Customization
Make DevLab feel like your project without turning the theme into a fork.
Most sites can change DevLab's identity, colors and optional features without editing a theme file. Keep each change in your site repository and choose the least invasive layer that solves the problem.
Start with the smallest change
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Use configuration for behavior and text.
Change navigation, search, page actions, branding and optional sections in
zola.toml. Use page front matter for choices that belong to one page. The copy-ready examples in Configuration recipes cover the common cases. -
Use CSS tokens for the visual identity.
A site stylesheet can change the palette, fonts and content widths while DevLab continues to own the responsive layout. Brand and colors walks through the complete setup.
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Use an extension hook for extra code.
Add metadata, a stylesheet, a script or an integration through a block in the base template. This keeps the original page structure intact.
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Override markup only when the structure must change.
Replace one partial or extend one layout block instead of copying a complete template. Template extensions explains the maintenance boundary.
Find the right recipe
| I want to... | Start here | Ongoing maintenance |
|---|---|---|
| Rename the site or change its logo | Change the name and logo | Very low |
| Configure footer text and links | Build the footer | Very low |
| Change colors, fonts or widths | Add one site stylesheet | Low |
| Add a verification tag, CSS or JavaScript | Extend the base template | Low |
| Replace the contents of a shared component | Override one partial | Medium |
| Change the structure of one page type | Override one layout block | High |
Keep the installed theme disposable
Do not edit files inside themes/devlab-theme/. Put configuration, templates and assets in the site's own zola.toml, templates/ and static/ directories. You should be able to replace the installed theme directory during an update without losing project work.
A customization is finished when
- it lives outside
themes/devlab-theme/; zola checkandzola buildsucceed;- the affected page works at desktop and mobile widths;
- light, dark and system color modes remain readable;
- the override is small enough to compare with a future release.
Before changing DevLab versions, follow Install and update and review every site-owned template that corresponds to a changed theme template.