Welcome to the Treehouse Community
Want to collaborate on code errors? Have bugs you need feedback on? Looking for an extra set of eyes on your latest project? Get support with fellow developers, designers, and programmers of all backgrounds and skill levels here with the Treehouse Community! While you're at it, check out some resources Treehouse students have shared here.
Looking to learn something new?
Treehouse offers a seven day free trial for new students. Get access to thousands of hours of content and join thousands of Treehouse students and alumni in the community today.
Start your free trial
Rhonda Bradley
2,010 PointsSince I used the 1-minute install, not the manual, will any of the directions change?
The Wordpress template has never been uploaded using filezilla, because I followed the first video, which had me do the one-minute install (where you install through cpanel instead of filezilla). So I'm a little thrown off by how it will handle uploads within filezilla, since these files were actually never uploaded to begin with.
Will it want to overwrite, or will it know that the files exist?
4 Answers
Stephen Van Delinder
21,457 PointsRhonda,
If Wordpress is installed and functioning correctly on your production server (on the internet), then the only files you make changes to will need to be uploaded via FTP. These files are will be in the wp-content folder. This folder typically contains themes, child themes, and plugins.
The best way to proceed is not to open WP from filezilla. You will want to change files on your computer and then upload them to the correct folder on your server with filezilla.
Let's say you want to make changes to your stylesheet (style.css) in your child theme on your computer. Once filezilla is connected to your server, you can download the your stylesheet from the server. You can update this file on your computer, and once you are finished you can transfer the updated style.css to the folder you got it from. Usually this will be: public_html/wp-content/themes/[yourchildtheme]/style.css
When you upload the revised document, Filezilla will notify you that there is already a style.css in that folder and ask if you would like to update it. Say yes and your new stylesheet will replace the old one on the server.
Again, if wordpress is already running on your website, you do not need to FTP any files that are located outside of the wp-content folder. Uploading any documents in the wp-admin, wp-includes, or root folder will create unpredictable (and rarely favorable) results if wordpress is already installed.
I hope this helps!
Kevin Korte
28,149 PointsI think Filezilla gives you the option to over write or not.
Why go through all the time and hassle of re uploading the WP core if it's already been installed. Plus, you'll have to get the database settings from what is installed now, and match that otherwise your site would break.
If WP is already installed through C-panel, than I would only use filezilla to upload themes and plugins into the appropriate folders inside of the wp-content folder.
Rhonda Bradley
2,010 PointsSo it sounds like there will be an option to upload only certain files instead of updates (which I believe would upload all of it the first time)? Or do you mean to simply use a different folder outside of the Wordpress folder and upload from there? -
I'm stuck on child themes, copy/paste - so we are supposed to open WP from filezilla and work from there. Thank you so much for the tips, I really appreciate the help.
Rhonda Bradley
2,010 PointsThanks very much for the thorough explanation - I think I am finally beginning to understand it.
Yes, the site has already been installed, so it will be only the content theme/plugin folders that need changing. And I'm relieved to hear that I don't need the entire Wordpress structure in filezilla, because I was scared to death I would accidentally override something I shouldn't.
Thanks again - to you both - for explaining this so well!
Kevin Korte
28,149 PointsKevin Korte
28,149 PointsRhonda Bradley follow Stephen's advice. This is correct, and what I was referring to.