Title: Discussion: Theme Activation Standards
Author: Chip Bennett
Published: April 3, 2014
Last modified: July 22, 2014

---

 [  ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipbennett/) [Chip Bennett](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipbennett/)
2:53 pm _on_ April 3, 2014     
Tags: [Guidelines ( 34 )](https://make.wordpress.org/themes/tags/guidelines/)

# Discussion: Theme Activation Standards

Currently, we are proposing a change to the Guidelines that would blanket-prohibit
Themes from adding admin notices, redirects, or other similar functionality on Theme
activation. The intent of the Guideline is to curtail the proliferation of nuisance/
obtrusive Theme marketing in the user’s Admin.

In the vast majority of cases, such activation functionality should not be needed.
Themes are required to use add_theme_page() to add a Settings page, which ensures
that end users can always find the Theme’s settings page under the Appearance admin
menu. The new requirement for sane defaults will ensure that Themes will always 
work “out of the box”, at least at a baseline (i.e. no-broken-sites) level. The 
recommendation for Themes to hook settings into the CustomizerCustomizer Tool built
into WordPress core that hooks into most modern themes. You can use it to preview
and modify many of your site’s appearance settings. will help ensure that end users
can visually preview Theme settings changes via the coreCore Core is the set of 
software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. 
Customizer (Appearance -> Customize). And the Contextual Help APIAPI An API or Application
Programming Interface is a software intermediary that allows programs to interact
with each other and share data in limited, clearly defined ways. ensures that Theme
developers can add as much rich-text setup/configuration detail as necessary.

That said, there is still room for appropriate, standardized admin interventions
on Theme activation. If we can agree on a consensus for standard admin interventions,
then the Guidelines could reflect that consensus, and reviewers would have an objective
standard to use when reviewing Themes.

So, let’s discuss. What’s appropriate? What isn’t? How can we define appropriateness
objectively?

[#guidelines](https://make.wordpress.org/themes/tags/guidelines/)

### Share this:

 * [  Threads ](https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2014/04/03/discussion-theme-activation-standards/?share=threads)
 * [  Mastodon ](https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2014/04/03/discussion-theme-activation-standards/?share=mastodon)
 * [  Bluesky ](https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2014/04/03/discussion-theme-activation-standards/?share=bluesky)
 * [  Facebook ](https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2014/04/03/discussion-theme-activation-standards/?share=facebook)
 * [  X ](https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2014/04/03/discussion-theme-activation-standards/?share=x)
 * [  LinkedIn ](https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2014/04/03/discussion-theme-activation-standards/?share=linkedin)

 * [Login to Reply](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fmake.wordpress.org%2Fthemes%2F2014%2F04%2F03%2Fdiscussion-theme-activation-standards%2F%23respond&locale=en_US)

