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Requirements

Vara SaaS has modest requirements. If your site already runs WordPress, it almost certainly meets them.

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Server requirements

Screenshot: Tools → Site Health → Info showing server PHP and database versions

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PHP

The theme requires PHP 7.4 or newer and uses no non-standard extensions beyond what WordPress core already requires. It is tested on PHP 8.x and does not emit deprecation notices on current releases.
If you see a fatal error immediately after activating, check your PHP version first. Hosts running PHP 7.2 or 7.3 cannot run this theme, and the failure will look like a broken theme rather than an unsupported environment.

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Database

Nothing unusual. Standard WordPress tables only — the theme registers no custom tables, no custom post types, and no custom taxonomies. Theme settings are stored as WordPress theme mods in the wp_options table, which is what makes them survive theme updates. There is no separate settings table to migrate or lose.

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HTTPS

Technically optional, practically required:
  • Dark mode persists your light/dark choice in the browser’s local storage, which is scoped to the origin. Without HTTPS the site is served with browser security warnings that can break the experience.
  • Caching is meaningfully harder to run over plain HTTP, because caches key on scheme.
  • WordPress.org’s own directory now expects HTTPS for a professional install.
Most hosts provide free certificates via Let’s Encrypt. See Launch checklist.

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Browser support

The theme targets current evergreen browsers and uses widely supported CSS: custom properties, clamp() for fluid sizing, flexbox, and grid.
Older browsers degrade gracefully. Without JavaScript, the navigation still renders as a valid nested list, the page remains readable, and the theme applies its light palette — dark mode is a progressive enhancement layered on top.

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Optional software

Neither is required. The theme is fully functional using the WordPress block editor alone.

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Multisite

The theme works on multisite installs. Theme mods are stored per-site, so each site in the network can carry its own branding without affecting the others.
The setup wizard and demo import operate on the current site only. Running them from a network admin screen is not supported.

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Confirming your environment before installing

1

Run Site Health

Tools → Site Health → Status — address anything marked Critical or Recommended.
2

Check the PHP version

Tools → Site Health → Info → Server. You need 7.4 or higher.
3

Check PHP limits

In the same section, confirm memory_limit is at least 256M for comfortable editing.
4

Confirm HTTPS works

Visit your site over https://. If there is a browser warning, fix that first.