Drupal Resources: Tutorials, Themes, Extensions and Tools

Drupal Resources, Tutorials and Development Tools

Drupal is an open-source content management system and application framework used to build everything from content-rich websites to complex digital platforms. This guide brings together practical Drupal resources for learning, site building and development, including official documentation, themes, templates, modules, Composer workflows, beginner tutorials, videos, cheat sheets, Docker environments and real-world website examples. Use the section links below to find the resource you need, whether you are launching your first Drupal site or maintaining an established project.

Why Use Drupal?

Drupal provides structured content management, granular permissions, multilingual capabilities, configurable workflows and an extensible module system. These features make it useful for organizations that need to manage large volumes of content, multiple user roles or several publishing channels from one platform.

Developers can use Drupal as a traditional CMS or as the content layer for modern web applications. Its APIs and extension system support connections to CRM platforms, analytics, email marketing tools and other services. The right choice still depends on the project: Drupal rewards careful architecture and is especially well suited to sites that need flexible content models, permissions and room to grow.

Drupal Learning Roadmap and Resource Guide

New to Drupal? Learn site-building concepts before adding complex extensions or writing custom code. The following roadmap pairs each stage with a practical outcome, so you can choose tutorials and tools that match your experience.

What should you learn first in Drupal?

Which Drupal resource should you use?

For dependable technical details, use current official documentation first. Older Drupal 7, 8 and 9 tutorials in this directory may still help with legacy maintenance, but their installation steps, interfaces and APIs should not automatically be applied to a new project.

Django Resources

Related Posts

Node.js Resources

A Large Open-Source Ecosystem

Drupal’s community maintains contributed themes, modules, distributions and documentation that can extend a site without requiring every feature to be built from scratch. Before installing a contributed project, check its supported Drupal versions, maintenance status, security coverage and documentation. Your server should also meet the requirements of the Drupal release you plan to use. If you need a compatible environment, review these Drupal hosting services.

Drupal Resources

Drupalize.me

Drupal documentation and learning resources for newcomers, site builders and developers. Topics include using Drupal, building themes, writing modules and working with contributed projects.

Drupal Groups

A community collection of education-related Drupal websites, case studies, tools and resources, including examples from colleges and schools.

Tutorialspoint

A short directory of additional Drupal learning material for readers who want to explore the CMS in greater depth.

Drupal Groups

Community resources for libraries using Drupal, including information about Islandora and integrations for managing and displaying digital collections.

Drupal.org

The official home of Drupal provides software downloads, project listings, documentation, security advisories, community information and support resources.

Drupal Resources and Tutorials

The Baskin School of Engineering’s collection of Drupal resources and tutorials includes guidance for working with its institutional Drupal environment.

Drupal 4U

A Drupal-focused resource covering the open-source software, its content-management capabilities and ways to customize a site.

Drupal Themes

Drupal.org

The official Drupal theme directory. Filter projects by maintenance status, security coverage, compatibility and other criteria before choosing a theme for your site.

Drupal Free Themes

A categorized collection of free Drupal themes with filtering tools that can help users compare design options.

Drupal Website Maker

A visual Drupal website and theme builder designed for creating customized layouts without manually writing all the CSS or HTML. Review its current Drupal compatibility before beginning a project.

Digital Template Market

A collection of free Drupal themes presented with basic search and sorting options. Confirm version compatibility and support before using a theme on a production site.

Template Monster

A commercial marketplace offering Drupal themes for different industries and website styles. Compare responsive design, documentation, support and Drupal version compatibility when evaluating a template.

Creative Bloq

A roundup of Drupal themes with different layouts, color schemes and presentation styles. Because theme collections can age, verify that a featured theme still supports your Drupal release.

MoreThan Themes

A selection of free and premium Drupal themes with installation guidance, documentation and support information.

Drupal Templates

Drupal Free Themes

A categorized directory of Drupal themes with filtering options for finding a design that fits a project.

Symphony Themes

A collection of Drupal themes and templates, including mobile-ready options. Check the stated Drupal version before downloading.

Templates.com

Commercial Drupal templates for changing a site’s layout and visual presentation. Evaluate accessibility, update history and compatibility as well as appearance.

techpikk.com

A roundup of free and premium Drupal themes and templates for business, service and portfolio websites.

Drupal Extensions

Drupal.org

The Extensions project demonstrates an alternative approach to pluggable object creation. Review the project page carefully because it states that the project is not covered by Drupal’s security advisory policy.