 1.  ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0c1507087b08fa2855433f8de368101c26bf07327dee7cb33463858927056b89?
     s=32&d=mm&r=g)
 2.   [Han](https://profiles.wordpress.org/hwijaya/)  3:28 pm _on_ April 3, 2014
 3.  How about adding admin notice about important changes of the new version? For 
     example when we move the headerHeader The header of your site is typically the
     first thing people will experience. The masthead or header art located across 
     the top of your page is part of the look and feel of your website. It can influence
     a visitor’s opinion about your content and you/ your organization’s brand. It 
     may also look different on different screen sizes. and footer script, or custom
     css feature from theme to a pluginPlugin A plugin is a piece of software containing
     a group of functions that can be added to a WordPress website. They can extend
     functionality or add new features to your WordPress websites. WordPress plugins
     are written in the PHP programming language and integrate seamlessly with WordPress.
     These can be free in the WordPress.org Plugin Directory [https://wordpress.org/plugins/](https://wordpress.org/plugins/)
     or can be cost-based plugin from a third-party..
 4.   * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a15532e2de67c56ac93ed4e3a26c5b139bf8450f788262910590cd2991b7874c?
        s=32&d=mm&r=g)
      *  [Jose Castaneda](https://profiles.wordpress.org/jcastaneda/)  11:45 pm _on_
        July 22, 2014
      * That sounds more like it should be a coreCore Core is the set of software required
        to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. implementation
        rather than being handled by themes.
 5.  ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/770f144e6ebd7622e20d3a8c65c2c2274bda4f387db99180563d6112d361ead4?
     s=32&d=mm&r=g)
 6.   [mudthemes](https://profiles.wordpress.org/mudthemes/)  7:04 am _on_ April 4,
     2014
 7.  Even if the theme redirects the user after activation, the redirect must be to
     a page where only the documentation regarding the theme configuration is written.
 8.   * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d96a01b345ca0956dc08e3a4c611e20cf3406be0f4d1affcfe83f8ffa9cdbf61?
        s=32&d=mm&r=g)
      *  [eminozlem](https://profiles.wordpress.org/eminozlem/)  5:51 pm _on_ April
        4, 2014
      * I think the extent may be defined with two rules a.) The redirected page should
        be theme’s page (most likely options page or documentation help page) b.) The
        page should be a related page and not advertising purpose page. Just like the
        same in many rules such as author & theme uri etc.
 9.  ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d96a01b345ca0956dc08e3a4c611e20cf3406be0f4d1affcfe83f8ffa9cdbf61?
     s=32&d=mm&r=g)
 10.  [eminozlem](https://profiles.wordpress.org/eminozlem/)  9:16 am _on_ April 4,
     2014
 11. I don’t understand what’s the big deal with redirection on activation. It’s essential
     for themes with Option Framework that the options are initially saved for the 
     theme to properly function.
      If you put your mind to it you can use anything out
     of its intended purposes so I think it’s not fair to punish everyone else because
     of the aggresive advertisers by prohibiting all kinds of redirecting / notice 
     boxes that could otherwise prove useful.
 12. Semi OT: You mentioned sth. about the screenshot. I totally agree with that, screenshot
     guidelines shouldnt be that restrictive. After all, no theme ever really does 
     look like the demo out-of-the-box. Screenshots should be allowed to display what
     theme might look like with proper modifications and / or content.
      Also I dont
     see any harm including other material in screenshot (like theme options). I mean
     some themes provide 4 theme options, others a hundred. It’d be eye-catching and
     easier for the user to spot the one for them if other aspects are allowed in the
     screenshot.
 13.  * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7d256f7b605361e4dc402138e2896ff727d2a13d669f1420a8644d12a90bb7af?
        s=32&d=mm&r=g)
      *  [Chip Bennett](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipbennett/)  2:23 pm _on_ 
        April 4, 2014
      * > It’s essential for themes with Option Framework that the options are initially
        > saved for the theme to properly function.
      * This statement is untrue. Refer back to the Sane Defaults requirement. Properly
        implemented Theme options work out of the box, using developer-determined sane
        defaults, without any user configuration required. Themes that “break” if the
        user doesn’t configure Theme options have not properly implemented those Theme
        options.
      * > If you put your mind to it you can use anything out of its intended purposes
        > so I think it’s not fair to punish everyone else because of the aggresive
        > advertisers by prohibiting all kinds of redirecting / notice boxes that could
        > otherwise prove useful.
      * I do agree, which is why I’ve linked to a separate discussion, so that we can
        work out some meaningful standards/guidelines.
      * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7d256f7b605361e4dc402138e2896ff727d2a13d669f1420a8644d12a90bb7af?
        s=32&d=mm&r=g)
      *  [Chip Bennett](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipbennett/)  3:02 pm _on_ 
        April 4, 2014
      * > It’s essential for themes with Option Framework that the options are initially
        > saved for the theme to properly function.
      * This statement is untrue. Refer back to the Sane Defaults requirement. Properly
        implemented Theme options work out of the box, using developer-determined sane
        defaults, without any user configuration required. Themes that “break” if the
