# ACL Trace

ACL Trace 3.0.0 is a next-generation terminal editorial block theme for WordPress. Its default dark Trace Magenta identity combines a compact semantic design system with native WordPress templates, template parts, Navigation, Query Loops, and editor-ready patterns.

The theme is a presentation layer. Site metadata, schema, breadcrumbs, canonical and robots controls, discovery controls, and other site behavior belong to WordPress core or optional plugins.

## Requirements

| Dependency | Supported version |
| --- | --- |
| WordPress | 6.9 or later; tested through 7.0 |
| PHP | 8.0 or later |

ACL Trace has no build step, no runtime package dependencies, no remote fonts, and no theme JavaScript.

## Features

- Block-theme architecture with canonical native templates and editable template parts.
- `theme.json` v3 tokens for the dark Trace Magenta palette, layout, spacing, shadows, motion, and responsive typography.
- Restricted editor controls that preserve the design system while retaining normal Site Editor customization.
- Native Navigation with a portable Page List fallback and WordPress's mobile overlay behavior.
- Palette-neutral component behavior for Trace Cards, buttons, forms, Query Loops, comments, tables, quotes, code, Details, and media.
- Visible keyboard focus, forced-colors support, reduced-motion behavior, readable overflow handling, and semantic template landmarks.
- Eight production patterns: Signal Hero, Signal CTA, Feature Grid, Two Column Content, Media and Text, Post Grid, Testimonials, and FAQ.
- Parent and child stylesheets loaded separately with independent file modification versions.

## Installation

1. In WordPress, open **Appearance > Themes > Add New > Upload Theme**.
2. Upload `acl-trace-3.0.0.zip`.
3. Install and activate ACL Trace.
4. Open **Appearance > Editor** to customize Styles, templates, parts, and Navigation.

The installed directory must be `wp-content/themes/acl-trace/`.

## Site Editor customization

The default palette, typography, layout widths, spacing, and component styles are defined in `theme.json`. Use the Site Editor to customize supported settings. Theme files remain the canonical defaults until a user saves a Global Styles, template, or template-part override.

The header uses the native Navigation block with a Page List fallback. Replace or edit it in the Site Editor without custom JavaScript.

## Included patterns

All patterns are available from the ACL Trace inserter category:

1. Signal Hero
2. Signal CTA
3. Feature Grid
4. Two Column Content
5. Media and Text
6. Post Grid
7. Testimonials
8. FAQ

Pattern copy, links, images, queries, and citations are starter content and remain editable after insertion.

## Child themes

Set `Template: acl-trace` in the child theme's `style.css`. ACL Trace loads the parent stylesheet once and then loads the child stylesheet once as a dependent asset. Each file uses its own modification time for cache invalidation. The editor receives the same parent-then-child order, and child `theme.json` settings inherit from the parent through WordPress core.

## Optional companion plugins

No companion plugin is required.

- ACL Site Style Kit can override palettes and typography.
- ACL Site Essentials can provide optional metadata, schema, breadcrumbs, canonical/robots controls, discovery controls, and frontend emoji settings.
- ACL Featured Image Plus can provide enhanced featured-image presentation.

## Known limitations

- ACL Trace 3.0.0 includes no third-party commerce templates, styles, or support claims.
- No style variations are included.
- The Page List navigation fallback reflects published pages until a site owner creates or assigns a custom native Navigation menu.
- Assistive-technology behavior can vary by browser and should be verified against the content and plugins used on the destination site.

## Development checkout upgrade note

Development checkouts named `acl-trace-main` are separate themes from the production `acl-trace` package. Installing 3.0.0 does not automatically move theme mods, Global Styles, saved templates, saved template parts, Navigation references, Custom CSS, or widget assignments from the development slug. Back up the database, install the production package alongside the development checkout, migrate only verified slug-scoped records, activate `acl-trace`, verify the Site Editor and front end, and retain `acl-trace-main` until rollback testing is complete.

## File structure

```text
acl-trace/
|-- CHANGELOG.md
|-- LICENSE
|-- README.md
|-- functions.php
|-- readme.txt
|-- screenshot.png
|-- style.css
|-- theme.json
|-- inc/
|   |-- assets.php
|   `-- block-patterns.php
|-- languages/
|   `-- acl-trace.pot
|-- parts/
|-- patterns/
`-- templates/
```

## License

ACL Trace is licensed under `GPL-2.0-or-later`. See `LICENSE` for the complete GNU General Public License version 2 text.