---
title: edit_themes
description: "## What is the edit_themes permission in WordPress? The edit_themes permission is important in WordPress because it allows to make changes to the site's theme files. If you have the edit_themes permission, you will see this link in the WordPress…"
url: "https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/edit_themes/"
updated: "2026-10-14"
category: WordPress Permissions / WordPress Permissions
---

# edit_themes

## What is the edit_themes permission in WordPress?

The edit_themes permission is important in WordPress because it allows to make changes to the site's theme files.

If you have the edit_themes permission, you will see this link in the WordPress admin area:

- Appearance > Theme Editor

The Theme Editor in WordPress allows you make direct changes to your site's theme files. [This guide talks about access to the "Theme Editor" screen in detail](https://publishpress.com/blog/wordpress-publishing/how-to-control-access-to-the-theme-editor-in-wordpress/).

![Theme Editor Link](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/theme-editor-link.png)
Theme Editor Link

---

## Who has the edit_themes permission?

The edit_themes permission is available on single WordPress sites and on multisite networks.

By default, the edit_themes permission is only given to [Super Admins](https://publishpress.com/links/super-admin) and Administrators.

Users not in these roles are not allowed to edit the site's theme files.

---

## How to control who has the edit_themes permission

You can control who has the edit_themes permission by installing the [PublishPress Capabilities](https://publishpress.com/links/capabilities) plugin.

- After installing [PublishPress Capabilities](https://publishpress.com/links/capabilities), go to "Capabilities" in your WordPress admin menu.
- Using the dropdown in the top-left corner, choose the role to edit.
- Click the "Themes" tab.
- Check the box "edit themes".
- Click "Save Changes".

![](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/edit-themes-1024x461.png)
Edit Theme Permission

---

## All the WordPress theme permissions

- [delete_themes](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/delete_themes/)
- [edit_themes](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/edit_themes/)
- [edit_theme_options](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/edit_theme_options/)
- [install_themes](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/install_themes/)
- [switch_themes](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/switch_themes/)
- [update_themes](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/update_themes/)