        user doesn’t configure Theme options have not properly implemented those Theme
        options.
      * > If you put your mind to it you can use anything out of its intended purposes
        > so I think it’s not fair to punish everyone else because of the aggresive
        > advertisers by prohibiting all kinds of redirecting / notice boxes that could
        > otherwise prove useful.
      * I do agree, which is why I’ve linked to a separate discussion, so that we can
        work out some meaningful standards/guidelines. Please provide feedback there.
 14. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/66cabd79431b374d479f45aa7d2a02353bd6941a344148ad9cb28ef9f002cb73?
     s=32&d=mm&r=g)
 15.  [tskk](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tskk/)  2:35 pm _on_ April 4, 2014
 16. I have opposed banning redirection in earlier discussion too, taking the user 
     back to themes page after activation is meaningless, doesn’t serve any purpose,
     they have to click on theme options link and go select options anyway to get the
     best out of the theme. Wasting their time and effort is no good.
 17. Redirecting to theme options should be allowed.
 18.  * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7d256f7b605361e4dc402138e2896ff727d2a13d669f1420a8644d12a90bb7af?
        s=32&d=mm&r=g)
      *  [Chip Bennett](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipbennett/)  3:07 pm _on_ 
        April 4, 2014
      * I disagree that user configuration of Theme options should be _necessary_. 
        That’s partly why we’re adding a requirement for Sane Defaults. Users should
        know where to _find_ the Theme Settings page should they choose to modify any
        of the defaults; users should not be _forced_ to deal with settings configuration
        out-of-the-box.
      * Theme-activation redirection UXUX UX is an acronym for User Experience - the
        way the user uses the UI. Think ‘what they are doing’ and less about how they
        do it. is something that should be defined and handled by coreCore Core is 
        the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds
        WordPress., IMHO.
      * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/987ef7bf8a72a011aa249f6cee71130ee27968bee77dd6985d27160d5ba06143?
        s=32&d=mm&r=g)
      *  Anonymous User  3:21 pm _on_ April 4, 2014
      * I disagree with this.
      * When a user installs a theme, the experience should be the same, no matter 
        what theme he just installed. Forcing the user to visit another screen without
        any action from his part makes the experience very confusing, especially if
        it doesn’t happen that way consistently.
      * Imagine that you are a user. You found this great theme, installed it and activated
        it. The last thing you want to see is an options panel. You want to see how
        your site looks with this theme applied!
      * Is the current theme activation experience as good as it can be? Probably not,
        but the CoreCore Core is the set of software required to run WordPress. The
        Core Development Team builds WordPress. team has been working on this, and 
        they will continue to iterate on it. We should let Core handle this, because
        it is part of the core experience of WordPress.
      * Themes should look good without having to configure options. Nobody likes setting
        up something, it is boring and often complicated.
      * Also if a user can’t figure out quickly how to get a free theme to look like
        he wants, he’ll either post a support forumSupport Forum WordPress Support 
        Forums is a place to go for help and conversations around using WordPress. 
        Also the place to go to report issues that are caused by errors with the WordPress
        code and implementations. message or just download another theme. Either way
        that is not the outcome you want to achieve.
         - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/213ffa27eb35ac4a16040157d8d9d8c9a1be19971a387774a8891893215ed084?
           s=32&d=mm&r=g)
         -  [Emil Uzelac](https://profiles.wordpress.org/emiluzelac/)  5:46 pm _on_
           April 4, 2014
         - I am all in favor to let coreCore Core is the set of software required to
           run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. do its job and
           handle the activation the way it was set by default.
 19. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/99ac6675ed857de8d430540da76a7eb2da6606d034dcdfd38e6b0e05e4b5c98e?
     s=32&d=mm&r=g)
 20.  [Devin Price](https://profiles.wordpress.org/downstairsdev/)  4:02 pm _on_ April
     4, 2014
 21. I don’t think we should do a blanket-prohibition of admin notices. I am using 
     two in the latest version of Portfolio Press if users are upgrading (so, actually,
     re-activation). One is a notice about important updates in the version, along 
     with a link to a post about them. A second notifies users that they should update
     their Reading Settings. I think room should be left in the theme review guidelines
     for situations like this.
 22. I agree that upsell and marketing links should not be allowed on activation.
 23. I agree that notices about an option panel do not need to be displayed on activation.
     Users are becoming more aware about the “Customize” link. Good theme documentation
     can also help educate users.
 24. [@eminozlem](https://profiles.wordpress.org/eminozlem/), Chip is absolutely right
     about defaults in Options Framework. You should pass a default when you call an
     option, e.g. of_get_option( ‘my-option’, ‘default’ ), if the theme requires something
     other than “false” as the reply if the option is not set. Does that make sense?
     Happy to explain more if needed: [http://wptheming.com/contact](http://wptheming.com/contact)
 25.  * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d96a01b345ca0956dc08e3a4c611e20cf3406be0f4d1affcfe83f8ffa9cdbf61?
