How to edit/modify the default.hbs file

Using Ghost
1

Hi there

Am a newbie here and hoping the more learned members can help.

I am trying to add a ‘Back to top’ button and code to our website (which use the default Casper theme) but I am unable to find how to access the default.hbs file into which I understand I must inject the relevant code (which I have prepared).

Would someone be able to provide the steps to access this directly, and if it is a case of downloading the file, editing locally and then uploading back to ghost.io, then please provide the export/import steps.

I am assuming that if it is a case of download, edit, upload, I should make a copy of the pre-update file, and keep it safe so that if the edit does not work or is not what is expected then I can just upload the copy to revert to the website state prior to uploading the updated default.hbs file.

Many thanks in anticipation.

Kind regards,

Grendell

2

If you have directions for code injection, you do that from /ghost > settings (gear icon) > code injection.

If you’re following directions to edit the theme, then yes, you’ll download, unzip, edit, rezip, and upload. There are a number of tutorials on theme editing over in Tutorials that will get you started!

3

Hi Cathy

Many thanks for the pointer…I will investigate.

But may I check on one key point for me…is it good practice to export one’s site and keep a copy safe, so as to be able to import it at a later date if something happens to the site?

Or is there a better way to achieve the same end…website recovery in case of issue, etc.?

Many thanks for your assistance in this matter. It is much appreciated.

Regards, Grendell

4

Exporting your site makes a backup of your posts and pages and config settings. (Not images.) it does NOT back up your theme files. And uploading/downloading theme files will not harm content. They’re separate. Certainly it’s a good idea to maintain a backup copy of your theme files before editing, in case you want to go back to something you had before.

5

Hi Cathy

Thanks for the prompt response. However, I am a bit confused by it…so would just like to make sure I am straight here.

  1. Exporting one’s site makes a backup of posts, pages & config settings but NOT images.
  2. And it does NOT back up one’s theme files.

So, if one is editing the theme files, i.e., default.hbs, for example (have I got that right that this is one of them?), then how does one create a backup copy of the theme files.

What am I missing/getting wrong re. my understanding…apologies I am a newbie on a big learning curve.

Thank you for your patience…it is appreciated.

Regards, Grendell

6

In order to edit the theme you’re going to download it anyway. So you just save an unedited copy.