How to Install WordPress Plugins and Themes from GitHub

Learn how to Install WordPress Plugins and Themes from GitHub in this guide. As you are probably already aware, there are a wide variety of WordPress themes and plugins that can be downloaded and installed from a variety of different sources. You are required to visit specific locations in order to download either of these, as there are currently a great number of both being developed.

When it comes to managing the version control of their projects, a significant number of WordPress theme and plugin developers use GitHub. Consequently, this indicates that all of their code and files are accessible to anyone who wishes to view them or download them. The manual installation of WordPress plugins from GitHub, on the other hand, can be a time-consuming process.

It should come as no surprise that there are tools available that can assist you in accelerating the process of installing plugins and themes from GitHub sources. Depending on the method that you select, you have the ability to guarantee that every piece of software that you install will carry out an automatic update whenever the developers make modifications to its version repository. At that point, you are free to experiment with each project to the extent that you desire. Here are the simple steps how to Install WordPress Plugins and Themes from GitHub.

What is Git and How Does it Work?

There is a possibility that you are already familiar with the name GitHub; however, there is also a possibility that you are not entirely familiar with the features that it offers. With all of the technical jargon out of the way, GitHub is an open-source platform that enables you to monitor the modifications that you make to your website. By using GitHub, you will be able to create projects for your website and manage the tasks associated with its development from a single location.

In its most fundamental form, GitHub is a free hosting service that allows users to host development projects and make them accessible to the general public. This allows other members of the community to contribute to the project and make it better. When you begin using GitHub, you will quickly come to the realisation that the entire system is centred on the concept of collaboration and contributions.

How to Install WordPress Plugins and Themes from GitHub

Identify the plugin/theme

1. Find the desired plugin/theme on GitHub. Use the search bar or browse relevant repositories.
2. Ensure the plugin/theme is compatible with your WordPress version.

Download the zip file

1. Go to the repository’s main page.
2. Click on the “Code” button.
3. Select “Download ZIP”.

Install WordPress Plugins and Themes from GitHub

For Plugins

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to “Plugins” > “Add New”.
3. Click on “Upload Plugin”.
4. Click on “Choose File” and select the downloaded zip file.
5. Click on “Install Now”.
6. Once installed, click on “Activate” to start using the plugin.

For Themes

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to “Appearance” > “Themes”.
3. Click on “Add New”.
4. Click on “Upload Theme”.
5. Click on “Choose File” and select the downloaded zip file.
6. Click on “Install Now”.
7. Once installed, click on “Activate” to make it your active theme.

Why Install from GitHub? 

1. Community Contribution: GitHub projects often have active communities of developers who contribute to the codebase. Installing from GitHub allows you to benefit from these community contributions.
2. Customization: GitHub repositories may contain forks or branches with custom modifications or additional features not available in official releases. Installing from GitHub enables you to explore and utilize these customizations.
3. Early Access: Developers sometimes release experimental or beta versions of their projects on GitHub before making official releases. Installing from GitHub grants you early access to these versions if you’re interested in testing new features or providing feedback.
4. Transparency: GitHub provides transparency into the codebase, including commit history, issues, and pull requests. This transparency can help users assess the quality and reliability of the software before installation.
5. Dependency Management: For developers, installing from GitHub can facilitate dependency management, as projects often specify GitHub repositories as dependencies in package managers like npm, pip, or Maven.

Benefits of Installing Plugins and Themes from GitHub

1. GitHub has a huge collection of plugins and themes, so users can pick from a lot of different options. Users can find solutions that fit their needs thanks to this flexibility.
2. Newest Updates: Developers often add changes and updates directly to GitHub repositories. Users can get the newest features and bug fixes right away by installing plugins and themes from GitHub. They don’t have to wait for them to be released through other channels.
3. Contribution from the Community: GitHub creates a space for developers to work together on open-source projects. Installing plugins and themes from GitHub may lead to a more robust and actively maintained ecosystem by getting more people to participate in the community.
4. Transparency: GitHub lets you see the codebases of plugins and themes. Users can look at the source code, report bugs, suggest ways to make it better, or even “fork” the repository to make it fit their needs. This level of openness builds trust and lets users know that the software they are installing is safe and of good quality.
5. Customisation: Plugins and themes hosted on GitHub are often very easy to change. Developers can easily change the code to meet their specific design or functionality needs. This gives users a customised experience that they might not be able to get with other pre-packaged solutions.
6. Integration with Development Workflow: Installing plugins and themes from GitHub is a seamless part of the development workflow for developers. They can copy repositories, make changes locally, and then push those changes back to GitHub. This speeds up the process of developing and deploying code.

Conclusion

It is true that the WordPress Plugin Directory is the most popular destination for people looking to download free plugins; however, it is not the only place where plugins can be found. The project hosting service known as GitHub also serves as a host for a significant number of WordPress projects. The process of finding and installing WordPress themes and plugins through GitHub is still a straightforward one, despite the fact that it is not particularly hassle-free.

Questions and Answers