what files are changed with plugins

  • Resolved newtech1

    (@newtech1)


    1 year, 7 months ago

    Because of various features I have added, there are bbpress files under bbpress/templates/default/bbpress that I have manually edited. I assume if I activate and use any of the bbpress plugins that these files will be edited by the plugin. Will my edits be erased when I implement various plugin features?

    Will activating or deleting any bbpress plugins erase my edits of bbpress files like forum-topic.php, content-single-forum.php, content-single-topic.php.

    Example of bbpress plugins I am considering using. I realize that these plugins were created by various publishers, but I assume wordpress plugins work similar.
    bbp style pack, bbPress notify (no-spam), bbPress WP Tweaks, GD bbPress Attachments

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

  • Good to see some caution instead of finding out the hard way!

    Bad news:

    Any files you have in /bbpress/templates/default/bbpress/ will be overwritten every time you update bbPress. Your changes will be lost forever unless you can restore them from a backup file.

    Good news:

    No other plugins (as far as I’m aware) overwrite the template files located in /bbpress/templates/default/bbpress/

    Only bbPress itself will overwrite those files (again, as far as I’m aware).

    Even better news:

    You can make sure your custom template files are preserved no matter what by setting them up within a child theme. If you aren’t already using a child theme, I HIGHLY recommend it!

    https://developer.www.ads-software.com/themes/advanced-topics/child-themes/

    Once you have a child theme setup, you can simply copy/paste the whole /bbpress/templates/default/bbpress/ directory from the bbPress plugin into your child theme. Copy any template file you want to preserve into /wp-content/themes/your-child-theme/bbpress/ You will then have those custom templates forever without any chance of them being overwritten on accident.

    https://codex.bbpress.org/themes/theme-compatibility/getting-started-in-modifying-the-main-bbpress-template/
    (around Step#5 and below)

    https://bbpress.org/forums/topic/correct-way-to-override-bbpress-templates/
    (helper topic for clarity from @robin-w)

    Good questions! I’m marking as resolved, but feel free to chime back in if you run into issues.

    Plugin Author Robin W

    (@robin-w)

    No plugins that I know of overwrite those in bbpress.

    And as @codejp3 says you can (and should) store changed copies of any templates in a child theme.

    BUT THIS PLUGIN does have certain templates that may take precedence over ones in your child theme and those in bbpress. I have only done this where I cannot make use of bbpress’s extensive hooks and filters.

    If you find that changes you have made in a file (which you have then put in a child theme) are ignored whilst having the style pack plugin enabled, then deactivate to ensure it is style pack, and then report back here, and we can probablt guve you a workaround that is both bbpress and style pack safe.

    To add on to what @robin-w just said, currently you can find all of the specialty Style Pack templates that take priority over default bbPress templates in /wp-content/plugins/bbp-style-pack/templates/

    Not all of them get used, and some are only for specific cases. Don’t bulk copy/paste them to your child theme’s /bbpress/ directory.

    If you do run into a case where any of your custom template files are not used when Style Pack is active but get used when Style Pack is deactivated, you can post here in the support forum and we’ll probably ask you to email your custom template file(s) so that we can alter them to be bbPress/Style Pack compatible while preserving your customizations.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
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