Before you can get started with Less, you’ll need to install Thesis on your WordPress website. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process.
In This Guide
- Recommended Method:
- Advanced Method:
Note: This tutorial is intended for brand new installs of Thesis. If you’re updating from an older version, check out our guide on how to update Thesis for more details.
Downloading the Thesis theme file
To get started, log in to your DIYthemes account. Once logged in, locate My Licenses near the top of the page.
Don’t have a DIYthemes account? You’ll need to purchase Focus. Focus includes license keys for both Thesis and Focus.
My Licenses displays all of your available licenses. To download Thesis, press the Download button on your Thesis license. This will save the thesis.zip file to your computer.
Press the Download button on your Thesis license
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 Thesis on your website
Once you’ve downloaded the Thesis theme file to your computer, log into the WordPress installation where you’d like to install Thesis.
- Once logged in, go to Appearance → Themes → Add New Theme and press Upload Theme.
- Next, you’ll see an option to upload the theme. Press the Choose File button and select the zip file you just downloaded.
- After your file is uploaded, press the Install Now button. This will begin the installation process.
- After Thesis is installed, press the Activate link to make it the active theme for your website.
Installing Thesis 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 Thesis using an FTP client and uploading the theme files to your server. To get started, download the Thesis theme file.
Note: After downloading the thesis.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 Thesis 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 and then enter the/themesdirectory. - Upload the entire Thesis theme folder into the
/themesdirectory on your server. - After uploading the Thesis theme folder to your server, log into the WordPress installation where you’d like to install Thesis.
- Once logged in, go to Appearance → Themes and press the Activate button on the Thesis theme to make it the active theme for your website.
That’s it! What’s next? How to verify your Thesis license