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  1. Do not mix XHTML and PHP code.
  2. Do not mix XHTML and CSS code, put the CSS code in a separate .css file.
  3. Always validate your XHTML and CSS code using the W3C validators: XHTML validator, CSS validator.
  4. Do not make SQL queries from a PHP controller ({{.php file at the root of PrestaShop); prefer the use of existing methods from the PrestaShop classes, or create new methods for these classes.
  5. Always check if a method you need does not already exist in the available classes.
  6. Always make sure to produce a clear and readable code, making it easy to maintain for anyone.
  7. Do comment your code, in English.
  8. When editing the theme on a production site, always first put the shop in maintenance mode via the back-office.
  9. Use modern browsers, such as Firefox, Google Chrome or Opera, and make sure your friends do too.
  10. Whenever possible, use CSS sprites (follow-up article.
  11. If you wish to thank PrestaShop team for its hard work, please consider donating, or spread the good word!

Customizing the default theme

Follow the following steps below to create your own theme out of the PrestaShop default theme.

1. Copy the default theme

  1. Locate the /themes directory in your PrestaShop install, and create a copy of the default ../themes/prestashop/ directory.
  2. Rename the duplicate.

Image Added

2. Modify the CSS sheet

  • In the customized theme folder (e.g., /themes/MyStoreTheme/), locate the /css folder.
  • Open the global.css file and change it according to your needs. This is where you are only limited by your creativity – and your knowledge of CSS.
    Note: the maintenance.css file, located in the same folder, controls the layout of the Maintenance Mode page.
  • New or modified images must be placed in the new theme's /img folder (e.g., /themes/MyStoreTheme/img).
Tip
titleTips from the PrestaShop development team

3. Create a preview screen shot

Once your customized theme is ready, you must place a file representing the theme, called preview.jpg, in the theme's root folder (e.g., /themes/MyStoreTheme). This file must be a 100 × 100 pixels .jpg file.

4. Test your theme

  1. Go to back-office's "Preferences" tab, then its "Appearance" and its "Themes" section.
  2. Select the new theme and click Save..

Image Added

Share your themes!

Show off your hard work, get feedback, and build your reputation by sharing your theme in the Themes section of our Forum!

You can also sell your theme to PrestaShop users through our Addons website!

Creating your own theme

PrestaShop's default theme

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File or folder

Description

preview.jpg

This image is used as a preview in the "Theme" selector in the "Preferences" > "Appearance" sub-tab. This image is mandatory, as without it the them cannot be selected. It should obviously reflect the theme's design, and not its logo or designer's name...

404.tpl

Used when the requested page is not found (HTTP error 404).

address.tpl

Used when adding or editing a client street address.

addresses.tpl

Used when listing a client's street addresses.

authentication.tpl

Used when identifying a user, or creating a new user account.

best-sales.tpl

Used to list all best sale.

breadcrumb.tpl

Used to find the navigation path, or breadcrumb trail.

category.tpl

Used to list all products in a given category.

category-tree-branch.tpl

Used only by the Category block.

category-cms-tree-branch.tpl

...

cms.tpl

Used for informational pages ("Tools" > "CMS" sub-tab).

contact-form.tpl

Used by the contact form.

discount.tpl

Used when listing all discount tickets for a single client.

errors.tpl

Used when displaying errors. Potentially called by all of the pages.

footer.tpl

Page footer.

guest-tracking.tpl

Used when a visitor has no know account on the site, but wants his order to be tracked – and therefore needs to create an account or log in.

header.tpl

Page header

history.tpl

Used when lsiting the order history of a client.

identity.tpl

Used when a client edits his/her personal information.

index.php

Blank file, prevents visitors to view the content of the folder.

index.tpl

Welcome page.

maintenance.tpl

Used when the site is in maintenance mode.

manufacturer.tpl

Used when listing all products from a single manufacturer.

manufacturer-list.tpl

Used when listing all manufacturers.

