I’m not quite sure if this is the place to discuss this matter (and seems like I’m late too, sorry) but as for widgets in themes I have 2 questions:
(1) Enhancing native widgets
There is a usecase that wasn’t taken in account, I think:
I tend to enhance WordPress native widgets with additional functionality. That requires unregistering a native widget and registering a new enhanced code instead. This is forwards and backwards compatible way though.
It was discussed in WordPress.org theme repo too:
- Issue explanation: https://themes.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/46546#comment:8
- Conclusion/resolution: https://themes.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/46546#comment:26
So, are widget enhancements allowed by Envato too, or should all of these be a new widgets in a separate plugin?
(2) Functional widgets (with no content generation)
If a theme adds a custom search widget (for a Staff post type), should this also be added as a plugin? The widget produces no content at all, it’s just a functional widget providing better search options for dedicated post type.
Could these types of widgets be included with theme?
Thanks for any input on these!