Drupal Commerce

A directory of extensions developed for Drupal Commerce. These packages can add payment, product, checkout and other commerce-related functionality to compatible Drupal sites.

Drupal.org

Drupal API documentation for the ExtensionList class, which handles available extensions by type, such as modules, themes and installation profiles.

logical read.com

An overview of Drupal development, monitoring tools and extensions that can add capabilities to a Drupal installation.

CiviCRM

A centralized directory of modules and extensions that add functionality to CiviCRM installations. It is useful for organizations exploring Drupal-based CRM tools and integrations.

Opensource.com

An introduction to several Drupal modules and the types of functionality extensions can add. Verify that any older recommendation remains maintained and compatible before using it.

Drupal Plugin API

Official documentation for Drupal’s Plugin API, which powers extension types such as blocks, field types and custom plugins.

Token Module

A flexible placeholder-token system used by many Drupal modules to generate dynamic text and configuration values.

Pathauto Module

A contributed module that automatically creates descriptive URL aliases for Drupal content using configurable patterns.

Drupal Manual

Drupal.org

An official overview of Drupal 9 resources and the transition from Drupal 8. It is useful for maintaining older projects, while the current documentation should be used for new installations.

Kent State University

An institutional Drupal training manual covering supported content-management tasks and standards. Its instructions are specific to Kent State’s implementation, but the material may still help other editors understand common workflows.

Drupal.org

The official Drupal User Guide introduces installation, administration, site building and maintenance for readers with limited Drupal experience.

Drupalize.Me

The community-written Drupal User Guide presented with supporting videos from Drupalize.Me. It provides a structured starting point for learning Drupal concepts and site-building skills.

Drupal.org

The community project responsible for writing, editing and translating the Drupal User Guide.

Grand Rapids Community College

An institutional user manual explaining how Grand Rapids Community College creates, manages and publishes web content with Drupal.

Drupal.org

The main Drupal documentation portal. Start with the local development guide to install a development site, then use the User Guide and API documentation as your project advances.

Drupal Composer

drupal.org

The official guide to using Composer, the dependency manager for PHP, with Drupal. Drupal uses Composer to manage core dependencies such as Symfony components and Guzzle, and site owners can use it to install and update compatible packages consistently.

Drupal Composer

Information about the Drupal Composer community initiative and its work to support Composer-based Drupal projects.

Drupal.org

A Drupal project that provides Composer-related integration with Drush. Read its project status and release information before using it with a current site.

GitHub

A project template for managing a Drupal site and its dependencies with Composer. Check the repository status and documentation before selecting it for a new installation.

drupalize.me

A tutorial explaining how to start a Drupal application from a project template with Composer’s create-project command.

Medium.com

A walkthrough explaining how to apply a patch to a Drupal 8 project through Composer. Treat it as legacy-version guidance and compare it with current Drupal documentation.

Drupalize.Me

Drupal training for Composer, which serves a role similar to npm in the Node.js ecosystem or Bundler for Ruby on Rails. The lessons cover Drupal dependencies and third-party PHP libraries used by contributed modules.

modulesunraveled.com

A tutorial for creating a Drupal 8 project with Composer and installing its required packages. Use it for legacy projects and consult current documentation when starting a new site.

Drupal Tutorials

Drupal.org

A collection of community-contributed Drupal customization tutorials.

Tutorialspoint

An introductory lesson explaining how Drupal extensions add functionality to a website.

bitdegree.org

A beginner-oriented course that introduces Drupal site creation before moving into more advanced features and functionality.

FastComet

A series of free Drupal tutorials covering common setup and site-management tasks.

drupalize.me

An introduction to Drupal’s Layout Builder, a visual interface that lets authorized users arrange fields, blocks and other components. It is one of several useful design tools available to site builders who want more control over page layouts.

DigitalOcean

A collection of Drupal tutorials, including server installation and configuration topics. Drupal runs on PHP and uses a supported database, such as MySQL.

Tutorialspoint

A beginner tutorial covering fundamental Drupal concepts and basic website creation.

DrupalTutor

Drupal training and online classes taught by an experienced Drupal developer.

Drupal Tutorials for Beginners

Drupal.org

The Drupal Cookbook walks beginners through a basic Drupal setup. Because parts of the material cover older releases, compare its interface instructions with the documentation for the version you are using.

udemy.com

A Drupal 8 course that progresses from beginner lessons to more advanced examples. It is primarily relevant to readers maintaining Drupal 8 projects.

Lynda.com

Essential training for Drupal 8 covering local installation, interface navigation, site configuration, content creation and moving a site to a server. It remains useful for legacy Drupal 8 projects.

