How to include required plugins with WordPress theme?

Question

I am developing WordPress theme for the first time. While I distribute theme, I need to suggest required plugin to developer. Is there any way to include used plugin with theme package or suggest required plugin to them in list?

Answer 1

You can't do that technically because the plugins and themes are distributed separately. But, you could make a WordPress fork of sorts that includes the plugins together with your theme, and distribute it via Github.

Answer 2

There is a tricky way, check this. But its better to notify user to install required plugins using WordPress.