I have admin access to a WordPress website and I want to download all the theme files and other development resources so I can edit them locally. Is there a way to grab these files directly from the WordPress dashboard, or do I have to go through the web hosting control panel instead?
I’m looking to get access to the PHP templates, stylesheets, JavaScript files, and other theme assets so I can make customizations to the design and functionality. I’m not sure if WordPress has a built-in export feature for development files or if I need to use FTP or file manager tools from the hosting provider.
What would be the most efficient approach to download everything I need for local development work?
u can just use FTP or the file manager in cPanel for that. the admin dashboard doesn’t let u download theme files directly. most hosting providers have file managers that r way easier than setting up FTP.
Accessing the required files through the WordPress dashboard isn’t feasible, as it primarily allows editing individual files but not bulk downloads. Instead, using your hosting control panel is the recommended method. Most shared hosting providers typically offer a file manager that simplifies the process for smaller sites. You can select the necessary folders, create ZIP archives on the server, and then download them. For ongoing development work, SFTP is a much more efficient approach. Additionally, if your hosting provider offers a staging environment, it’s wise to set that up first. This creates a complete copy of your site where you can test changes without affecting the live version. Some hosts even provide tools to auto-sync files between these environments, greatly facilitating ongoing projects.
WordPress admin dashboard can’t handle complete file downloads - you’ll need external tools. SFTP clients like FileZilla or WinSCP are your best bet for bulk transfers. Grab the connection details from your hosting control panel. You can download just the active theme as a ZIP through Appearance > Theme Editor, but that’s only the current theme folder. Need the whole wp-content directory with plugins, uploads, and other themes? SFTP’s the way to go. Some hosts offer one-click backup downloads that grab everything - might save you time depending on your setup.