Core Framework necessary?

1

Hi everyone,

with Bricks adding more native features over time — especially things like the new Color Manager, CSS variables, utility classes, theme styles, typography/spacing scales, etc. — I’m wondering how the community currently sees tools like Core Framework and Advanced Themer.

I own both and have used them because they added a lot of structure and workflow improvements that Bricks didn’t have natively before.

But now I’m asking myself:

  • Do Core Framework and Advanced Themer still provide enough real value today?

  • Or is Bricks native now good enough for most projects?

  • Where do you still see a clear benefit in using them?

  • And where do you think they have become redundant because Bricks now covers those areas itself?

My current impression is:

  • Core Framework seems to overlap more and more with what Bricks now does natively, especially around colors, variables, utilities, and design system structure.

  • Advanced Themer feels like it may still have more value because it improves workflow, builder UX, and day-to-day productivity rather than only managing design tokens.

So I’d be really interested in hearing how others handle this in 2026:

  • Are you still using Core Framework?

  • Are you still using Advanced Themer?

  • If yes: for which specific reasons/features?

  • If no: what made you drop them?

I’m mainly trying to avoid unnecessary overlap, double maintenance, and too many layers in my Bricks stack.

Curious to hear how others approach this.

2 Likes
2

Still using CF, mainly because I want all classes available in the Gutenberg editor as well. Bricks doesn’t do this (yet). And the interface is somewhat easier, but yeah, that’s more because I’ve used it longer I think…

3

I asked similar question on the FB group, search for: Bricks Native Framework vs CSS Framework?

Might be useful, cheers!

5

I have all major css LTDs.
everyone had some sort of feud with the bricks team, the drama after 2.2 update is written in the history. You know the main 3 names.

I kept seeing post for people wanting ways to use tools without plugins, or deleting said plugins after importing the functionality, and I was like, why would they want that. This was before 2.2 drama. Now I’ve seen and understood. Less vendor lock the beter.

Especially if you have to handover the site to the client and you won’t have to list them plugin list to buy just for the site to contine.

Hey, the site uses,
ACSS
Frames
AT
etc.

Make sure to pay $200-some yearly or your site won’t get updates. For a site built under 1,000 dollars.

Frankly $200 isn’t really that much for a site that makes you money, but for a portfolio site, makes no sense.

One plugin said they will stop support but after backlash they said it won’t happen.
One said they are not eager to work on updates as a priority.
One has independant busines model and bricks is really not the bread & butter for them.

All these factors strongly makes me wants to shift towards something that removes all of the said factors aside.

And bricks wireframe tokens/variables are the first viable solution. It’s not just a blanks slate for me at least, as I have something that is a levarge for the framework and that is Brixies.

They compiled the bricks tokens AND a basic bricks theme setup, similar to what ATF does, almost same. And becuase me and many small site to medium sites user use brixes (in-my-obervation) it’s a win-win situation for me.

No one can now tell me that, a framework is battle tested, build by people who know ins and outs of css and the design problems. These template builders are professionals who know their stuff 10 folds than me, so I’m not building anything from scratch, I’m using their set of setup.

Recently I dropped ATF and used their setup to convert my training project, and it was smooth and familiar experience.

Time will tell, but so far the start is very good for me.

6

100% agree and these are some very good points. Personally, people in the Dev space can be entitled children and there are a few that stand out forsure.

Bricks is an amazing product, period. You can do anything you want with it in it’s native state – all these plugins do is create this drama, headaches, and costs – why bother. Most people who use them don’t know what they are doing in the first place and just want to “plug and pray” their way to building sites.

At the end of the day, you don’t need any of these extras. Take the time to learn CSS and stop cutting corners. It will in your best interest and the best interest of your clients at the end of the day (or maybe one likes drama and don’t really care to learn and that is fine too if that floats your boat).

7

Haha loved what you did there.
I started to research about bricks, and first thing I noticed was hype around must have plugins.
CF did something very nice to offer webapp for free. As an absolute beginner, it went over my head, the plugin at that time made more sense.

AT must say brought innovation plus the ATF was highly welcomed.

The only must have buy for me would only be Brixies, alas at that time it was only possible with a css framework, CF or AT for me.
Now, all i need is bricks, and brixies.

I have yet to work on a paid project and i’m close to $1000 dollar down.
Wish i started a bit late.

8

I hear yah – starting out can confusing at times on what to use or what to buy. But in all seriousness, at the end of the day Bricks is all you need outside of a custom fields builder, as that extends things to a whole new level.

But these CSS frameworks, Prebuilt libraries maybe helpful in the short term, but in the long term if you are learning don’t teach you, but can promote bad habits and follow opinionated logic (This also goes with AI slop garbage as well).

This is just my perspective, but it seems people (beginners) are more focused on how “fast” they can do something then doing what they are doing “properly”. From my experience, clients don’t care how long it takes, just as long as it works when it is done. Cutting corners never helps anyone.

Anyways, just my thoughts –

P.S. Yah the ‘Plug & Pray” was from back in the day when I was a Network Administrator and we used that term when upgrading Windows Servers. LOL

1 Like