How to install WordPress plugins and themes from GitHub

Why install plugins and themes from GitHub?

Usually, WordPress users install plugins and themes from WordPress.org, but there are many high-quality plugins and themes that are also published on GitHub, which is a popular code hosting platform among open-source developers.

Since GitHub is not specifically designed for use with WordPress, new users may be confused about how to download and install plugins or themes from this platform. This article will provide a detailed guide on how to install and update plugins or themes from GitHub.

What is GitHub?

GitHub is a code hosting platform that supports open-source projects using the Git version control system. Developers can easily collaborate, share code, and track project changes.

For WordPress, many developers choose to use GitHub to publish plugins and themes before uploading them to WordPress.org, allowing direct access to the latest versions.

How to install WordPress plugins and themes from GitHub

1. Download the plugin or theme from GitHub

• Go to the page of the desired plugin or theme on GitHub.
• Click the Code button and select Download ZIP.

2. Upload and install in WordPress

• Log in to WordPress and go to Plugins » Add New or Appearance » Themes » Add New
• Click the Upload Plugin/Theme button.
• Select the ZIP file downloaded from GitHub and click Install Now.
• After the installation is complete, click Activate to start using it.

How to update plugins and themes from GitHub

Normally, WordPress checks for updates through the information specified in the readme file and plugin header. However, for plugins and themes from GitHub, the automatic update system will not work unless the developer has added this feature.

1. Use the GitHub Updater plugin

Some plugins and themes may require the GitHub Updater plugin to enable automatic updates.

• Download and install GitHub Updater
• Install and activate the plugin or theme from GitHub following the above steps.
• WordPress will display the option to update like a regular plugin when there is a new version.

2. Contact the developer

If you're unsure whether a plugin or theme supports updates, you can contact the developer directly on GitHub for more information.

Additional tips:  Using GitHub for WordPress development

For developers, if you are working with a custom theme, you can set up automatic deployment from GitHub to your WordPress website.

The benefits of using GitHub to develop WordPress

• Version log: Can revert to a previous version
• Easier teamwork: Share code and collaborate with other developers conveniently.
• Deploy code automatically:  Use tools like Deploy or GitHub Actions to automatically update the theme.

If you're interested in seeing how to set up deployment from GitHub to WordPress, you can read more in our article about Automatically Deploying WordPress Themes with GitHub.

I hope this article helps you install plugins and themes from GitHub more easily. You might be interested in reading our guides on website development with code and the best plugins for code management on WordPress to further enhance your skills.