[wp-trac] [WordPress Trac] #35286: Broken theme error message is very confusing

[WordPress Trac]

#35286: Broken theme error message is very confusing
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 Reporter:  mayukojpn                |       Owner:
     Type:  enhancement              |      Status:  new
 Priority:  normal                   |   Milestone:  4.5
Component:  Themes                   |     Version:  trunk
 Severity:  normal                   |  Resolution:
 Keywords:  ux-feedback needs-patch  |     Focuses:  administration
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Changes (by ericlewis):

 * milestone:  Future Release => 4.5


Comment:

 This is a stumbling point for new developers, great idea to offer better
 feedback here :)

 Replying to [comment:5 swissspidy]:
 > * Change the `Template is missing` message to something like `Main Index
 Template is missing` to make it more clear/helpful. That terminology is
 already used in `$wp_file_descriptions`.

 If a theme doesn't have an `index.php` file, and the `style.css` headers
 don't include a `Template:` header, then the problem is ambiguous. Are you
 trying to create a stand-alone theme and forgot an `index.php` file? Or
 are you trying to create a child theme and forgot to include the
 `Template` header?

 I think we can expand on
 [https://github.com/WordPress/WordPress/blob/9ae1736d01a3022d6ba870521fc9940f8e008e2b
 /wp-includes/class-wp-theme.php#L271 the error message here], explaining
 the problem in greater detail. Collating both of your thoughts, here's an
 idea for error text:

 "If the theme is intended to be a standalone theme, it should have a
 `index.php` template file. If it's intended to be a child theme, the
 stylesheet (`style.css`) should have a Template header (link to proper
 docs)."

 > * Change `The following themes are installed but incomplete. Themes must
 have a stylesheet and a template.` to just `The following themes are
 installed but incomplete.`

 Sounds great! The specific details are output in the table so this seems
 superfluous.

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Ticket URL: <https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/35286#comment:9>
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