Theme Requirements
A repo where everyone can contribute to keeping the theme requirements relevant and easy to understand and follow.
https://make.wordpress.org/themes/handbook/review/required/
About
In this repo you can open issues for:
Typos
Rewording requirements that are difficult to understand
Adding new examples to existing requirements
Report duplicate requirements
Adding new requirements
Removal of requirements
Table of Contents
1. Licensing
Include license and copyright information for the theme
Include license information for included resources
Do not display the theme authors copyright on the front
2. Naming
Do not use theme in the theme name
Do not use the parent theme's name
3. Code
There must be no PHP notices, warnings or errors
There must be no JavsScript errors
Do not remove non-presentational hooks
Core Functionality and Features
Do not modify the activation UX
Do not use features only meant for Core
Do not hide WordPress features behind a paywall
Use template tags and hooks correctly
Theme tags must match theme functionality
Use the core style for admin notices
Use WordPress functionality if available
Presentation vs Functionality
Do not use placeholder content
Hide installation instructions from logged out users
Functionality not related to design is not allowed
Use generic placeholder images
Child themes
Themes must be child theme ready
Child themes must include more than minor changes
Options and Settings
Use the correct capability for editing options
Use the customizer for options
Save options in a single array
Plugins
Plugin territory
Do not include plugin functionality
Stylesheets and Scripts
Do not hardcode scripts or styles
Include all scripts and styles
Language
Use the theme slug as textdomain
All text must be translation ready
Templates
Display front page content according to settings
4. Accessibility
5. Screenshot
Screenshot must be a reasonable presentation of the theme
Use the correct screenshot size and ratio
6. Image guidelines
7. Readme.txt file
8. Importing or Downloading
Themes must not import content
Do not include direct links to remote files
9. Documentation
10. Privacy
11. Selling, credits, and links
Do not include affiliate links
Do not use obtrusive upselling