The block themes in WordPress They are present from version 5.9 onwards. This is a website format that makes customization and creation easier through the use of content blocks that can be edited and reused. Learn how to create a new block theme in WordPress easily.
Also known as full site editing (FSE), are themes that add modular, block-based functionality. It is similar to the Gutenberg editor that included blocks and block templates for you to use in your web pages and in the content of your posts to speed up the process of creating pages with WordPress.
Creating a block theme in WordPress is quick and easy
The main advantage of this type of themes is that they greatly accelerate the creation of sites with multimedia content. With a block theme in WordPress you can configure and work on each element in a segmented way. The official plugin to create these themes is called Create Block Theme and was developed by those responsible for the platform. The process to install the plugin and start using it consists of a few steps and all of them are very intuitive and fast.
- Open the Plugins section in the left column of WordPress and select Add new plugin.
- Install Create Block Theme and activate from the Appearance menu in the left column.
- Select the Create blank theme option.
From this order, the customization process so that the website has your own style. Of course, with the modular design you will be able to choose the type of content you want to upload faster. You can use photos, videos, text and other elements until each page reflects exactly the content you want, and in the way you want it. There are several editing options available to try even if you don't have programming knowledge.
Choose the name
When creating a block theme in WordPress the most important step is to give it a name. This option is mandatory and will allow your custom design to be saved for use. Then follows the formal editing process, having to click on the Generate button to finish.
Once we generate the template model or block theme, you can activate it for your website from the Appearance section and opening the Themes option. Search for the name of your block theme and you can start editing your website. In principle, the styles are very basic, but the job is to give it a different touch through an intuitive and simple editing process, with various options.
What is a block theme?
To start editing and customize our theme, you have to know the structure of a block theme. There are different types of files that make up and can be added to this type of appearance for WordPress. First of all, you should know that there will be a folder called wp-content and within it, the themes section. Our theme will be housed there, and it is important to know how to get to it to start playing with the most basic aspects of editing until we achieve the style we like.
Parts and accessories
This is the folder where the HTML files with parts of our website. It consists of a file for the header and another for the footer. In addition, alternatives can be incorporated such as sidebars for more dynamic and accessible navigation.
templates
This folder houses the different “page types” that you can configure on the same website. Sorting this section correctly will allow you to differentiate between post and page styles for your WordPress website. You can save a template for entries, another for the home page and so on until you generate your website completely adapted to your tastes and interests.
Readme
This is one of the least important files that are created along with your new WordPress theme. It can be opened with a simple text editor and view its contents.
Screenshot
This is the image that appears in WordPress as thumbnail of the theme we created. If you haven't made any changes yet, it's not that important. Once you have defined and chosen the blocks that make up your theme, you can start changing it. You must always respect the dimensions and format of the image for correct viewing.
Style
This is a fundamental file to create your block theme in WordPress. Here are the main aspects of the topic. It is important to know the HTML format to modify the sections using code, in case you want to work in an alternative way to traditional blocks.
Theme
The last file can also be opened with a text editor, but you have to be careful and not alter its JSON structure since it has information relevant to the operation of the theme.
Block Patterns and Templates
When creating a new block theme in WordPress We must differentiate between two types of elements. On the one hand, the block patterns that are manually added to the pages, and on the other hand, the templates. The latter are the ones that automatically provide an initial layout and default values when you create a new entry.
It is possible to link specific block template according to input types, and thus further personalize the creative experience. When you create a theme and link templates, you force users to not modify the essential aspect of your creation. Some themes are more versatile in offering changes, while others are very rigid. If you have knowledge of PHP you can also create block templates.
In general terms, the block theme experience for WordPress themes has been very well received. The public mostly understands that the tool facilitates the speed and variety of actions available. If you are starting to design web pages or want to learn about WordPress design in a simple way, starting with block themes is an excellent option due to its simplicity and speed. They are fast, dynamic designs with great breadth to achieve customization and style.