For example. I found a simple online counter. Can I install it on the server with yarn and then insert it into the code without any problem to make it work?
No, customization in Discourse is a little more restricted than that to keep everything working. Also, Discourse already comes with built-in view counters on topics.
Check out #theme for an idea of what you can create with the powerful theme customization system.
Okay, but the internet is full of unlimited possibilities. On github I have 150 million different ready-made solutions like buttons, css tooltips, counters etc. Why can’t I install it? It’s a pity that you can’t use so many ready-made solutions but you have to limit yourself to heavy plugins or write yourself if you still have such knowledge and time for it…
It’s a tough life, huh? 
It’s amazing there are so many well paid software engineers, given that on most platforms you can just chuck stuff together and it just works?
Ahem …
If you invest the time to learn how you can re-use loads of stuff, especially CSS.
Checkout Beginner's guide to using Discourse Themes to start off and keep going!
1 Like