Trying to get started with template customization

I seem to missing something. Where or how exactly do you get to the language files--i.e. /includes/languages/english.php and the like? Is it zen-cart/includes...? My last hangup in opening up for business is this step. Also, how exactly do you copy the template to a custom folder to protect it? Thank you for all of your help!

TheresaJB

To answer your question(s) would require a mini novel. :smile:

You can use the Tutorial/FAQ link, top of this page, for more info on what you need. Search for 'templates' and you should be able to find lots of info.

I realize my question was too broad. A better one would be where exactly to start? Do I need to download a text editor to get to the language files being referred to? Which would you recommend? Thanx again!

TheresaJB

english.php is a standard Zen Cart file included with the install.

To create a very basic custom template (you can build from there), you need:

• includes/languages/YOUR_TEMPLATE/english.php
• includes/languages/english/YOUR_TEMPLATE/index.php
• includes/languages/english/YOUR_TEMPLATE/meta_tags.php
• includes/languages/english/YOUR_TEMPLATE/header.php (to change the logo)
• includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/template_info.php
• includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/common/tpl_header.php <- may not be necessary
• includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/common/tpl_footer.php <- may not be necessary
• includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/images/logo.gif
• includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/css/stylesheet.css

Anywhere you see a /classic/ folder, you can create a folder for your custom template. You can copy the necessary files from either the /classic/ folder, the /template_default/ folder or the parent folder.

Edit includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/template_info.php to give your template identifying information so you'll recognize it in the admin under tools->template selection.

A good text editor is best to edit php files. Crimson Editor and Notepad++ are good ones you can download for free from the net. If you need an FTP client, FileZilla is a good free one.

Thank you, Mary Ellen. The basic instructions you sent will be very helpful. I guess the only missing link is to get to includes/languages/... Maybe it's staring me in the face and I'm just not seeing it, but where exactly to I go on the site to get to these listings you provided? I've been working from Administration, or is it somewhere else on Zen Cart's site? I've also just downloaded Crimson Editor. Thank you for your advice.

TheresaJB

You need an FTP client to access the files on your site.

Many here use Filezilla (free). I like the FireFTP plugin for Firefox (also free).

Once you have that installed, just point it to your domain and enter the user name and password you use to access your site's control panel, and you'll see the file directories.

The 'root' directory is often (but not always) public_html and your Zencart installation may be in a subdirectory called store, or shop, or something.

Once you find the file you want to edit, drag it to your computer in the FTP client window and open it in Crimson Editor. Make your changes, save the file, and send it back to the proper override (custom) folder on the server.

Don't let all this intimidate you - it's really pretty simple once you've done it.

Thank you, Stevesh. I've installed Filezilla; however, I haven't been able to get past the host, username and password. It keeps giving me a "Could not connect to server" message. I've tried different entries. Shouldn't it be my domain name that gets me into ZenCart's cpanel? (mydomain.com/shop/admin) ...then the username and password for that site? This is truly a humbling experience!

No. It's the user name and password that gets you into your hosting account.

If your hosting company uses CPanel. it would be the user name and password that let you in to https://www.yoursite.com/cpanel

Many thanks for all of your above instruction. Things have been going along very well. I think I'm beginning to get the hang how all of this works. However, one more thing...
After I've saved anything in my new Custom folders, how do I "upload to server?" I'm assuming this means that I need to send this to the ZenCart Administration cpanel where my new info will show up as an option in Template Selection. Is this done from Crimson Editor, ZenCart Admin or through Filezilla?
Again, many thanks for your help!

Theresajb

Filezilla is probably best. You could also upload through the file manager in CPanel, but I prefer an FTP client.