Keep project-specific work in the site's own zola.toml, templates/ and static/ directories. Zola gives site files priority over matching theme files, so DevLab can be updated or replaced without mixing custom changes into themes/devlab-theme/.

Choose the smallest override

NeedPreferred layerUpdate cost
Change text, paths or optional featureszola.toml and content front matterLow
Change identity, colors, type or widthsBrand settings and a site stylesheetLow
Add metadata, CSS, scripts or integrationsBase template extension hooksLow
Change one shared componentSite-level partial overrideMedium
Replace a page structureSite-level layout overrideHigh

Start with Brand and colors. Use Template extensions only when configuration and CSS cannot express the change.

Keep updates predictable

Do not edit files inside the installed theme. Record every override in the site repository and review it when a release changes the corresponding theme template. Follow the tagged workflow in Install and update before validating customizations against a new version.