This content originally appeared on Perishable Press and was authored by Jeff Starr
shapeSpace is the WordPress starter theme that I use to build sites like Perishable Press, Plugin-Planet.com, Digging Into WordPress, .htaccess made easy, and WP-Mix.com. I enjoy using shapeSpace because it includes all of the most commonly used template tags and outputs a minimal amount of clean markup. shapeSpace includes a robust set of custom functions within a lightweight set of template files. shapeSpace is a Classic WordPress Theme that balances simplicity with utility, flexibility, and performance. In a nutshell, the shapeSpace theme is a standards-based starter template that’s clean, current, and 100% free and open source (via GPL License).
Moving the website
For its first few years, the shapeSpace theme was hosted here at Perishable Press. Then in 2016, it moved to its own dedicated .io domain, where it remained until earlier this month. So now, as of August 2025, shapeSpace has returned to its original home at Perishable Press and will remain here going forward.
Why move it?
Gotta admit owning a dedicated .io domain just for shapeSpace was a good feeling. But life happens and things change. Currently low-key traveling around the United States working mobile style out of a built-out minivan, simplifying my work routine and streamlining my online presence is a new favorite (and worthwhile) goal.
Merging the shapeSpace homepage with Perishable Press brings these benefits:
- One less site to maintain
- One less set of files
- One less login/info
- One less domain name to renew every year
- One less bookmark
- Time and money saved
Just basically less liability overall. Smaller digital footprint, less time spent, fewer assets to manage, and so forth. And there is a tangible cost savings as well. I was paying around $50/year for the .io domain name. So will be saving 50 bucks a year going forward. Also saving the extra maintenance and admin time required to manage everything, which may not seem like much. Until you try doing what I am doing, and realize that literally every bit of data and micro action counts.
Downsides of moving
There are none. Needlessly hosting the project on its own domain was a vanity move. These days I am focused on practicality and simplicity.
About the site
The shapeSpace homepage is a super simple single-page site that serves up the theme’s current version, past versions, and the new lite version. Download any version of the theme with a click. It’s that simple. By design.
About the theme
Read the intro to this post for a good summary of what shapeSpace is all about. Then to dive in and learn more, check out the shapeSpace launch page. To download the latest version, past versions, or the lite version, visit the shapeSpace homepage.
This content originally appeared on Perishable Press and was authored by Jeff Starr