WordPress.org

Jason Crist

Ben Dwyer

jeffikus

Cullen Whitmore

Echo

Madhu Dollu

Maggie Cabrera

Matias Benedetto

Sarah Norris

Vicente Canales

Jeff Ong

This plugin allows you to:
<ul>
<li>Create a blank theme</li>
<li>Create a new theme based on the currently active theme</li>
<li>Create a child theme of the active parent theme</li>
<li>Create a new style variation</li>
<li>Export a theme</li>
<li>Save user changed templates and styles to the active theme</li>
</ul>
All newly created themes or style variations will include changes made within the WordPress Editor.
This plugin also makes several changes to the contents of a theme, including:
<ul>
<li>Adds all images used in templates to the theme’s <code>assets</code> folder.</li>
<li>Ensures the block markup used in templates and patterns is export-ready.</li>
<li>Ensures most strings used in templates and patterns are translate-ready.</li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: The Create Block Theme plugin offers critical developer-friendly features; you can think of it as a Development Mode for WordPress, and you should keep in mind that changes made through this plugin could change your site and/or theme permanently.
(Make sure you know what you’re doing before hitting that ‘Save’ button 😉)
<h4>Step 1 – Setup</h4>
Install and activate the <a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/create-block-theme" rel="ugc">Create Block Theme</a> plugin.
There will be a new panel accessible from the WordPress Editor, which you can open by clicking on a new icon to the right of the “Save” button, at the top of the Editor.
<h4>Step 2 – Style Customizations</h4>
Make changes to your site styles, fonts and templates using the Editor.
<h4>Step 3 – Export</h4>
Still in the WordPress Editor, navigate to the Create Block Theme menu at the top of the Editor.
To save recent changes made in the Editor to the currently active theme:
<ul>
<li>Select “Save Changes” to save any recent changes to the currently active theme.</li>
</ul>
To install and uninstall fonts:
<ul>
<li>Install and activate a font from any source using the WordPress Font Library.</li>
<li>Select “Save Changes To Theme” and select “Save Fonts” to save all of the active fonts to the currently active theme. These fonts will then be activated in the theme and deactivated in the system (and may be safely deleted from the system).</li>
<li>Any fonts that are installed in the theme that have been deactivated with the WordPress Font Library will be removed from the theme.</li>
</ul>
or export the theme:
<ul>
<li>Select “Export Zip” to export the theme as a zip file.</li>
</ul>
To edit the theme metadata:
<ul>
<li>Select “Edit Theme Metadata” to edit the metadata for the theme. These details will be used in the style.css file.</li>
</ul>
To inspect the active theme’s theme.json contents:
<ul>
<li>Select “Inspect Theme JSON”</li>
</ul>
To create a new blank theme:
<ul>
<li>Select “Create Blank Theme”</li>
<li>Supply a name for the new theme (and optional additional Metadata)</li>
<li>Click “Create Blank Theme”</li>
</ul>
To create a variation:
<ul>
<li>Select “Create Theme Variation”</li>
<li>Provide a name for the new Variation</li>
<li>Click “Create Theme Variation”</li>
</ul>
To create a new Clone of the current theme or to create a Child of the current theme:
<ul>
<li>Click “Create Theme”</li>
<li>Click “Clone Theme” to create a new Theme based on the active theme with your changes</li>
<li>Click “Create Child Theme” to create a new Child Theme with the active theme as a parent with your changes</li>
</ul>
Many of these options are also available under the older, deprecated Create Block Theme page under Appearance > Create Block Theme.
<h3>General Troubleshooting</h3>
If you are having problems, please try the following:
<ul>
<li>Make sure you have the latest version of WordPress installed.</li>
<li>Make sure you have the latest version of the plugin installed.</li>
<li>Deactivate all plugins and see if this resolves the problem. If this works, re-activate the plugins one by one until you find the problematic plugin(s).</li>
<li>Switch the theme to the default theme to rule out any theme-related problems.</li>
<li>Check the <a href="https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/create-block-theme/" rel="ugc">Support forum</a> for similar issues.</li>
</ul>
<h3>I’m getting a corrupt zip file when I export my theme</h3>
<ul>
<li>First follow the general troubleshooting steps above.</li>
<li>Please make sure you <code>WP_DEBUG</code> setting in your <code>wp-config.php</code> file is set to <code>false</code> like this: <code>define( 'WP_DEBUG', false );</code>.</li>
<li>If your theme includes PHP files, ensure those files do not use PHP closing tags <code>?></code> at the end of the file. If they do, remove them.</li>
</ul>

Create Block Theme

The direction this plugin is going is fantastic and really empowers no-code/low-code theme designers. Would love to see it integrated in Core at some point, but having this functionality in a separate feature plugin is a great first step.

