Installing WordPress for Theme Development — a practical guide to WordPress local theme development with clear examples you can reuse in real projects.
WordPress Theme Development Series (5/96). Prefer one article? Read the complete WordPress theme development tutorial.
Short description
Use Local, XAMPP/WAMP, Laravel Valet, or Docker. Enable debugging and use a disposable database.
Dev setup tips
1. Local WP install
2. WP_DEBUG on
3. Starter theme folder in wp-content/themes
4. Test with sample content (WP-CLI or importer)