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Quick Start Guide

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Alex de Borba edited this page Jun 21, 2026 · 1 revision

Quick Start Guide

This guide walks you through your first steps with Aegis after installation, helping you configure and customize your site quickly.

Step 1: Activate the Theme

If you have not already activated Aegis, navigate to Appearance → Themes in your WordPress admin dashboard and click Activate on the Aegis theme card.

Step 2: Open the Site Editor

Aegis is a Full Site Editing (FSE) theme. All customization happens through the WordPress Site Editor:

  1. Navigate to Appearance → Editor in the admin dashboard.
  2. The Site Editor opens with a preview of your site.
  3. Use the left sidebar navigation to access templates, template parts, patterns, and styles.

For a detailed overview of the Site Editor interface, see site-editor.

Step 3: Choose a Style Variation

Aegis ships with 60 style variations that change your entire site appearance with one click:

  1. In the Site Editor, click the Styles icon (half-filled circle) in the top-right toolbar.
  2. Click Browse styles to see all available variations.
  3. Select a variation to preview it.
  4. Click Save to apply the variation to your site.

See style-variations for a full list of available variations.

Step 4: Set Up Your Homepage

To create a homepage using Aegis block patterns:

  1. Navigate to Pages → Add New Page in the admin dashboard.
  2. Give your page a title (for example, "Home").
  3. Open the block inserter by clicking the + icon in the top-left toolbar.
  4. Navigate to the Patterns tab.
  5. Browse categories such as Hero, Feature, CTA, or Testimonial.
  6. Click a pattern to insert it into your page.
  7. Repeat until you have assembled your desired layout.
  8. Publish the page.

Then set it as your homepage:

  1. Navigate to Settings → Reading.
  2. Select A static page under "Your homepage displays."
  3. Choose your new page from the Homepage dropdown.
  4. Click Save Changes.

Step 5: Configure Navigation

To set up your site navigation:

  1. Open the Site Editor (Appearance → Editor).
  2. Click on the header area to select it.
  3. Click on the Navigation block within the header.
  4. Use the block toolbar to add, remove, or reorder menu items.
  5. Click Save to publish your changes.

You can also manage navigation menus under Appearance → Editor → Navigation.

Step 6: Customize Global Styles

Fine-tune your site design beyond style variations:

  1. In the Site Editor, click the Styles icon.
  2. Adjust Typography settings for headings, body text, and links.
  3. Adjust Colors for background, text, and accent elements.
  4. Adjust Layout for content width and padding.
  5. Click Save to apply your changes.

See global-styles for detailed customization instructions.

Step 7: Configure Dark Mode (Optional)

Aegis includes built-in dark mode support:

  1. Dark mode is toggled by applying the is-style-dark class to the <body> element.
  2. You can enable dark mode globally through the Site Editor or conditionally per template.

See dark-mode for configuration details.

Step 8: Install Companion Plugins (Optional)

Enhance Aegis with the companion plugins:

  • Aegis Plugin (free) — Adds map blocks, modal blocks, and hook utilities.
  • Aegis Pro — Adds video blocks, query enhancements, advanced patterns, and more.

Install them from Plugins → Add New Plugin or download from the Aegis website.

Building a Page with Patterns

Aegis includes over 145 block patterns across 30 categories. Here is a typical workflow for assembling a page:

  1. Start with a Hero pattern — Choose from the Hero category for your page header.
  2. Add Feature sections — Showcase your services or capabilities.
  3. Include Social Proof — Add a Testimonial or Logos pattern.
  4. Add a Call to Action — Use a CTA pattern to drive conversions.
  5. Finish with a Contact pattern — Make it easy for visitors to reach you.

Each pattern is fully customizable after insertion. Change colors, text, images, and layout to match your brand.

Common First Tasks

Task Where to Go
Change site title and tagline Settings → General
Upload a site icon (favicon) Appearance → Editor → Styles → Site Identity
Set up a blog page Settings → Reading → Posts page
Configure permalinks Settings → Permalinks
Add a contact form Install Fluent Forms, then use a Contact pattern
Set up WooCommerce See woocommerce-integration

Recommended Reading

Next Steps

Aegis version 1.0.0 | GitHub Repository | Report an Issue | Atmostfear Entertainment

License: GPL-2.0-or-later

Getting Started

Using the Theme

Design System

Blocks

Features

Development

Reference

Help

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