Bitdegree.org

A Drupal tutorial that begins with basic website creation and introduces more advanced features as the course progresses.

Ufba

A downloadable beginner’s guide to Drupal distributed under a Creative Commons Non-Commercial Share-Alike license. The interface may differ from current Drupal releases.

Drupal Videos

YouTube.com

A brief introduction to Drupal 8 and the changes it introduced. This video is most useful for understanding older Drupal 8 projects.

Drupal.org

The project page for a contributed video-management module. If you only need to embed content from YouTube or another provider, compare the module with Drupal’s core media features first.

Drupal.org

Documentation for the contributed Video module, including media embedding, uploads and HTML5 playback. Confirm the module’s current release compatibility before adopting it.

YouTube.com

A free playlist of beginner tutorials for Drupal 8. Use it for foundational concepts or legacy-site maintenance.

YouTube.com

A tutorial series introducing Drupal 7 from the basics. Drupal 7 has reached end of life, so this material should only be used when understanding or migrating an older site.

Drupal Groups

An archive of Drupal-related videos collected by the Los Angeles Drupal community.

AGILEDROP

A tutorial explaining how to embed video content in Drupal 8. Although the interface may differ in newer releases, it can help readers understand Drupal’s media approach.

Drupal Cheat Sheets

Cheatography.com

A tagged collection of Drupal cheat sheets, including quick references for theming, development and pre-launch checks.

Drupal.org

A community-created Drupal cheat sheet that condenses useful commands, functions and development tips into a short reference.

Drupal.org

A quick reference to filters and functions supplied by the contributed Twig Tweak module, with examples for rendering Drupal entities, fields, views and other output.

UT Austin

An institutional Drupal cheat sheet covering page updates, content creation and style guidelines.

Pinterest.com

A visual Drupal 8 configuration-schema cheat sheet for developers working with older Drupal projects.

Drupalize.Me

A theming cheat sheet featuring a Twig template example, template-override steps, variable inspection and guidance for interpreting Twig debugging output.

Drupal.org - Form API Reference

A detailed reference for Drupal’s Form API, including form structure, properties, validation and submission handlers.

Drupal.org - Database API Reference

Official Drupal Database API documentation covering query construction, result handling and recommended database-development practices.

Drupal Docker

GitHub

The source repository for Docker’s official Drupal image. It is maintained through the Docker Official Images program and is separate from the upstream Drupal project.

Docker Hub

The Docker Hub page for Drupal’s official container image, including tags, usage instructions and configuration information.

Drupal.org

Official guidance for choosing and using Docker-based Drupal development environments. Containers can make local services and dependencies more reproducible across a team.

Drupal VM

Documentation for using Drupal VM with Docker instead of, or alongside, Vagrant. Check the project’s maintenance status before building a new development workflow around it.

DigitalOcean

A step-by-step tutorial for installing Drupal with Docker Compose. The approach packages services such as the web server, PHP and database into containers rather than installing each component directly on the host.

Drupalize.Me

A Docker course for Drupal developers that explains how containerized environments can reduce differences between local development and production configurations.

Duvien.com

A walkthrough for creating a Drupal 8 test environment with Docker. It also introduces images, containers and the Docker engine for readers new to containerized development.

Lando – Local Drupal Development with Docker

Lando is a Docker-based local development tool with preconfigured Drupal recipes and commands designed to simplify project setup.

DDEV – Drupal Quickstart Guide

DDEV is a Docker-powered local development environment. Its Drupal quick-start guide explains how to configure and launch a working Drupal project.

Wodby Docker4Drupal

Docker4Drupal is a preconfigured container stack for Drupal development with services such as Nginx, PHP, MariaDB and Redis.

Drupal Website Examples

These websites have been cited as Drupal examples or have used Drupal technology. Large organizations can change platforms, front-end frameworks or sections of a site over time, so verify the current technology before using any example as the basis for a technical decision.

What to look for in Drupal website examples

Study content structures and publishing needs rather than assuming a listed organization currently uses Drupal across its entire website. Universities may illustrate complex content hierarchies, public-sector sites accessibility and multilingual needs, and editorial sites workflows and reusable content. The list below is historical and illustrative, not a verified inventory of current Drupal installations.

Drupal Best Practices for Site Owners and Developers

A dependable Drupal site needs more than compatible themes and modules. Plan updates, permissions, content structure, backups and testing as part of routine maintenance.

