Joomla! Templates have three essential files, each of which have a specific role in creating the overall web site theme.

The template is NOT a complete website, but the files in the template contain information which control the location of sections of a webpage, where they appear in the browser window, it their position in the webpage, and how they appear.

These files are:

index.php

style.css

templateDetails.xml

In almost all Joomla! templates, there are further files, for example supplementary CSS stylesheet files, and possibly logo image files.

If you wish to contribute to the design and coding the presentation of your website, an understanding of the files making up Joomla! templates, and their contribution to the overall website presentation is important.

In the following articles we will create a simple site design, and the Joomal! template which will implement this design.