Change how themes include plugins

[dmchale]

Many theme authors choose to include plugins directly, "baked in" to the theme itself and site admins rely on theme updates to update those plugins. With scenarios like the Revolution Slider exploit, I think many of us agree that this is a less than ideal situation.

I propose one of two methods to help "fix" the issue and put more control of what plugins run into the hands of the site owners

1) Create a means where themes can include plugins within their own structure. Perhaps a /plugins directory within the theme folder would be enough (with the ability for theme authors to override that location if they wish). Allow plugins included this way to be seen on the Plugins Dashboard so that site owners may, at the VERY least, update the included plugins instead of relying on the theme authors. Possibly allow/disallow deactivation of these plugins - though I would lean towards allowing deactivation.

2) Build in functionality to Core which gives theme authors the same functionality as ​http://tgmpluginactivation.com/ - allowing a theme author to selectively recommend/force plugins to be installed which are required by the theme. This still lets an author require the functionality, but gives the site owner control over these plugins along with all "normal" plugins that the site owner chooses to install.

This should become the new "normal". Let's stop baked-in plugins.

[rilwis]

FYI, scribu built [a plugin](​https://wordpress.org/plugins/plugin-dependencies/) for plugin dependencies. It's used only for plugins, but I think it would be awesome if we can do the same for themes and also include that in the core.

[obenland]

Plugins should not be part of a theme ever. Also, a theme should not require a specific plugin, but rather be built in a way that it works just fine without it.

I'm not sure I don't see it as a pressing need, honestly. It shouldn't be an excuse to do things the wrong way, just because there is not a core functionality around it. Themes can always just revert to displaying a notice to circumvent a Revolution Slider issue.

But I understand how a feature like that would be nice to have.

[wonderboymusic]

Themes including plugins is not something we are looking to support, possibly ever, but let us know if you have anything else to report. We'll definitely take a look at it and offer feedback. Thank for the report.