• Keep software supported and updated: Monitor Drupal security advisories and use supported releases of Drupal core, PHP and contributed projects. Check version requirements before upgrading.
• Use Composer for dependency management: Manage modern Drupal project dependencies consistently, keep the Composer lockfile in version control and test updates before deployment.
• Apply least-privilege access: Give users only the permissions their roles need; protect administrator accounts and periodically review access.
• Review contributed projects: Check compatibility, release and maintenance status, documentation, dependencies and Drupal security advisory coverage. Security coverage is not a guarantee that a project has no vulnerabilities.
• Manage configuration deliberately: Use Drupal configuration management to move suitable site configuration between environments. Treat content and environment-specific secrets separately.
• Maintain recoverable backups: Back up the database, uploaded files and relevant configuration; periodically test restoration.
• Test before production: Use development or staging environments to check updates, custom code, themes, content workflows and accessibility.
• Review performance: Configure appropriate caching, optimize media and investigate slow requests before adding more extensions.

Drupal core, module, theme and recipe compared

Before installing a Drupal module or theme

Check that the project supports your Drupal release, has an appropriate maintained version, documents its dependencies and has a suitable security posture. Review its issue queue, license and accessibility where relevant. Confirm that Drupal core does not already meet your need, then install and test the project on a non-production copy before deploying it.

Drupal FAQ

What is Drupal used for?

Drupal is used to build and manage websites and digital applications. Its structured content, permissions, workflows, multilingual features and extension system are especially useful for content-heavy sites and organizations with complex publishing requirements. Explore related topics in the RSH Web blog index.

Is Drupal free?

Yes. Drupal is free, open-source software. A complete website may still involve costs for hosting, development, design, maintenance or paid third-party services. See the Drupal hosting information for hosting considerations.

What is the difference between a Drupal theme and a module?

A theme controls how a Drupal site is presented, including its layout and visual styling. A module adds or changes functionality. Site owners should check compatibility, maintenance status and security coverage before installing either one.

Do Drupal sites use Composer?

Modern Drupal projects commonly use Composer to manage Drupal core, contributed projects and PHP dependencies. Composer records package requirements, and its lockfile helps development, testing and production environments install consistent versions. Learn more about the underlying language in What Is PHP?.

Can Drupal run in Docker?

Yes. Drupal can run in containers, and tools such as DDEV, Lando and Docker4Drupal provide Drupal-oriented local development workflows. A container setup can package services such as the web server, PHP and database into a repeatable environment.

Where should a beginner start learning Drupal?

Start with the official Drupal User Guide to learn core concepts, content creation, site building and administration. Then create a local practice site and move on to Composer, theming, modules and development topics as needed. Browse the RSH Web article directory for related web development guides.

What should I check before installing a Drupal module?

Check compatibility with your Drupal version, maintenance and release history, dependencies, documentation, issue reports and Drupal security advisory coverage. Security advisory coverage does not guarantee a project is vulnerability-free. Test the module in a development or staging environment before adding it to a live site.

How do I keep a Drupal website secure?

Use supported Drupal and PHP releases, apply security updates promptly after appropriate testing, restrict permissions, protect administrator accounts and maintain tested backups. Review contributed code and monitor advisories. For related organizational security practices, read Cybersecurity and Compliance Tips.

What is Drush used for in Drupal?

Drush is a command-line tool for Drupal administration and development. Depending on the installed version, it can help run maintenance tasks, rebuild caches, manage configuration and execute updates. Match your Drush version to the Drupal version and review the relevant command documentation.

What is Drupal configuration management?

Drupal configuration management lets developers export and import supported site configuration, helping teams track and deploy settings between environments. It is distinct from migrating content and should be planned carefully for environment-specific settings and sensitive information.

Should I use Composer to update Drupal?

For modern Composer-managed Drupal installations, use Composer to update the relevant packages and dependencies, following the official Drupal update instructions. Back up the site, review compatibility and release notes, and test database updates and functionality before deploying changes.

What is a practical way to develop Drupal locally?

Use a supported local development environment such as DDEV or Lando, or configure a suitable Docker-based stack. Keep project dependencies and configuration under version control, use test data where appropriate and check the target hosting environment's PHP, database and web server requirements. For hosting and account-management guidance, visit RSH Web Support.

Author Bio: Mark Cole

Digital content writer with a passion for creating clear, engaging and informative copy. Mark has more than nine years of international copywriting experience.

We would love to hear from you. Share your experience or ask any questions in the comments below and we will be happy to help.

Tweet  Share  Pin  Email