Theme Test Drive WordPress plugin allows you to safely test drive any theme on your blog as administrator, while visitors still use the default one. It happens completely transparently and they will not even notice you run a different theme for yourself. Best part is you can even set the testing theme options (if it has them) in the Admin panel while you are testing the theme.
Since version 2.0 Theme Test Drive features instant theme preview using a website thumbnail service.
You can also preview any theme by adding "?theme=xxx" to your blog URL. For example http://www.myblog.com/?theme=Default (theme name is case-sensitive!)
For all questions about the plugin please visit my WordPress forums.
Download
Installation & Usage
- Upload the plugin folder to your /wp-content/plugins/ folder.
- Go to the Plugins page and activate the plugin.
- Use the Options page to set the theme you want to test drive.
The selected theme will be visible only to blog administrator. Other visitors of the site will always see the default theme.
Note: if you use WP-Cache plugin, you might need to disable it (or setup to exclude pages)
Changelog
v2.6: Added user access level
v2.0:
- Instant theme preview using a live thumbnail preview
- Added "?theme=xxx" to your URL's to preview the desired theme. Example http://www.myblog.com/?theme=Default
Nov 29th, 2007 v1.0
* Initial release
Visit my other interesting WordPress Plugins or my WordPress theme Amazing Grace.
If you are looking for WordPress consulting services feel free to contact me
278 Comments
I have tested a theme and really like it using the Test Drive plugin. How do I activate this plugin? I do not see an activation button like I did in the past?
Hi Vladimir, Thanks for this plugin! I'm not sure whether and if you check the WP fora, but I just reported a bug (fix included!) at http://wordpress.org/support/topic/bugfix-function-themedrive_getinfo-wont-ever-work. Hope this helps!
Smile,
Juliette
I recently installed this plugin, and am loving how easy it is to test the theme.
BUT, it appears it is interfering somehow with google analytics? Since I installed it, our bounce rate went from 50% to < 1%, our pages per visit doubled, and our pageviews almost doubled as well? Anyone else experience anything like this?
Using the most current version of everything, wordpress, google analytics yoast plugin, and most recent version of this plugin.
Thanks,
Misha
Hello,
I have been converting my Headway 2.0.13 site to 3.2.3. I use flash animation in my header which changes from page to page. I figured out how to use the Custom code block below the header to recreate the same look I had using Easy Hooks in 2.0.13. So far so good.
The flash displays in the 3.2.3 visual editor, but not in the live site, when I click from the 3.2.3 dashboard. Is this due to Theme Test Drive? When I finally switch over to HW 3.2.3 will I see the site as it is rendering in the VE?
http://crowandrose.com
Very handy plug-in, BTW. Thanks.
Dave
Hi I just saw this plugin and i had a quick question.. I am going to be using a under construction template thats a theme but I will be building a site on a different theme.. how can I keep the under construction theme page up but still edit and get my site while its under construction?? will this allow me to do that still??
Donny, might be too late now, but two comments:
1) Yes, Theme Test Drive should allow you to keep your "under construction" theme live to the general public while you work on the future theme. The future theme will only be visible to people who are logged-in and have administrator level rights (unless you change the setting to allow lower-ranking users to also see the "test drive" theme).
2) Another option, if you're going to basically "close off" your entire site during the design phase, is to simply install a plugin called "Maintenance Mode." It creates a page that will completely "cover" your site to the general public, while you still get to see your "real" theme as long as you're logged in.
I really like this Theme , this will help me in my work.
Thanks
Really nice work. It helps a lot. This way I can work on a theme color without worry.
Awaiting the answer to the plugin update. However, the temporary solution I found was in (1) backing up my site & (2) "downgrading" my WP to "3.3" ... this allowed the "Theme Test Drive" to work (working a lil weird but working).
Hi, Luv your plugin!
I've had an issue running Theme Test Drive with WordPress 3.3.1
When will you be upgrading?
Hi
i finish my test
when e active the theme that i tested, i loose all my setting in this theme, what i must to do?
Did you get an answer for this question? I'm having the same issue... When I activate it, I loose all the settings I did when I built it. If I click the preview button --it shows it properly... but it seems to loose it when I activate. Need help!
Like Jacobo, I installed this plugin, activated and following the instructions to upload the new Studiopress Enterprise theme for testing.... but it uploaded to my live site!!!!!.... nice... thank goodness for backups... maybe I did something wrong but whatever, be warned especially if like my, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing!
I really like this Theme , this will help me in my work.
Thanks
Vorrei vedere come indenta le risposte ai commenti (se lo fa) prima di installarlo.