# Installing WordPress themes

> Install a WordPress theme from the admin dashboard or upload one manually over FTP or SSH to change your site's look.

Source: https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/wordpress/guides/installing-wordpress-themes/

WordPress includes thousands of free and premium themes that you can use to customize your website’s appearance. On **ruachost.com**, you can install themes either through the WordPress admin interface or manually via FTP/SSH.

## Why Install a Theme?

- Change the look and feel of your site instantly.
- Add new layouts, features, and design options.
- Match your brand identity with custom styling.

## Method 1: Install via WordPress Admin Interface

1. **Log in to WordPress** as the administrator.
2. Go to **Dashboard → Appearance → Themes**.
3. Click **Add New**.
4. Choose one of the following:

   - **Search themes** → Type a name or keyword in the search box.
   - **Feature Filter** → Filter by color, layout, or features.
   - **Upload Theme** → If you purchased a theme, upload the `.zip` file.
5. Click **Install**.
6. Click **Activate** to apply the theme.

✅ You can preview a theme before activating it to see how it looks on your site.

## Method 2: Install Manually via FTP/SSH

1. **Upload the Theme File.**

   - Use FTP or File Manager in cPanel to upload the `.zip` file to:

     ```
     /wp-content/themes/
     ```
2. **Extract the Theme.**

   - Log in via SSH.
   - Navigate to the themes directory:

     ```bash
     cd ~/public_html/wp-content/themes
     ```
   - Unzip the file:

     ```bash
     unzip filename.zip
     ```
3. **Activate the Theme.**

   - Log in to WordPress as the administrator.
   - Go to **Dashboard → Appearance → Themes**.
   - Locate the new theme and click **Activate**.

> **Note:**
- If WordPress is installed in a subdirectory, adjust paths accordingly.
- Always use trusted sources for themes to avoid security risks.
- Consider creating a **child theme** before customizing to preserve updates.
- Premium themes often include additional installation instructions.