my-account.tpl

Weclome page for a client's account.

new-products.tpl

Used when listing the products that were last added to the cart.

order-address.tpl

Used during the order process: Step 1, choosing the addesses addresses (delivery, billing).

order-carrier.tpl

Used during the order process: Step 2, choosing the carrier mode.

order-confirmation.tpl

Used during the order process: Last step, confirming the order (after payment).

order-detail.tpl

Used to display the content of a client's order.

order-follow.tpl

Used when a client needs to ask for a product return.

order-opc.tpl

...

order-opc-new-account.tpl

...

order-payment.tpl

Used during the order process: Step 3, choosing the payment mode.

order-return.tpl

Used to display a client product return details.

order-slip.tpl

Used to display a client's credit slips.

order-steps.tpl

Order process progress bar.

pagination.tpl

Used by all pages that list products. Displays the pagination button, enable to skip to the next/previous page of products.

password.tpl

Used when a client needs to change his password.

prices-drop.tpl

Used to list all current promotions.

product.tpl

Used to display details for a single product.

product-list.tpl

Used by all pages that list products. Displays the actual products list.

product-sort.tpl

Used by all pages that list products. Displays a menu enabling to sort and filter products.

products-comparison.tpl

...

scenes.tpl

Used to display a scene's details within a product category.

search.tpl

Used to list results from a search query.

shopping-cart.tpl

Used to list products in a client's cart.

shopping-cart-product-line.tpl

Used to display from a single cart row.

sitemap.tpl

Used to display the site map.

store_infos.tpl

...

stores.tpl

...

supplier.tpl

Used to list all the products from a single supplier.

supplier-list.tpl

Used to list all suppliers.

thickbox.tpl

Used to zoom a productsproduct's picture.

/cache

...

/css

Contains all style sheet files for the theme. The global.css file deals with the layout for most of the site. Unless you know exactly what you are doing, you should leave these files alone.

/img

Contains all of the theme's images. You should replace these images with your own adequate creations. If you do not know what to make of it, you should leave the original files.

/js

Contains all of the theme's JavaScript files. Scripts JavaScript utilisés dans le thème. Unless you know exactly what you are doing, you should leave these files alone.

/lang

Contains all translation files. These are generated by the back-office translation tool, and should not be edit directly. If a translation needs editing, go to the back-office, "Tools" tab, "Translation" sub-tab, "Modify translation" section, and choose "Front office translations".

Customizing the default theme

Follow the following steps below to create your own theme out of the PrestaShop default theme.

1. Copy the default theme

  1. Locate the /themes directory in your PrestaShop install, and create a copy of the default ../themes/prestashop/ directory.
  2. Rename the duplicate.

Image Removed

2. Modify the CSS sheet

  • In the customized theme folder (e.g., /themes/MyStoreTheme/), locate the /css folder.
  • Open the global.css file and change it according to your needs. This is where you are only limited by your creativity – and your knowledge of CSS.
    Note: the maintenance.css file, located in the same folder, controls the layout of the Maintenance Mode page.
  • New or modified images must be placed in the new theme's /img folder (e.g., /themes/MyStoreTheme/img).
Tip
titleTips from the PrestaShop development team

3. Create a preview screen shot

Once your customized theme is ready, you must place a file representing the theme, called preview.jpg, in the theme's root folder (e.g., /themes/MyStoreTheme). This file must be a 100 × 100 pixels .jpg file.

4. Test your theme

  1. Go to back-office's "Preferences" tab, then its "Appearance" and its "Themes" section.
  2. Select the new theme and click Save..

Image Removed

Share your themes!

Show off your hard work, get feedback, and build your reputation by sharing your theme in the Themes section of our Forum!

You can also sell your theme to PrestaShop users through our Addons website!

Integration: where the hooks and modules are

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Header section

Homepage blocks

Modules

Category central column

Modules

Product page

Account forms & order steps

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