---
title: Genesis Basics
menuTitle: Basics
layout: layouts/base.njk
permalink: basics/index.html
tags: docs
---

To make modifications to Genesis child themes, make custom themes, or write plugins that target Genesis, you'll need to learn:

- **How to use WordPress**. If you're new to WordPress, [WP101](https://www.wp101.com/) offers a great introduction to its features.
- **Basic PHP, CSS, and JavaScript**. [Know The Code](http://knowthecode.io/roadmap/genesis-developer-roadmap) offers a strong introduction to PHP, and [freeCodeCamp](https://www.freecodecamp.org/) is a great place to learn HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
- **Basic WordPress developer features**, like [hooks](https://developer.wordpress.org/plugins/hooks/), [conditional tags](https://codex.wordpress.org/Conditional_Tags), [child and parent themes](https://developer.wordpress.org/themes/advanced-topics/child-themes/) and the [template hierarchy](https://developer.wordpress.org/themes/basics/template-hierarchy/).
- **<a href="{{ '/basics/how-genesis-works/' | url }}">How Genesis Works</a>**. There are some important things to know about how Genesis helps to accelerate child theme development, especially if you have built WordPress themes without Genesis before.
