Now that you’ve installed and verified Thesis, you can install Less on your WordPress website. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process.
In This Guide
- Recommended Method:
- Advanced Method:
Don’t have Thesis? Download and install Thesis, then meet back here to continue installing Less.
Note: This tutorial is intended for brand new installs of Less. If you’re updating from an older version, check out our guide on how to update Less for more details.
Downloading the Less theme file
To get started, log in to your LightlyStyled account. Once logged in, locate Less License near the top of the page.
Don’t have a LightlyStyled account? You’ll need to purchase Less. This will give you access to the Less theme file.
To download Less, press the Download button on your Less license. This will save the less.zip file to your computer.
Note: Sometimes, this file might automatically unzip when you download it, turning into a regular folder. But, for using the WordPress uploader, it needs to be a zipped folder.
For more information on how to zip and unzip files, check out these guides for Windows and Mac systems.
Installing Less on your website
Once you’ve downloaded the Less theme file to your computer, log into the WordPress installation where you’d like to install Less.
- Once logged in, go to  Thesis → Manage Skins.
- Next, press the Upload a new Skin button and then the Choose File button. Select the zip file you just downloaded.
- After your file is chosen, press the Add Skin button. This will begin the installation process.
- After Less is installed, locate it in the list of available Skins and press the Activate Skin button to make it the active Skin for your website.
Installing Less using an FTP client
Pro Tip: This installation method is intended for advanced users or those experiencing trouble when installing Thesis using our recommended install method.
The advanced installation involves installing Less using an FTP client and uploading the theme files to your server. To get started, download the Less theme file.
Note: After downloading the less.zip file to your computer, you need to unzip it to convert it into a regular folder.
For more information on how to zip and unzip files, check out these guides for Windows and Mac systems.
Once you’ve downloaded the Less theme file and converted it into a regular folder, connect to your server using your preferred FTP client.
Pro Tip: Always check your website host’s documentation for any specific steps they may give for using an FTP client to manage your website.
- Once connected, go to the
/wp-contentfolder, followed by the/thesisfolder, and finally, enter the/skinsdirectory. - Upload the entire Less theme folder into the
/skinsdirectory on your server. - After uploading the Less theme folder to your server, log into the WordPress installation where you’d like to install Less.
- Once logged in, go to Thesis → Manage Skins and locate Less in the list of available Skins.
- Press the Activate Skin button to make it the active Skin for your website.
That’s it! What’s next? How to verify your Less license