        s=32&d=mm&r=g)
      *  [eminozlem](https://profiles.wordpress.org/eminozlem/)  9:13 pm _on_ April
        4, 2014
      * Sure, my theme with OF does work defaults. But there are other specific reasons
        my implementation of the theme is better with an initial redirect (refresh)
        on activation.
         I agree with notices.The point is, no matter what the case 
        is, be that notice, redirection, prompt or whatever, I think all should be 
        allowed as long as it’s used in good faith and not in an abusive manner for
        marketing purposes.
 26. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e3b3ba7c37c496982b2aedba65d12b0f51079d7453009f5f1f872930589c865f?
     s=32&d=mm&r=g)
 27.  [@mercime](https://profiles.wordpress.org/mercime/)  2:50 am _on_ April 5, 2014
 28. +1 blanket-prohibit Themes from adding admin notices, redirects, or other similar
     functionality on Theme activation.
 29. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/bd324e0732e0f74200d26f781b3f9734a33f1c607da85984ff1f87191305fe65?
     s=32&d=mm&r=g)
 30.  [CyberChimps](https://profiles.wordpress.org/cyberchimps/)  6:13 am _on_ April
     8, 2014
 31. We’re strongly opposed to banning all theme activation notices.
 32. Some kind of default activation notice is required to alert users of a successful
     activation and what to do next.
 33. A better solution would be to have a default activation notice similar to what
     we’ve built into Responsive that directs users to theme options and documentation.
 34. In a perfect world, we’d all love if a theme just worked out of the box, but the
     truth is users need a help in knowing what the next step is to configure their
     website, and some customization will always be required, and the CustomizerCustomizer
     Tool built into WordPress core that hooks into most modern themes. You can use
     it to preview and modify many of your site’s appearance settings. does not include
     all use cases yet.
 35. When .org forced us to removed redirects in our themes we saw significant increases
     in theme abandonment, and increased support from people who could not locate the
     theme options. Adding a customize button to the wp-admin bar is an illogical UIUI
     UI is an acronym for User Interface - the layout of the page the user interacts
     with. Think ‘how are they doing that’ and less about what they are doing. progression
     that most users don’t follow.
 36. Also, what about notices for companion plugins? Does this proposal intend to ban
     those as well?
 37.  * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/987ef7bf8a72a011aa249f6cee71130ee27968bee77dd6985d27160d5ba06143?
        s=32&d=mm&r=g)
      *  Anonymous User  6:55 pm _on_ April 8, 2014
      * TGM PluginPlugin A plugin is a piece of software containing a group of functions
        that can be added to a WordPress website. They can extend functionality or 
        add new features to your WordPress websites. WordPress plugins are written 
        in the PHP programming language and integrate seamlessly with WordPress. These
        can be free in the WordPress.org Plugin Directory [https://wordpress.org/plugins/](https://wordpress.org/plugins/)
        or can be cost-based plugin from a third-party. Activation notices or similar
        are not prohibited by this guideline.
      * The CustomizerCustomizer Tool built into WordPress core that hooks into most
        modern themes. You can use it to preview and modify many of your site’s appearance
        settings. has been introduced a while ago, and users definitely are getting
        used to it. Having to go to a separate options page to configure the front 
        end of your website is more illogical than a contextually relevant and prominent
        link to the Customizer.
      * I agree that there will always be users that struggle with setting up a theme,
        and we should help those. But I think that overly complicated themes are more
        to blame than the banning of admin notices or redirects.
      * Instead of every theme shop rolling their own, we should use the feedback and
        experiences made to develop a CoreCore Core is the set of software required
        to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. proposal that
        will alleviate some of these pain points.
         - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/bd324e0732e0f74200d26f781b3f9734a33f1c607da85984ff1f87191305fe65?
           s=32&d=mm&r=g)
         -  [CyberChimps](https://profiles.wordpress.org/cyberchimps/)  12:21 am _on_
           April 17, 2014
         - The CustomizerCustomizer Tool built into WordPress core that hooks into 
           most modern themes. You can use it to preview and modify many of your site’s
           appearance settings. is fine for front end settings, but what about template
           configurations? Layouts?
         - The Customizer is a great tool, but not an end to theme options.
         - We would love standardized ways of addressing these pain points, which is
           why we would prefer if admin notices aren’t banned until a solution is actually
           in place.
      * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/213ffa27eb35ac4a16040157d8d9d8c9a1be19971a387774a8891893215ed084?
        s=32&d=mm&r=g)
      *  [Emil Uzelac](https://profiles.wordpress.org/emiluzelac/)  4:13 am _on_ April
        14, 2014
      * Companion plugins are excluded from the get-go and proposal does not affect
        them.
      * Please note that [@chipbennett](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipbennett/)
        was asking and not making solo decisions here, otherwise this post would not
        even exist.
      * What is the best way to handle the activation and can we standardize?
      * Emil
 38. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/85a6eee5704fdfdae277fa7460bf7c9d8e7e0faad33929104322187ce1164f5e?
