Acquia FE Specialist (D10) study plan
Acquia FE Specialist (D10) · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Fundamental Web Development Concepts
Explain the request/response lifecycle of a Drupal page render from browser to HTML output
Diagram how a theme, base theme, and subtheme relate in a Drupal site
Identify the roles of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and HTTP in a Drupal front end
Set up a local Drupal 10 site with a custom subtheme
Your checkpoint
A one-page annotated diagram of the Drupal render pipeline with a working local subtheme installed
Drupal Theming Fundamentals
Create a subtheme from a base theme and configure its .info.yml file
Override a base theme template using the subtheme templates directory
Explain the Drupal theme registry and template suggestion hierarchy
Use Twig debug mode to identify which template renders a given component
Your checkpoint
A subtheme repository with at least three template overrides and debug output screenshots
Drupal Theming Fundamentals & Twig Templating
Convert a static HTML component into a Drupal Twig template
Use Twig variables, filters, and conditionals to render dynamic content
Implement a preprocess function to add a custom variable to a template
Explain how Twig auto-escaping works and when to use the raw filter
Your checkpoint
A reusable Twig component (e.g., card or hero) with preprocess logic and a README documenting its variables
Twig Templating
Use Twig inheritance with extends, block, and include
Create and use a Twig macro for repeated markup
Debug Twig errors using Drupal's Twig debug settings and error messages
Apply Twig best practices for whitespace control and attribute objects
Your checkpoint
A template family using inheritance and macros, plus a written list of Twig debugging steps
Twig Templating & Theme Development Best Practices
Refactor a template to move logic out of Twig and into preprocess functions
Explain the difference between preprocess and process functions and when to use each
Apply Drupal coding standards to theme files and templates
Document a subtheme's structure and override strategy
Your checkpoint
A refactored subtheme with a coding-standards-compliant structure and a written architecture note
Theme Development Best Practices
Implement a responsive layout using Drupal's breakpoint and responsive image configuration
Configure a Drupal theme to use a CSS/JS library via a libraries.yml file
Explain how theme assets are attached globally versus per-template
Audit a theme for common best-practice violations (inline styles, hardcoded paths)
Your checkpoint
A theme audit report with fixes applied to at least five best-practice issues
Front End Performance and Accessibility
Measure front-end performance using Lighthouse and identify the top three issues
Optimize images using Drupal responsive image styles and modern formats
Implement lazy loading and defer non-critical JavaScript
Explain the performance impact of render caching and cache tags in a theme
Your checkpoint
A before/after Lighthouse report showing measurable performance improvements
Front End Performance and Accessibility & Twig Templating
Audit a Drupal theme for WCAG 2.1 AA issues using automated and manual checks
Fix accessibility issues in Twig templates (semantic markup, ARIA, focus order)
Validate HTML and Twig output for accessibility and correctness
Review all domains and complete a practice assessment
Your checkpoint
An accessibility audit report with fixes applied and a completed practice assessment score
Milestones
Week 2: Can explain the Drupal theme layer and demonstrate a working subtheme with template overrides
Week 4: Can build a Twig component from scratch using inheritance, macros, and preprocess functions
Week 6: Can audit and refactor a theme against Drupal best practices without guidance
Week 8: Can measure and improve both performance and accessibility of a Drupal theme, and score above 80% on a practice assessment