Summary: Learning about WordPress Block Theme.
Block Themes are WordPress themes designed specifically to leverage the Block Editor (Gutenberg) for full site customization. Unlike traditional themes that rely heavily on PHP templates, Block Themes use blocks for both content and layout, enabling users to edit all aspects of their site within the WordPress editor interface.
- Full Site Editing (FSE): Block Themes fully support FSE, allowing users to edit headers, footers, sidebars, and other template parts using blocks.
- Template-Based Structure: Themes are built using HTML files that define templates and template parts.
theme.json
Configuration: Centralized configuration file for theme settings, styles, and block configurations.- Minimal PHP: Often, Block Themes minimize PHP usage, relying instead on block-based structures and configurations.
- User-Friendly Customization: Users can make extensive design changes without touching code.
- Consistency: Ensures design consistency across the site through reusable blocks and templates.
- Flexibility: Facilitates rapid design iterations and updates.
- Modern Workflow: Aligns with modern web development practices and the direction of WordPress’s evolution.
Block Themes vs. Classic Themes
- Classic Themes:
- Utilize PHP template files (
header.php
,footer.php
,single.php
, etc.). - Rely on the traditional WordPress Theme Customizer for settings.
- Use widgets and custom menus for additional functionalities.
- Utilize PHP template files (
- Block Themes:
- Use HTML-based templates (
index.html
,single.html
, etc.) leveraging blocks. - Utilize
theme.json
for settings instead of the Theme Customizer. - Integrate reusable blocks and patterns for design elements.
- Use HTML-based templates (
- Classic Themes:
- Customization often involves editing PHP, CSS, and sometimes JavaScript files.
- Limited to the predefined template structures unless modified.
- Block Themes:
- Customization is done entirely within the Block Editor interface.
- Users can create and modify templates and template parts using blocks.
- No need to modify theme files for layout changes.
- Classic Themes:
- Emphasize PHP-based development with a mix of HTML, CSS, and JS.
- Requires knowledge of WordPress’s PHP APIs and template hierarchy.
- Block Themes:
- Focus on HTML and JSON configurations (
theme.json
). - Leverage block-based development, often integrating modern JavaScript frameworks if needed.
- Simplified structure conducive to rapid development and iteration.
- Focus on HTML and JSON configurations (
- Classic Themes:
- Depend on PHP and server-side rendering.
- Less integration with the Block Editor, though compatible.
- Block Themes:
- Designed to work seamlessly with the Block Editor and FSE.
- Embrace client-side rendering and dynamic block capabilities.
Features of Block Themes
Block Themes bring a suite of features that enhance the flexibility and user experience of WordPress websites.
Full Site Editing (FSE)
FSE allows users to edit all parts of their website using the Block Editor, including headers, footers, sidebars, and more. This unified editing experience simplifies site management and design.
Template-Based Structure
Block Themes utilize a collection of HTML-based template files that define different parts of the site. These templates are composed of blocks, allowing for granular control over each section.
theme.json
Configuration
A centralized configuration file that manages theme settings, styles, and block-specific options. It provides a streamlined approach to controlling the appearance and behavior of blocks across the site.
Block Patterns and Reusable Blocks
- Block Patterns: Predefined block arrangements that can be inserted into pages and templates for consistent layouts.
- Reusable Blocks: Blocks saved for repeated use across different areas of the site, ensuring uniformity and ease of updates.
Global Styles
Define global design settings such as colors, typography, and spacing that apply across all blocks and templates, ensuring a cohesive design language throughout the site.
Accessibility and Responsiveness
Block Themes are built with accessibility standards in mind and are inherently responsive, adapting to various screen sizes and devices to provide an optimal user experience.
Minimal PHP Dependency
By leveraging blocks and theme.json
, Block Themes often require less PHP code, making them lighter and easier to maintain.
Setting Up a Block Theme
Creating and setting up a Block Theme involves several steps, from initializing theme files to configuring theme.json
.
- WordPress Installation: Ensure we have a working WordPress installation (preferably the latest version).
- Development Environment: Set up a local development environment using tools like Local by Flywheel, XAMPP, or MAMP.
- Code Editor: Use a code editor like Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, or Atom.
- Basic Knowledge: Familiarity with HTML, CSS, and some understanding of WordPress theme development.
Create Theme Directory
Navigate to the wp-content/themes/
directory and create a new folder for our Block Theme, e.g., my-block-theme
.
wp-content/
└── themes/
└── my-block-theme/
Create style.css
Every WordPress theme requires a style.css
file with theme metadata.
/*
Theme Name: My Block Theme
Theme URI: https://example.com/my-block-theme
Author: Your Name
Author URI: https://example.com
Description: A custom block-based WordPress theme.
Version: 1.0
License: GNU General Public License v2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html
Text Domain: my-block-theme
*/
Create theme.json
The theme.json
file defines global settings, styles, and block configurations.