     s=32&d=mm&r=g)
 39.  [sanerdesign](https://profiles.wordpress.org/sanerdesign/)  10:22 am _on_ April
     8, 2014
 40. I’m all for standardizing the theme activation notices rather than applying a 
     blanket ban. I really feel that the admin notices can benefit the user if we can
     agree on the information that is displayed.
      This is just a suggestion, from my
     experience, but I think the following should be allowed in an agreed layout:
 41. Thank you message
      Link to developers site Link to the options if the developer
     isn’t just using customizerCustomizer Tool built into WordPress core that hooks
     into most modern themes. You can use it to preview and modify many of your site’s
     appearance settings. (optional) Link to that theme’s support pages
 42. It’s important to link to the developer in recognition of their hard work.
      A 
     link to the theme options, I feel, is still important whilst they still exist.
     Theme options allow the developer to not just add options but to add a lot more
     information than they could on the customizer. Yes I am talking upselling (dirty
     word I know). Whilst we are probably all against over-the-top upselling and promotion
     of pro options etc we also have to accept that businesses are making money from
     this format and it is that money that pays for ongoing development and support
     of the theme. If we make it too difficult for developers to upsell we could end
     up with a lot of poorly supported themes that don’t get developed. I do think 
     that this would be bad for the end user. The link to support pages is self explanatory
     but it is really important to let the user know immediately that there is somewhere
     to get help if they struggle with their chosen theme.
 43. Whilst I believe that it is the user experience that is always the most important
     for every action that we take we should consider the developer and their business
     for it will always be them that keep the WordPress themes fresh, supported and
     developed.
 44. Hugo
 45. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3580c89c6189fc3e3462675c4b62a11bb1fbfd2597243637e4b36d7aefca30e4?
     s=32&d=mm&r=g)
 46.  [Schwarttzy](https://profiles.wordpress.org/schwarttzy/)  4:04 am _on_ April 
     9, 2014
 47. I don’t understand why after a theme gets activated that they get redirected to
     the page “Appearance.” Are they trying see how many themes they can activate in
     a minute or what? What’s so wrong with a page explaining the theme? Or possibly
     things they may want to do now that they activated this theme?
 48. Why is it so crucial that they get taken back to all the other possible themes
     they could change too?
 49.  * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/bd324e0732e0f74200d26f781b3f9734a33f1c607da85984ff1f87191305fe65?
        s=32&d=mm&r=g)
      *  [CyberChimps](https://profiles.wordpress.org/cyberchimps/)  1:09 am _on_ April
        10, 2014
      * +1.
      * Valid points.
      * The explanation I was told was because they want to improve the on boarding
        process for WordPress, and there is some concern that a lack of selection for
        themes may be a pain point. However, they are simply creating a user experience
        nightmare with all of these new rules.
 50. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7b4c8e2413c3cf4768d958fa7257e7f2585760d399a686b0c2e86415b8c796b4?
     s=32&d=mm&r=g)
 51.  [nikeo](https://profiles.wordpress.org/nikeo/)  2:13 pm _on_ April 21, 2014
 52. Hi,
      This follows a discussion with [@chipbennet](https://profiles.wordpress.org/chipbennet/)
     and [@catchtheme](https://profiles.wordpress.org/catchtheme/) during a theme review(
     [https://themes.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/18164](https://themes.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/18164)).
 53. We were wondering about the possibility to incorporate links into the top admin
     bar.
      In my case (Customizr theme), I have added a “Help” button in the admin 
     bar which is visible both on back end and front end for a user connected. Users
     can have an almost direct link to the support forumSupport Forum WordPress Support
     Forums is a place to go for help and conversations around using WordPress. Also
     the place to go to report issues that are caused by errors with the WordPress 
     code and implementations. on WP.org, the FAQ or the theme ‘s documentation if 
     they feel lost. I think this makes the theme more user’s friendly and this is 
     not redundant with the built-in WP links already displayed in this bar like : 
     add a new post,/page…, link to dashboard, search, …
 54. Many popular plugins are elevating those kind of links in the admin bar and I 
     think that’s often really interesting from a user experience perspective too.
 55. I would love to have your point of view/feedback about this and hope that we could
     come up with consistent guidelines for the WP themes.

### Leave a Reply 󠀁[Cancel reply](https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2014/04/03/discussion-theme-activation-standards/?output_format=md#respond)󠁿

You must be [logged in](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fmake.wordpress.org%2Fthemes%2F2014%2F04%2F03%2Fdiscussion-theme-activation-standards%2F&locale=en_US)
to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. [Learn how your comment data is processed.](https://akismet.com/privacy/)

# Post navigation

[← WordPress 3.9 Guidelines Revision Proposal: Round 2](https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2014/04/03/wordpress-3-9-guidelines-revision-proposal-round-2/)

[How To Ensure Your Ticket Passes Final Approval Audit →](https://make.wordpress.org/themes/2014/04/07/how-to-ensure-your-ticket-passes-final-approval-audit/)