1) What is a Child Theme? Why use it?

Meaning: A child theme is a small theme that “inherits” everything from the parent (Astra).
Benefit: You can safely add code/CSS or override templates without losing changes when Astra updates.

Typical uses

Add custom CSS in style.css (beyond what you’d put in the Customizer).
Add small PHP tweaks in functions.php (filters, shortcodes, etc.).
Create/override template files (e.g., a special single post layout).

Bottom line: If you expect any code or template overrides, keep the child theme. It keeps your customizations update-safe.

2) Do you need “Starter Templates”? And what layouts does Astra already include?

Starter Templates: Optional. They’re just ready-made demo sites (content + design) to import.
If you want a clean, minimal install, you can skip them and build pages from scratch.

Astra (free) vs Astra PRO (Blog Pro)

Blog/archive layouts: Grid & List are available; Masonry, advanced “card” styles, infinite scroll, read-time, author box, featured post highlights, etc. come from Astra PRO → Blog Pro module.
Single post layout controls: Sidebar (left/right/no), content width, meta display, featured image placement, related posts (PRO), etc.

Where to set them

Appearance → Customize → Blog
- Blog / Archive: choose Grid/List, columns, metadata, excerpt, pagination, etc.
- Single Post: header/featured image position, meta, sidebar, width, related posts (if enabled).
Enable Astra PRO modules at Appearance → Astra Options (look for “Blog Pro”, “Sidebar Manager”, etc.).

Answer: You do not have to install Starter Templates. With Astra PRO enabled, you can get grid/list (and, via Blog Pro, masonry & richer controls) out of the box.

3) How to create “Post templates” (e.g., Full screen, Left sidebar, etc.)

You have three good paths—pick the simplest that fits your needs:

Path A — Use Astra’s built-in layout controls (fastest; no code)

Global default: Appearance → Customize → Blog → Single Post
- Set Sidebar (None / Left / Right), Content Width, Featured Image position, Meta, etc.
Per-post override: in the post editor, open the Astra Settings (usually a panel on the right/below):
- Sidebar: Default / Left / Right / No Sidebar
- Content Layout / Container: Full Width / Content Boxed / Stretched
- Disable Elements: (title, featured image, etc.) for “full-screen” look

This lets you effectively have “templates” like:

Full screen (No sidebar + Full Width/Stretched + hide title/featured image if desired)

Left sidebar (Sidebar = Left)

Classic (Right sidebar + normal width)

Path B — Make reusable “patterns” for content (no PHP, still clean)

Build a post structure in the block editor (hero, metadata block, featured image style, etc.).
Save it as a Pattern / Reusable block (Block toolbar → “Create pattern”).
When creating new posts, insert the pattern as your starting point.

Path C — Create true PHP “post templates” in your Child Theme (developer-style)

If you want a selectable Template in the post sidebar (like pages have), add a file to your child theme, e.g. single-fullscreen.php with this header:

<?php
/**
 * Template Name: Fullscreen Single Post
 * Template Post Type: post
 */
get_header();

// Your custom markup or calls to Astra hooks go here.
// You can copy Astra’s single layout as a base and adjust containers/sidebars.

get_footer();

Upload to /wp-content/themes/astra-child/.
In the post editor → Template dropdown, pick “Fullscreen Single Post.”

Use similar files for “Single Post (Left Sidebar)”, etc., or set the sidebar via hooks/classes.

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