Kirki Customizer Framework

Kirki Customizer Framework icon
The Kirki Customizer Framework is a powerful WordPress plugin that allows you to customize your website easily and quickly. With a range of options and tools, and an intuitive and clean interface, you can make the most of your website experience.
What We Think:
92%
Very highly recommended!

Kirki Customizer Framework: A Comprehensive Review

Kirki is a powerful open source Customizer Framework plugin developed for WordPress developers and provides a simpler way to customize a WordPress theme. The plugin has been developed with the aim of making it easier to create customizer panels, sections and controls. Through the Customizer APIs, the plugin enables developers to create custom controls, supports postMessage transport for all setting types, enables developers to extend the framework with custom controls and settings and to provide more features and options than the default WordPress Customizer. Kirki also allows developers to easily add text, checkboxes, select controls, color and image and background options, and much more to their WordPress theme in the native Customizer backend.

Kirki Customizer Framework: Breakdown

The Kirki Customizer Framework plugin is an interface or ‘framework’ for developers to customize their WordPress themes. It is an open source plugin developed by aristath, an active WordPress contributor, and allows developers to quickly and effectively customize their WordPress theme using the default WordPress theme customizer. It is designed to simplify the process of creating customizer panels, sections and controls, by tapping into the powerful and flexible options of WordPress Customizer API. Additionally, the plugin provides features and options beyond the WordPress Customizer’s default options, reducing the need for custom coding.

Kirki also provides developers the opportunity to easily create text, checkboxes, select controls, color and image and background options. It also supports postMessage transport for all setting types, enabling developers to use JavaScript or AJAX to react and update the code or settings live. Additionally, developers can extend the framework by creating their own custom controls and setting types and further customize the functionality and design of the WordPress theme. This is possible by creating custom control types and custom setting types in the integration of the Customizer API and the use of the plugin.

Pros of Using Kirki Customizer Framework

Easy Interface: Kirki Customizer Framework offers an intuitive interface that makes the integration process simple and straightforward. With clear options and menus that are organized in an easy to understand structure, knowledge of HTML and PHP are not needed to get started.

Comprehensive Features: The Kirki Customizer Framework provides a comprehensive set of features including custom controls such as number, checkbox, text, select, radio, switch, range, and color. Additionally, the plugin offers advanced control types such as multiple checkbox, image upload, background controls, and setting type.

Shortcodes: The Kirki Customizer Framework plugin also features a range of Shortcodes which allows users to add custom CSS styles to their pages with a single line of code. It also offers a choice of styles for each type of control, providing a level of customization that goes beyond standard WordPress interfaces and styling.

Colors & Fonts: Kirki Customizer Framework provides a number of easy-to-use controls for users to customize the look and feel of their website. This includes an extensive library of colors and fonts from which to choose, as well as the ability to add custom fonts for further personalization.

Cross-Platform Compatibility: The Kirki Customizer Framework is compatible with both WordPress and Drupal, providing the perfect solution for users to create custom interfaces for their websites on either platform. In addition, the plugin is optimized for all major web browsers and mobile devices, so users can access and manage their settings from any device.

Cons of Using Kirki Customizer Framework

Poor Documentations: Kirki Customizer Framework has poor documentations, which makes it hard for new users to understand what individual parameters do and how they can be used to customize the WordPress theme. Additionally, the documentation doesn't cover any of the developer-friendly features in detail, like the ability to add custom settings, sections, and controls.

Compatibility Issues: When using the Kirki Customizer Framework, there is a lack of backwards compatibility with older versions of the WordPress platform, which means that any changes made to the theme will not be reflected in older versions. Additionally, the plugin does not provide support for custom post types, taxonomies, and other features related to WordPress' page/post editor.

Highly Customizable, But Not Always Intuitive: Kirki Customizer Framework is incredibly powerful and highly customizable, but this can make it difficult to use and understand. Users needing to use more advanced customization options might find themselves spending too much time trying to customize their WordPress theme, which can be a huge time sink.

Limited Options for Advanced Users: Kirki Customizer Framework does not provide many options for advanced users. While there are some features like custom controls and panels, this plugin does not offer support for more complex configuration tasks and does not offer much in the way of custom code options.

Push-to-Deploy Feature Is Difficult to Set Up: The push-to-deploy feature for the Kirki Customizer Framework is difficult to set up, which can make it a hassle for users to get their newly-customized WordPress theme up and running. Additionally, this feature is unreliable and prone to errors, making it a risky choice for those wanting to avoid potential deployment issues.

92% Very highly recommended!

In conclusion

Kirki is an open source WordPress plugin that serves to make customization through the WordPress Customizer easier and more efficient for developers. By providing features and options beyond the WordPress Customizer’s default, developers are enabled to quickly design customizer settings, panels and sections, and create custom controls and settings for further customization and features. Through the plugin’s use of postMessage transport, developers are also provided with the ability to use JavaScript for further customization. Kirki is a powerful plugin for WordPress developers, and an easier way for them to customize their WordPress themes.

Plugin Specifications
  • Version: 5.0.0
  • Last Updated: 1 year ago
  • Installs: 600,000+
  • WP Version: 5.2+
  • Tested Until: 6.2.3
  • PHP Version: 7.1 or higher
Use Case Examples
  • WordPress Theme Customization
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    Kirki is an advanced toolkit for theme developers using the WordPress Customizer API. It allows developers to easily register custom sections, settings, and controls in the WordPress Customizer. Creating an advanced custom theme based on the WordPress Customizer is now much simpler with the help of the Kirki plugin. With a powerful range of configuration options, theme developers can create a highly customized look for their WordPress site to suit their individual needs and preferences.
  • Navigation Menus Customization
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  • Widgets Area Customization
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  • Custom Color Scheme
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  • Advanced Fonts Control
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Tags
  • customizer
  • mods
  • options framework
  • theme
  • toolkit