# Is it possible to use theme component from local folder (as plugin) - for local development?

**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-it-possible-to-use-theme-component-from-local-folder-as-plugin-for-local-development/171983
**Category:** Development
**Created:** [December 2, 2020, 12:05pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-it-possible-to-use-theme-component-from-local-folder-as-plugin-for-local-development/171983 "2020-12-02T12:05:55Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![4ong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/4ong/32/186618_2.png) [@4ong](https://meta.discourse.org/u/4ong)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2020, 12:05pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-it-possible-to-use-theme-component-from-local-folder-as-plugin-for-local-development/171983/1 "2020-12-02T12:05:55Z")

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To work on a custom theme component I want to reload it from the local folder without an installation process from git or .tar.  
Is it possible? Which path/folder should I use?

Thanks!

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### Author: ![Johani](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/johani/32/176920_2.png) [@Johani](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Johani)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2020, 12:48pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-it-possible-to-use-theme-component-from-local-folder-as-plugin-for-local-development/171983/2 "2020-12-02T12:48:39Z")

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Sure, you can use the `discourse_theme` gem

> [@Install the Discourse Theme CLI console app to help you build themes](https://meta.discourse.org/t/discourse-theme-cli-console-app-to-help-you-build-themes/82950):
>
> The [[discourse] Discourse Theme CLI](https://github.com/discourse/discourse_theme) is a ruby gem that allows you to use your editor of choice when developing Discourse themes and theme components. As you save files the CLI will update the remote theme or component and changes to it will appear live! Installing To play with it, make sure you have Ruby 2.5 or up installed. If you are on Windows, you have 2 options: Option 1: [Windows Subsystem for Linux](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Subsystem_for_Linux). Windows 10 has access to a full Linux environment, you can use it to install …

There’s also a guide that will help you get started here

> [@Get started with Theme Creator and the Theme CLI](https://meta.discourse.org/t/beginners-guide-to-using-theme-creator-and-theme-cli-to-start-building-a-discourse-theme/108444):
>
> This topic will walk you through how to use the [Theme CLI](https://meta.discourse.org/t/discourse-theme-cli-console-app-to-help-you-build-themes/82950) with our [Theme Creator](https://meta.discourse.org/t/theme-creator-create-and-show-themes-without-installing-discourse/84942) site to develop a theme and preview your changes on a live Discourse site. [Sign up for an account here on Meta](https://meta.discourse.org/signup) if you haven’t already [Log in to Theme Creator](https://discourse.theme-creator.io/login) Install the Theme CLI via the [instructions here](https://meta.discourse.org/t/discourse-theme-cli-console-app-to-help-you-build-themes/82950) Create a new theme on Theme Creator by: Visiting [https://discourse.theme-creator.io/my/themes](https://discourse.theme-creator.io/my/themes) Clicking Install, and selecting the “Create New” option. Giving your theme a unique name (you can ignore…

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### Author: ![pfaffman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/pfaffman/32/120154_2.png) [@pfaffman](https://meta.discourse.org/u/pfaffman)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2020, 12:52pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-it-possible-to-use-theme-component-from-local-folder-as-plugin-for-local-development/171983/3 "2020-12-02T12:52:27Z")

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If it’s somehow not clear, this solution is what the OP requested except better. It’s a fantastic tool.

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### Author: ![4ong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/4ong/32/186618_2.png) [@4ong](https://meta.discourse.org/u/4ong)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2020, 12:58pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-it-possible-to-use-theme-component-from-local-folder-as-plugin-for-local-development/171983/4 "2020-12-02T12:58:45Z")

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thanks @Johani It’s even better than I expected!

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### Author: ![Abdul\_Latheef\_PT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/abdul_latheef_pt/32/204682_2.png) [@Abdul\_Latheef\_PT](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Abdul_Latheef_PT)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2021, 8:27am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-it-possible-to-use-theme-component-from-local-folder-as-plugin-for-local-development/171983/5 "2021-02-05T08:27:36Z")

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@pfaffman Yes. OP was asking something whether themes can add as a local folder and application can take it. The same thing is achievable for plugins like `plugins/plugin-name/...`. Is there any option for theme like this. For example `themes/theme-name/...`

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### Author: ![merefield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/merefield/32/176214_2.png) [@merefield](https://meta.discourse.org/u/merefield)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2021, 8:32am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-it-possible-to-use-theme-component-from-local-folder-as-plugin-for-local-development/171983/6 "2021-02-05T08:32:43Z")

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You put the theme in any folder you like. Running `discourse_theme watch <path>` then watches it for any changes and uploads them to the site on deltas. That _is_ the solution.