{
"version": 2,
"settings": {
"color": {
"palette": [
{
"name": "Primary",
"slug": "primary",
"color": "#3490dc"
},
{
"name": "Secondary",
"slug": "secondary",
"color": "#ffed4a"
}
],
"custom": false,
"customGradient": false
},
"typography": {
"fontSizes": [
{
"name": "Small",
"slug": "small",
"size": "12px"
},
{
"name": "Normal",
"slug": "normal",
"size": "16px"
},
{
"name": "Large",
"slug": "large",
"size": "36px"
}
],
"customFontSize": false
}
},
"styles": {
"color": {
"background": "#ffffff",
"text": "#333333"
},
"typography": {
"fontFamily": "Arial, sans-serif",
"fontSize": "16px"
}
}
}
Define Templates and Template Parts
Templates
Templates define the structure of different types of pages (e.g., home, single post).
index.html
: The default template.single.html
: Template for single posts.page.html
: Template for pages.
<!-- wp:template-part {"slug":"header"} /-->
<!-- wp:post-title /-->
<!-- wp:post-content /-->
<!-- wp:template-part {"slug":"footer"} /-->
Template Parts
Template Parts are reusable sections like headers and footers.
header.html
<!-- wp:group {"tagName":"header","className":"site-header"} -->
<div class="wp-block-group site-header">
<!-- wp:site-logo /-->
<!-- wp:site-title /-->
<!-- wp:navigation /-->
</div>
<!-- /wp:group -->
footer.html
<!-- wp:group {"tagName":"footer","className":"site-footer"} -->
<div class="wp-block-group site-footer">
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>© 2024 Your Site Name. All rights reserved.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
</div>
<!-- /wp:group -->
Enqueue Block Styles
Block Themes typically use style.css
for styles. However, to ensure styles are loaded correctly, we may need to enqueue additional styles or scripts.
In Block Themes, many styles are managed via theme.json
. If we need to add custom styles, create a styles.css
or similar and enqueue it using functions.php
.
functions.php
:
<?php
function my_block_theme_setup() {
// Register support for Block Styles.
add_theme_support( 'wp-block-styles' );
// Enqueue styles if necessary.
// wp_enqueue_style( 'my-block-theme-style', get_stylesheet_uri(), array(), '1.0' );
}
add_action( 'after_setup_theme', 'my_block_theme_setup' );
?>
Full Site Editing (FSE)
Full Site Editing is a cornerstone of Block Themes, enabling comprehensive control over all aspects of a WordPress site through the Block Editor.
Full Site Editing (FSE) allows users to edit and customize the entire website using blocks, including headers, footers, sidebars, and other template parts. It unifies the editing experience, making it possible to design and modify the site layout without delving into code.
- Site Editor: The main interface for editing templates and template parts.
- Template Parts: Reusable sections like headers and footers.
- Global Styles: Settings that define the overall appearance, such as colors and typography.
- Block Patterns: Predefined block arrangements for common layouts.
- Unified Interface: Streamlines the editing process by consolidating all site parts into one editor.
- Enhanced Flexibility: Allows for intricate and precise design customizations.
- User Empowerment: Enables non-developers to make significant design changes without coding.
- Consistency: Ensures design consistency through global styles and reusable blocks.
FSE with Block Themes
Block Themes are built to leverage FSE by using HTML-based templates and template parts composed of blocks. This synergy allows users to manipulate every part of their site within the Block Editor environment.
- Drag-and-Drop Interface: Easily rearrange blocks to modify layouts.
- Live Previews: See changes in real-time as we edit.
- Global Styles Panel: Adjust global design settings that affect all blocks.
- Responsive Controls: Customize how blocks appear on different devices.
Template and Template Parts
Templates and Template Parts are foundational elements in Block Themes, defining the structure and reusable sections of a website.
Templates
Templates define the layout and blocks used for specific types of pages or posts. They determine how content is displayed based on the context.
Common Template Files
index.html
: Default fallback template.single.html
: Template for single posts.page.html
: Template for static pages.archive.html
: Template for archive pages (categories, tags, dates).search.html
: Template for search results.404.html
: Template for 404 error pages.
single.html
<!-- wp:template-part {"slug":"header"} /-->
<!-- wp:post-title /-->
<!-- wp:post-meta /-->
<!-- wp:post-content /-->
<!-- wp:template-part {"slug":"footer"} /-->
Template Hierarchy
WordPress uses a template hierarchy to determine which template file to use based on the type of content being displayed. In Block Themes, the hierarchy remains similar but is managed through block-based templates.
Template Parts
Template Parts are reusable sections that can be included in multiple templates. Common template parts include headers, footers, sidebars, and navigation menus.
Creating Template Parts
- File Naming: Use descriptive names like
header.html
,footer.html
,sidebar.html
. - Location: Place template parts in the theme’s root directory or within a
parts
subdirectory for organization.
header.html
<!-- wp:group {"tagName":"header","className":"site-header"} -->
<header class="wp-block-group site-header">
<!-- wp:site-logo /-->
<!-- wp:site-title /-->
<!-- wp:navigation /-->
</header>
<!-- /wp:group -->
Inserting Template Parts into Templates
Use the wp:template-part
block to include template parts within templates.
<!-- wp:template-part {"slug":"header"} /-->
<!-- Main Content Blocks -->
<!-- wp:template-part {"slug":"footer"} /-->
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