Downloading index.php from chrome development tools. Bad idea?

Is downloading index from chrome development tools and tweak it a bad idea?

Huh? What did you download, where did you get it, and if you’re replacing the WordPress index.php file, yes, it’s a bad idea.

What would you do that for? What are you trying to change/customize?

@sterndata

Hi Steve,

You can access it on chrome by right clicking site and click inspect; then go to Sources and click F5.

I think there is some plugin, so what you edit in index.php from chrome dev tools stays there. This is a safer approach than downloading it right?
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@jaycbrf)

To customize the top menu color before you scroll down. To add a shadow for example.
Haven’t found a way to select another color for the “Menu Titles” or to customize them.

How would you go about customizing index.php ? Within chrome dev tools?

• This reply was modified 7 years, 2 months ago by johnatanasoff.

You don’t edit index.php to do stuff like that. You edit/create/add CSS. DO NOT EDIT CORE WORDPRESS FILES. (Yes, I’m SHOUTING that.)

To add CSS: use the “Additional CSS” option in the customizer. https://codex.www.ads-software.com/CSS#Custom_CSS_in_WordPress

If you’re editing theme files, then you should be working in a child theme.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 2 months ago by Steven Stern (sterndata).

@sterndata

Editing core files will break things up; got it!

I am already adding custom CSS. As for editing theme files haven’t worked on a child theme, but will do so!

Thanks Steve!

@johnatanasoff, when you went to my website and sent me an email, what part of the “Do Not Follow Me Home” message did you not understand?

1. I do not do paid work on any site that’s been mentioned on the forums.
2. If you have a follow up question, ask it here. I do not provide private support for non-clients.
3. Can you be a client? See point 1.

@sterndata

Do you know what’s the problem with the constant popups i get on most sites?
I close them immediately! And sometimes miss the important ones!
I am not trying to be funny. It’s the truth!

Won’t happen again! This forum is too valuable to mess around!

• This reply was modified 7 years, 2 months ago by johnatanasoff.
• This reply was modified 7 years, 2 months ago by johnatanasoff.

So, by do not edit core files, I meant (1) you’re likely to mess things up, (2) any changes you make will be blown away on an update, and (3) you’re likely to mess things up.

@sterndata

Can tweaking theme related files mess WP? They are isolated right?

Such as: wp-content\themes\onetone\home-sections\section-1.php

Might break updating the theme itself but won’t break WP?

The best is still what you told me right?
– Using “Additional CSS” option in the customizer.
– If editing theme files, working in a child theme.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 2 months ago by johnatanasoff.
• This reply was modified 7 years, 2 months ago by johnatanasoff.

– Using “Additional CSS” option in the customizer.
– If editing theme files, working in a child theme.

Yes.

You can break things with a theme file, but switching themes will bring your site back so you can fix it.