Creating a WordPress theme can be a daunting and time-consuming task. Whether this is your first time building a theme or you’ve built dozens, you can always find ways to improve. We’ve identified some of the best community resources to make tasks easier: from starter themes to frameworks to option builders and more. There are many powerful resources to jump start your project, but are they worth the time it will take to learn a new system? Help put time on your side with a more efficient work flow for your team or yourself.

1. Andy Wilkerson
Hacking the Community
to Build Themes Faster!
@AndyInTheWild | http://para.llel.us

2. Where do I start?
(here)

3. Who is going to use it?
Define Your Requirements
Is this...a custom theme for a client?
Or…a theme to resell?
Maybe…something else?
(WordPress.org, your own website, etc.)

4. Frameworks vs Custom
What’s the best choice?

5. What are Frameworks?
Parent Theme
Drop-in
Option Builders

6. Finding a Framework
https://codex.wordpress.org/Theme_Frameworks Google: wordpress framework

7. Frameworks You Know
Genesis
Thesis
Hybrid Core
Headway
PageLines
Cherry Framework
Carrington Core
Gantry Framework
SMOF
Options Framework
Runway Framework
UpThemes
Vafpress Framework
Codestar Framework
Ultimatium

8. Small Projects
Special Requirements
Everything Else Sucks
Get your custom on!

9. You don’t use _S? Pfff!
Premium as a Starter
(or framework)
Starter Themes

10. Creating a Demo

11. Helpful Plugins

12. Go with the [work] flow.
Streamline

13. It is very hard to create a process.
Rinse and Repeat

14. Andy Wilkerson
@AndyInTheWild | http://para.llel.us | runwaywp.com | para.llel.us/+/wcn15