Custom Post Types

Overview

The Custom Post Types feature in the Phenix Design System provides a user-friendly interface for creating and managing custom content types in WordPress without writing code. This powerful tool allows you to extend WordPress beyond standard posts and pages, enabling you to create specialized content structures for services, products, team members, testimonials, or any other content type your site requires. With comprehensive options for customization and integration with the block editor, custom post types become a seamless part of your WordPress content ecosystem.

Key Features

• No-code creation of custom post types through an intuitive interface
• Comprehensive configuration options for labels, capabilities, and display settings
• Default block pattern support for consistent content structure
• Full integration with WordPress block editor and site editor
• Archive and single template support for custom display layouts
• REST API integration for headless WordPress implementations
• Taxonomy association for content organization

Understanding Custom Post Types

Custom Post Types (CPTs) are specialized content types in WordPress that extend beyond the default posts and pages. They allow you to create content with specific structures and purposes, such as:

• Services
• Products
• Team Members
• Testimonials
• Projects
• Events
• Case Studies
• Properties (real estate)
• Recipes

Each custom post type can have its own set of fields, taxonomies, templates, and management interfaces.

Accessing Custom Post Types

To access the Custom Post Types management interface:

1. In your WordPress admin, navigate to Phenix Design System
2. Select the Data Collection tab
3. Click on the Post Types sub-tab

Creating a New Custom Post Type

To create a new custom post type:

1. Access the Post Types interface as described above
2. Click the Add New Post Type button
3. Fill in the following information in the form:

Basic Settings

Setting	Description
Post Type Name	A unique identifier (lowercase, no spaces)
Singular Label	How a single item is referred to (e.g., "Service")
Plural Label	How multiple items are referred to (e.g., "Services")
Description	Brief explanation of the post type's purpose

Advanced Settings

Setting	Description
Public	Whether the post type is publicly queryable
Show in Menu	Whether to show in admin menu
Menu Position	Order in the admin menu
Menu Icon	Dashicon or custom icon for the menu item
Supports	Features the post type supports (title, editor, thumbnail, etc.)
Has Archive	Whether to generate an archive page
Hierarchical	Whether posts can have parent-child relationships
Exclude from Search	Whether to exclude from search results
Show in REST	Whether to include in the WordPress REST API

Labels

Customize all labels used throughout the WordPress admin:

• Add New
• Edit
• View
• Search
• Not Found
• And more...

Default Content Pattern

Select a block pattern to use as the default starting content when creating a new item of this post type. This is particularly useful for maintaining consistent content structure.

4. Click Save Post Type

Managing Custom Post Types

The Post Types interface displays all your custom post types with the following options:

Option	Description
Edit	Modify the post type settings
Delete	Remove the post type (warning: this will not delete content, but will make it inaccessible)

Using Custom Post Types

Once created, your custom post types will appear in the WordPress admin menu. To work with them:

1. Click on the custom post type name in the admin menu
2. Add, edit, and manage content just like regular posts or pages
3. If you selected a default content pattern, new items will start with that content structure

Creating Templates for Custom Post Types

With the WordPress Site Editor, you can create custom templates for your post types:

Archive Templates

1. Go to Appearance > Editor (Site Editor)
2. Click on the Templates tab
3. Click Add New and select Archive
4. Choose your custom post type from the list
5. Design your archive template using blocks

Single Templates

1. Go to Appearance > Editor (Site Editor)
2. Click on the Templates tab
3. Click Add New and select Single
4. Choose your custom post type from the list
5. Design your single post template using blocks

Using Default Content Patterns

One of the powerful features of Phenix Custom Post Types is the ability to assign a default block pattern to new content:

1. First, create a block pattern as described in Block Patterns & Templates
2. When creating or editing your custom post type, select this pattern in the "Default Content Pattern" dropdown
3. Now, whenever you create a new item of this post type, it will start with this pattern pre-loaded
4. You can then customize the content while maintaining the structure

This feature is particularly useful for:

• Maintaining consistent content structure
• Saving time when creating new content
• Ensuring all required sections are included
• Training content creators on expected content format

Best Practices

1. Use descriptive names that clearly indicate the post type's purpose

2. Choose appropriate icons to make the admin menu intuitive

3. Only enable features you need (supports) to keep the interface clean

4. Create matching taxonomies for content organization (see Custom Taxonomies)

5. Design custom templates for optimal display of your content

6. Use default patterns for consistent content structure

7. Consider URL structure when setting slugs and archive settings

Common Custom Post Type Examples

Services Post Type

• Name: services
• Singular: Service
• Plural: Services
• Supports: Title, Editor, Thumbnail, Excerpt
• Taxonomies: Service Categories, Service Tags
• Default Pattern: Service layout with icon, description, and features list

Team Members Post Type

• Name: team
• Singular: Team Member
• Plural: Team
• Supports: Title, Editor, Thumbnail
• Taxonomies: Departments, Positions
• Default Pattern: Team member card with photo, bio, and social links

Testimonials Post Type

• Name: testimonials
• Singular: Testimonial
• Plural: Testimonials
• Supports: Title, Editor, Thumbnail
• Taxonomies: Sources, Ratings
• Default Pattern: Quote layout with client info and rating

Troubleshooting

Issue	Solution
404 errors on single posts	Flush permalinks by going to Settings > Permalinks and clicking Save
Post type not appearing in menu	Check the "Show in Menu" setting is enabled
Can't find archive template	Ensure "Has Archive" is enabled for the post type
Default pattern not loading	Verify the pattern exists and is correctly selected
Conflicts with existing post types	Choose a different post type name that doesn't conflict

Related Features

• Custom Taxonomies
• Custom Meta Fields
• Block Patterns & Templates