[wp-meta] [Making WordPress.org] #6059: Display style variations for block themes in the theme directory

[Making WordPress.org]

#6059: Display style variations for block themes in the theme directory
-----------------------------+---------------------
 Reporter:  poena            |       Owner:  (none)
     Type:  enhancement      |      Status:  new
 Priority:  normal           |   Milestone:
Component:  Theme Directory  |  Resolution:
 Keywords:                   |
-----------------------------+---------------------

Comment (by dufresnesteven):

 I have some working code that adds style variations to the theme page,
 similar to how we show patterns. I don't think its the best experience
 yet, I think there's plenty more to do, but I do think it's far enough to
 merit discussions and consider whether it's good enough to launch and
 iterate:

 **Screenshots**

 See Image Added above
 Watch Demo: https://d.pr/i/X4yxV2

 **How it works**
 - It uses wp-themes.com and applies the style variation based on a query
 string (IE: https://wp-themes.com/twentytwentytwo?style_variation=blue)
 - Theme Directory leverages image snapshots and displays a snapshot of the
 theme style variation
 - When a user clicks on the variation, we load the variation in the theme
 preview

 **Discussion/Improvements**

 __Preview Tile__
 - Same with pattern previews, it's not clear that you can click on the
 preview to open the Theme preview. We should add more affordance.
 - It uses a screen shot of the default homepage, for some themes that
 looks good, for others, not so much
 - I considered using the same variation preview as the one found in the
 site editor but the control is not exported and therefore we would need to
 rebuild it. Seems out of scope.... for now.

 __Customizer__
 - Theres no way to change variations in the customizer (same for patterns)
 - We could add a visual indication in the customizer sidebar letting the
 users know that they are viewing a style variation.


 Although these limitations exist and improvements could be made, I
 personally think it's good enough to launch the feature as a beta and make
 the necessary updates in quick iterations.

 I'm hoping to agree on the initial feature set as soon as possible. Please
 share with anyone you think would be interested :). Ultimately with a
 growing desire to redesign .org pages & directories, I'm hoping we can
 agree on the smallest amount of work that will have the greatest impact.

-- 
Ticket URL: <https://meta.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/6059#comment:2>
Making WordPress.org <https://meta.trac.wordpress.org/>
Making WordPress.org