RCA Themer
Product overview
Status: v1 free (community lab) · v2 live panel in invite beta
Element (v2): plg_system_rca_themer
Product type: Helix / template CSS tool
v1 lab: https://recreatinganew.com/themer
HEADLINE
Design Helix colors without fighting the cascade.
SUBHEADLINE
v1 is a free hosted lab. v2 is a live Styles panel on your site (invite beta).
WHAT IT IS
RCA Themer has two editions. Do not mix the stories.
v1 (free, community) is a fixture lab at https://recreatinganew.com/themer. You load Helix-oriented controls against Helix / SP Page Builder chrome, tweak colors and CSS, then import or export custom.css and preset CSS. Nothing installs on your site. You paste the result into your template yourself.
v2 (paid / invite beta) is a Joomla system plugin: plg_system_rca_themer. It puts a floating DevTools-style Styles panel on your live frontend. Click elements, edit matched declarations, export dirty CSS, and optionally write surgically to allowlisted template CSS paths. Live write is off by default.
WHAT YOU GET
1. v1 — browser lab against Helix / SPPB fixtures, no site install.
2. v1 — import and export custom.css and preset CSS for paste into your template.
3. v2 — live Styles overlay on your own pages as a Super User.
4. v2 — click-to-inspect CSS declarations and export changed CSS for manual paste.
5. v2 — optional live write limited to allowlisted template CSS paths, with backups.
6. v2 — same-origin stylesheet support on Helix (and many builder pages).
7. v2 — Joomla 4 / 5 / 6 system plugin path (preferred over the optional HTML kit).
FEATURES
v1 hosted lab
1. Helix-oriented color and CSS controls in the browser.
2. Import and export custom.css and preset CSS.
3. Helix + SP Page Builder fixture chrome so you can design against familiar layouts.
4. No plugin, no FTP, no risk to your production files from the lab itself.
v2 on-site plugin (beta)
1. Floating Styles panel on your live site.
2. Click elements, see matched rules, edit declarations.
3. Export dirty CSS so you can paste into custom.css yourself.
4. Optional live write to allowlisted CSS paths only.
5. Live write off by default. Super User required. CSRF protected.
6. Backups under css/_themer_bak/ when live write runs.
7. Same-origin CSS only. Inline styles, shadow DOM, and cross-origin sheets are limited.
8. Helix is the primary target. Many SPPB / JPageBuilder / core pages work when stylesheets are same-origin.
9. Preferred delivery: Extension Manager ZIP for plg_system_rca_themer. Optional HTML kit exists for sites that cannot install a plugin ZIP.
WHO IT IS FOR
1. Helix Ultimate sites (Newsberg and other JoomShaper Helix templates) that keep overrides in custom.css.
2. Builders who refuse to hand-edit Helix-compiled template.css for day-to-day brand work.
3. Multi-preset / theme-switcher workflows that need per-preset CSS exports.
4. Anyone who wants a live Styles panel on their own frontend without buying a full design SaaS.
PAGE BUILDERS
1. v1 — Helix + SP Page Builder fixture lab. Not aimed at JPageBuilder-only workflows.
2. v2 — CSS and DOM based. Works on SPPB, JPageBuilder, or core when stylesheets are same-origin.
3. v2 limits — inline builder CSS, shadow DOM, and cross-origin sheets. Live write only hits allowlisted paths.
REQUIREMENTS
1. v1 — a modern browser. Visit https://recreatinganew.com/themer. Nothing else.
2. v2 — Joomla 4.x, 5.x, or 6.x.
3. v2 — ability to install a system plugin ZIP (preferred), or use the HTML kit if GinA ships that path for your case.
4. v2 — Super User access to open the Styles panel.
5. v2 live write — Helix (or other allowlisted CSS) and a site backup before you turn write on.
CAVEATS (READ THESE)
1. v1 designs against fixtures. Your live template may still need small tweaks after paste.
2. Put lasting overrides in custom.css (loads last). Do not hand-edit Helix-compiled template.css or stock presets for day-to-day work. Helix updates will wipe those.
3. Live write is beta. Default is write off. Enable only after export works and you have a backup.
4. Live write requires Super User plus CSRF. Optional write secret may apply. Paths must be allowlisted.
5. Same-origin CSS only for reliable inspection and write. Cross-origin CDN sheets will not cooperate.
6. Preferred path is the plugin ZIP. The HTML kit (Before Body inject plus optional root write helper) is for edge cases where Extension Manager install is blocked.
7. Pricing for paid Live (v2) is TBD during invite beta.
PRICING
Community (v1 lab): free
Live (v2 plugin): paid (TBD)
Beta: invite only
DOCS IN THIS FOLDER
product.md — this page
faq.md — straight answers
user-guide.md — v1 lab path, v2 beta path, use cases, troubleshooting
REQUEST V2 BETA
Email
Include:
1. Name
2. Email
3. Site URL
4. Joomla version (4 / 5 / 6)
5. Template (example: Newsberg / Helix Ultimate)
6. Page builder (SPPB / JPageBuilder / none / other)
7. Can you install a plugin ZIP? (yes / no)
8. Live write needed, or export only?
9. Hosting (shared / VPS / other) — optional
10. Notes — optional
GinA will reply with the right package (plugin, HTML kit, or lab-only) based on your answers.
GET IT
v1 lab: https://recreatinganew.com/themer
v2 beta:
Support: