FAQ
Is Academia free?
Yes, and it stays free. It is licensed GPL v2 or later — the same licence as WordPress — so you can use it on personal, client and commercial sites, and modify it as you like.
Do I need the Academia Library plugin?
No. Without it, course sections read your posts and the filter still works with a page load per change. The plugin adds the course fields — level, duration, lessons, price, rating — and filtering without a reload. See Courses & the library.
Will I lose my courses if I change theme?
No. The Course content type is registered by the plugin, not the theme, so your catalogue stays in the database and stays editable whatever theme is active.
Can I use the LMS I already have?
Yes — Tutor LMS, LifterLMS, Sensei and LearnDash are read automatically, with no configuration. See Using your own LMS.
Does the course filter need JavaScript?
No. The server renders the finished, correct result for whatever is in the address bar, and the JavaScript only removes the page load. With scripts blocked you get an Apply filters button and ordinary page loads, and filtering, sorting and pagination all still work.
Can I sell course places?
Yes. Activate WooCommerce, make a product, and point the course's enrolment button at it. See WooCommerce.
Will applying a starter site delete my content?
No. A starter creates pages and never deletes any. Applying a second one leaves the first home page in your Pages list, and you can switch Settings → Reading back at any time. Courses, posts and media are never touched.
Is it accessible?
Every text and control colour meets WCAG AA contrast in both the light and dark
schemes, measured rather than asserted. There are visible focus rings on every
interactive element, prefers-reduced-motion is honoured, the scheme toggle
carries aria-pressed and an action-naming label, and the course count is
announced when a filter changes.
It has not been through the WordPress.org accessibility-ready review, which is a formal process we have not submitted it to.
Can I use it on a client site?
Yes. GPL v2 or later, no attribution required, no licence key, no seat limit.
Where do I get help?
Does it work with a page builder?
Academia is a block theme built for the Site Editor. Elementor, Divi and the rest generally work for individual page content, but you would be using their layout system instead of Academia's, which means losing the starter sites, the section rhythm and the Global Styles palettes. If you want a page builder, a classic theme is a better fit.