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Export Process

Generate and deploy your WordPress theme.

Overview​

The Export process compiles your TheDock design into a working WordPress theme:

  • CSS files from your design system
  • PHP templates from your layouts
  • JavaScript functionality
  • Theme assets (fonts, icons)

How Export Works​

What Happens During Export​

  1. CSS Generation - Design settings become stylesheets
  2. Template Compilation - Layouts become PHP template files
  3. Asset Bundling - Fonts, icons, images are packaged
  4. File Writing - Everything is written to your theme folder

Where Files Go​

Export generates files in your WordPress theme directory:

wp-content/themes/thedock/
├── style.css
├── functions.php
├── index.php
├── header.php
├── footer.php
├── template-parts/
├── assets/
│   ├── css/
│   ├── js/
│   └── fonts/
└── ...

Running Export​

From TheDock​

  1. Click Export Theme in the top header bar
  2. Wait for export to complete (progress shown)
  3. Success message appears when done

Export Options​

Depending on your setup, you may have options:

OptionDescription
Full ExportComplete theme regeneration
CSS OnlyJust update styles
PreviewView changes without exporting

After Export​

Viewing Your Site​

  1. Click Back to WordPress or visit your site URL
  2. Your theme changes are now live
  3. Test all pages and functionality

Clearing Cache​

If changes don't appear:

  1. Clear any caching plugin (WP Super Cache, W3 Total Cache, etc.)
  2. Hard refresh browser (Ctrl+Shift+R / Cmd+Shift+R)
  3. Try incognito/private browsing

Export Best Practices​

1. Save Before Export​

Ensure all changes are saved before exporting.

2. Test in Staging​

If possible, export to a staging environment first.

3. Check All Pages​

After export, visit key pages:

  • Homepage
  • A blog post
  • An archive page
  • Contact/form page
  • 404 page

4. Test Responsively​

Check mobile and tablet views after export.

5. Verify Forms​

Test all forms still work correctly.

6. Check Third-Party Integrations​

Verify plugins and integrations function properly.

Export Frequency​

When to Export​

  • After significant design changes
  • After building new templates
  • Before sharing with clients
  • Before going live

Incremental Work​

You don't need to export after every small change. TheDock saves your work automatically; export when you're ready to see changes live.

Troubleshooting Export​

Export Fails​

Possible causes:

  • Server timeout (large sites)
  • Insufficient permissions
  • Disk space issues
  • PHP memory limit

Solutions:

  • Increase PHP memory limit
  • Check folder permissions
  • Contact hosting support

Changes Not Visible​

Possible causes:

  • Browser cache
  • Caching plugin
  • CDN cache

Solutions:

  • Clear all caches
  • Hard refresh browser
  • Purge CDN if used

Styles Look Different​

Possible causes:

  • CSS specificity conflicts
  • Plugin CSS interference
  • Browser rendering differences

Solutions:

  • Check browser console for errors
  • Inspect with developer tools
  • Review custom CSS conflicts

PHP Errors After Export​

Possible causes:

  • Custom code errors
  • Plugin conflicts
  • PHP version incompatibility

Solutions:

  • Enable WP_DEBUG to see errors
  • Review custom PHP code
  • Check PHP version requirements

Production Deployment​

Going Live Checklist​

Before launching your site:

  • Export final version
  • Test all pages
  • Test all forms
  • Check mobile/tablet views
  • Verify SEO settings
  • Test social sharing
  • Check performance
  • Backup everything

Backup Strategy​

Before major updates:

  1. Export current theme state
  2. Backup WordPress database
  3. Save TheDock configuration

Version Management​

Saving States​

TheDock can save snapshots of your configuration:

  1. Go to Team panel
  2. Current state is saved automatically
  3. Access previous states if needed

Rolling Back​

If export causes issues:

  1. Access previous state in Team panel
  2. Load that state
  3. Re-export

Multi-Environment Workflow​

Development → Staging → Production​

Development:

  • Build and experiment freely
  • Export often to test

Staging:

  • Final testing before production
  • Client review

Production:

  • Final export only
  • Thorough testing post-export

Keeping Environments in Sync​

TheDock state is stored in the database. To sync:

  1. Export configuration from source
  2. Import to destination environment
  3. Re-export theme files

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