Fantastic already, but lots of potential

This plugin is the perfect way to get started building block themes. You can edit an existing theme in the editor, and export your changes to a new theme or a  child theme. 

Perfect for the new block theme developer

This plugin will let you create a block theme easily. It generates all the code so you can focus on design. I hope the authors will keep up the good work on this plugin and add even more features in the future.

Works perfectly!


Love it, and it's finally a clean and easy to use solution to send our theme users to, if they want to add a custom font or create a child theme for any purpose really.It's also great to add fonts to our themes, although it would be great, if it would work with variable fonts and WOFF2.


What did you do without this before 😍


I love this. In just about a blink of the eye, I can create my own custom version of an already-built theme. Sweet!


Easy Peasy


Thanks for this. It works well. It's exciting that block theme design is low code. This plugin makes it even more low code.


Kind of a dream


As someone learning how to create block themes, I appreciate that this plugin exists to help fill the gap in knowledge!



I appreciate this plugin


After hours of setting up my blog with blocks I realized: I should really use a child theme. A practice I forgot after years of not dealing with wordpress. When I created the most basic child theme it did not inherit my settings either. This plugin did exactly that. It made a minimal child theme with all my settings intact. My only problem with it, that it instantly turn the child theme to be active and that is a risky behavior, but it did not cause problems.


just great!

A WordPress plugin to create block themes.

