08, 2024