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PHP and Typecho Theme Customization Guide: From Basics to Advanced

M66 2025-06-18

PHP and Typecho Theme Customization Steps

Typecho is a simple yet easy-to-use PHP blogging program with powerful theme customization features. It allows users to easily customize their websites. This article will guide you through the steps of theme customization using PHP and Typecho, providing code examples to help you get started quickly.

Step 1: Create Theme Directory and Files

First, create a new theme folder under the themes directory in Typecho, such as “mytheme.” Inside this folder, create another folder with the theme name (e.g., “mytheme”), and inside this folder, create an index.php file as the theme's entry point.

Step 2: Edit the Theme Entry File

Open the index.php file and add the following code:

<?php
/** 
 * Theme entry file
 */
if (!defined('__TYPECHO_ROOT_DIR__')) exit;
$this->need('header.php');
while ($this->next()): 
    // Article content
    $this->title();
    $this->content();
endwhile;
$this->need('footer.php');

This code is a basic example of a Typecho theme entry file. The $this->need() function is used to include the header and footer template files. The while ($this->next()) loop iterates over each article, and $this->title() and $this->content() are used to output the article's title and content.

Step 3: Edit the Webpage Header Template

In the theme directory, create a header.php file and add the following code:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <title><?php $this->archiveTitle(array('category' => _t('Articles under category "%s"'), 'search' => _t('Articles containing the keyword "%s"'), 'tag' => _t('Articles under tag "%s"'), 'author' => _t('Articles by author "%s"')), '', ' - '); ?><?php $this->options->title(); ?></title>
</head>
<body>

This code defines the webpage's header template. The $this->archiveTitle() function is used to output the page title, and the title dynamically changes depending on the context (e.g., category, search keyword, tag, or author).

Step 4: Edit the Webpage Footer Template

In the theme directory, create a footer.php file and add the following code:

<footer>
    <?php echo date('Y'); ?> <?php $this->options->title(); ?>
</footer>
</body>
</html>

This code defines the footer template. The <?php echo date('Y'); ?> outputs the current year, and $this->options->title() outputs the website's title.

Step 5: Activate the Theme

After completing the above steps, copy the theme folder (e.g., “mytheme”) into the themes directory of Typecho. Then, go to the Typecho admin panel, click on "Appearance" settings, and set the newly added theme as the active theme.

Conclusion

This article explains how to customize a website theme using PHP and Typecho. The steps covered include creating theme directories, editing the theme entry file, modifying the webpage header and footer templates, and enabling the theme. With these simple steps, you can easily customize your Typecho theme based on your needs.

This is just a basic example, and actual theme customization may involve more complex features and styling. However, by following the steps and code examples provided in this article, you will have a solid understanding of how to use PHP and Typecho for website theme customization. We wish you success in your theme customization journey!