Ankur, a WordPress block theme for everyone
Tags: wordpress
Published: 2023-11-02 02:22:32

Introducing a new WordPress block theme with support for color variations and custom patterns.

![Screenshot of Ankur](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/je5fh6ezy6edd0pq2kvr.png)

Ankur is a block theme for WordPress. It’s named after a Sanskrit word which means “flower” or “blossom,” imagery often used to depict a new beginning. At the same time, an anchor (because I love wordplay) symbolizes stability and confidence. With Ankur as the fully customizable starting point, whether as a brand new site or revamping an existing one, you can tell your story with clean typography and bold colors.

## Theme style variants

Ankur comes bundled with multiple style variants: light, dark, and three nature-themed alternates.

![Screenshot of color variations](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/lf73kgd0tenfhxklzbir.png)

To apply one of these styles, open the new Site Editor and select the Styles menu item. In the Styles sidebar, you’ll be able to pick your theme’s style.

![Screenshot of Ankur using the "woody" color theme](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/w5r19vho89cl2woafi1g.png)

Choose the one that speaks to you, and click Save to apply it to your site.

## Default patterns and customization

Ankur also comes bundled with several patterns to give you a head start in making your site your own. A little bit of everything is included: headers and footers, featured content areas, post previews, and even a custom large blockquote.

![Screenshot of Ankur's included block patterns](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/81jglktzhoijijv3hyze.png)

Remember that you don’t just have to use what Ankur provides, either. Click the three-dot menu on any pattern and select “Copy to My patterns” to customize it to your liking.

![Screenshot of a website's patterns](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/imr6ec3iivuizofbc1na.png)

## Goodbye child themes, probably

The WordPress site editor removes, in large part, the necessity to create a child theme. For style or design changes, it’s no longer a requirement; simply make your changes and save right in the editor.

My own website is, however, running a child theme of Ankur. The reason for this is — beyond simply because “Paul is a programmer” — I have custom functionality not needed for a general-purpose theme. For example, I have a color theme switcher in the site footer. The custom JavaScript for this functionality is not included in the base theme. (In fact, no custom JavaScript is included with Ankur.) Therefore, child theme.

![Screenshot of my website's footer](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/tqlsmm0zfruqz65xh6zk.png)

I also use a custom plugin and service to handle the search functionality. The service is a cloud search called Algolia (and I highly recommend them, I don’t get paid to say it but they’re awesome). The templates I use for displaying the search results are custom. So again, a child theme is necessary for that.

![Screenshot of my website's search page](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ge3mlq6qf08m67zuj12e.png)

But if you don’t need to do anything super custom, then you probably don’t need a child theme.