Force CakePHP plugin to use its own layout - cakephp

Question

I have written a CakePHP plugin https://github.com/anuj9196/CakePHP-App-Installer
The plugin is using default.ctp layout from plugin_path/src/template/layout/default.ctp
When there is some other theme used in the host application. Like in my case I have setup one in AppController's beforeRender()
$this->viewBuilder()->setTheme('DashboardTemplate');
DashboardTemplate is in application's /plugin/ directory.
Now, when I access my plugin's URL using example.com/installer/install
The template loads on top of DashboardTemplate theme.
How can I disable them in plugin's AppController?
The AppController inside plugin directory contains
<?php
namespace Installer\Controller;
use App\Controller\AppController as BaseController;
class AppController extends BaseController
{
// nothing here
}

Answer 1

Remove the theme by using beforeRender() in your plugin's AppController.
<?php
namespace Installer\Controller;
use App\Controller\AppController as BaseController;
class AppController extends BaseController
{
/**
* #param \Cake\Event\Event $event The beforeRender event.
* #return \Cake\Http\Response|null|void
*/
public function beforeRender(Event $event)
{
try {
return parent::beforeRender($event);
} finally {
$this->viewBuilder()->setTheme(null);
}
}
}

Answer 2

You can switch between layouts in your view and controllers fairly easily.. using plugin syntax
// inside controller
$this ->layout = 'Plugin.layout';
//inside view template
$this ->layout = 'Plugin.layout';
If you just want to disable the theme, use Mathew's method above. But be careful that will disable the theme for the whole application not just this plugin in case some of your app code is ran after your plugin