Courtney Robertson

Post Formats for Block Themes brings the beloved post format functionality from classic WordPress themes to modern block themes, with intelligent pattern insertion, automatic format detection, and a streamlined editing experience that makes creating formatted content effortless.
<h4>Why Post Formats Matter for Block Themes</h4>
WordPress post formats have been a powerful feature since WordPress 3.1, allowing content creators to style different types of posts distinctively—quotes appear with enhanced typography, galleries showcase images prominently, status updates feel like social media, and chat transcripts display conversations beautifully. However, with the shift to block themes and Full Site Editing, this functionality was left behind.
Post Formats for Block Themes solves this problem. This plugin brings post formats into the block editor era with format-specific block patterns, automatic content detection, and accessibility-first design. Whether you’re building a personal blog, portfolio, news site, or creative magazine, post formats help your content stand out.
<h4>Who This Plugin Is For</h4>
<ul>
<li>Bloggers who want variety in their post presentations without creating custom templates</li>
<li>Content creators who publish different types of content (articles, quotes, galleries, status updates)</li>
<li>News sites migrating from classic themes and want to preserve post format functionality</li>
<li>Designers and developers building block themes who need format support built-in</li>
<li>Accessibility advocates who require WCAG 2.2 AA compliant content tools</li>
<li>Anyone moving from classic themes who misses the post format features they relied on</li>
</ul>
<h4>Key Features</h4>
10 Format-Specific Block Patterns
Each WordPress post format gets a professionally-designed block pattern optimized for its content type. Patterns include locked first blocks to maintain format consistency while giving you complete creative freedom for additional content:
<ul>
<li>Standard – Traditional blog post with full title, featured image, and content blocks</li>
<li>Aside – Short note or update displayed in a styled bubble container without title requirement</li>
<li>Status – Twitter-style status update with 280-character validation and real-time counter</li>
<li>Link – Link sharing with automatic <a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/bookmark-card/" rel="ugc">Bookmark Card</a> integration when available, with graceful fallback to standard linked paragraphs</li>
<li>Gallery – Photo gallery starting with a locked gallery block for image collections</li>
<li>Image – Single image post with prominent image display and caption support</li>
<li>Quote – Quotation or citation with enhanced pullquote styling and attribution</li>
<li>Video – Video content using native video blocks or popular embed services. Integrates with <a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/ableplayer/" rel="ugc">Able Player</a> for enhanced accessible playback when available.</li>
<li>Audio – Audio file or podcast embed with native player styling. Integrates with <a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/podlove-podcasting-plugin-for-wordpress/" rel="ugc">Podlove Podcasting Plugin</a> for podcasts and <a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/ableplayer/" rel="ugc">Able Player</a> for accessible playback when available.</li>
<li>Chat – Conversation transcript using the integrated Chat Log block</li>
</ul>
Integrated Chat Log Block
No separate plugin needed! Post Formats for Block Themes includes a full-featured Chat Log block for displaying conversation transcripts. Perfect for interviews, customer support examples, team discussions, or any dialogue format.
Supported platforms: Slack, Discord, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and generic chat transcripts. Additional text format support: SRT subtitles, VTT captions, and plain text exports from any chat application.
Chat Log features: automatic platform detection, avatar display, timestamp formatting (relative, absolute, time-only), multiple display styles (bubbles, IRC, transcript, timeline), thread collapsing, participant lists, device frames, full accessibility, and RTL support.
Automatic Format Detection
Save time with intelligent format detection. The plugin analyzes your post’s first block and automatically assigns the appropriate format. Gallery block becomes Gallery format, video block becomes Video format, quote block becomes Quote format, and so on. Detection runs on post save and respects manual format selections.
Format Selection Modal
When creating a new post, a visual format selection modal appears with all 10 formats displayed as cards showing icons, names, descriptions, and use cases. Fully keyboard accessible and screen reader friendly.
Format Switcher Sidebar Panel
Change formats mid-edit with the Format Switcher in the post sidebar. View current format, see auto-detection suggestions, choose to replace content or keep existing blocks. Perfect for when you change your mind about post type.
Status Format Validation
The Status format includes Twitter-style character validation with real-time counter, 280-character soft limit, visual feedback, accessibility announcements, and mobile-friendly composition.
Post Format Repair Tool
Scan existing posts and fix format mismatches with the built-in repair tool (Tools → Post Format Repair). Detects content/format mismatches, bulk or individual repairs, preview suggestions, one-click fixes. Perfect for migrating from classic themes.
Theme-Agnostic Styling
Format styles integrate seamlessly with any block theme using CSS custom properties from your theme.json. Respects your theme’s colors, typography, spacing. No styling conflicts. Works with Global Styles.
<h4>How to Use Post Formats in Block Themes</h4>
Creating Your First Formatted Post: 
1. Navigate to Posts → Add New 
2. Format selection modal appears automatically 
3. Click your desired format (e.g., “Quote”) 
4. Pattern is inserted with locked first block 
5. Add content within the pattern 
6. Publish your formatted post
Mid-Edit Format Switching: 
1. Open the right sidebar while editing 
2. Find the “Format Switcher” panel 
3. Choose a new format from dropdown 
4. Decide to replace or keep content 
5. Format updates instantly
Using Auto-Detection: 
1. Start a new post without selecting a format 
2. Add content (e.g., insert a gallery block) 
3. Save as draft or publish 
4. Plugin automatically detects Gallery format 
5. Format is assigned without manual action
<h4>How to Create a Quote Post</h4>
Showcase quotations and citations beautifully:
<ol>
<li>Select Quote format from the modal</li>
<li>The pullquote pattern loads with locked Quote block</li>
<li>Type or paste your quote</li>
<li>Add attribution in citation field</li>
<li>Optional: Add commentary below the quote</li>
<li>Customize styling via Global Styles</li>
<li>Publish your enhanced quote post</li>
</ol>
The locked pullquote maintains format integrity while allowing unlimited additional content blocks.
<h4>How to Display Chat Conversations</h4>
Turn conversation transcripts into readable, attractive content:
<ol>
<li>Select Chat format when creating new post</li>
<li>Chat Log block inserts automatically</li>
<li>Copy conversation text from Slack, Discord, Teams, WhatsApp, etc.</li>
<li>Paste into Chat Log block—platform detection is automatic</li>
<li>Configure display options: style, avatars, timestamps, threads, device frame</li>
<li>Preview the formatted conversation</li>
<li>Publish your beautiful chat transcript</li>
</ol>
Platform-specific features: Slack preserves channels, threads, reactions; Discord maintains server structure and roles; Teams retains meeting context; WhatsApp shows message status and reply chains; Telegram preserves stickers; Signal maintains message indicators.
<h4>How to Automatically Detect Post Formats</h4>
Let the plugin handle format assignment:
<ol>
<li>Create new post without selecting format</li>
<li>Add content normally (gallery, video, quote, etc.)</li>
<li>Save draft or publish—detection runs on save</li>
<li>Check Format Switcher panel for detected format</li>
<li>Accept or manually override</li>
</ol>
Detection rules: first block determines format. Gallery block = Gallery format, Video block = Video format, Quote block = Quote format, and so on. Detection only runs on posts without manual format selection.
<h4>How to Repair Mismatched Formats</h4>
Fix format assignments across your entire site:
<ol>
<li>Navigate to Tools → Post Format Repair</li>
<li>Click “Scan All Posts”—analyzes content vs. formats</li>
<li>Review mismatch report</li>
<li>Preview suggestions for each post</li>
<li>Bulk repair all or fix individually</li>
<li>Verify changes</li>
</ol>
Common scenarios: migrating from classic themes, imported content, incorrect manual assignments, exploring your format distribution. The repair tool is safe—changes only format meta, never modifies post content.
<h4>Migrating from Classic Theme Post Formats</h4>
Preserve post format styling when switching to block themes:
Before Migration: 
1. Install plugin on classic theme site 
2. Leave classic theme active 
3. Test repair tool with scan (don’t apply yet) 
4. