8. Custom CSS, PHP & Hooks

This module is the bridge between site builder work and developer work: small, controlled code changes that improve UX without creating maintenance risk.

What You'll Be Able To Do

• Place custom CSS safely (scope and intent)
• Add PHP customizations via hooks and template tags
• Debug issues without guesswork

Lessons

Lesson	Outcome
Custom CSS Integration	Place CSS in the right layer and avoid global breakage
PHP Customizations	Add guarded, escaped PHP changes
Hook Elements (GP Premium)	Use UI-driven hooks with clear rules
Shortcodes & Template Tags	Build reusable outputs without duplicated markup
Debugging Custom Code (OLS)	Diagnose issues systematically with logs and isolation

Completion Checklist

Check	Done when...
CSS	Styles are scoped and do not leak globally
PHP	Customizations are guarded and escaped
Debug	You have a repeatable approach to tracing issues

What's Next

• Continue to: SEO, Schema & Accessibility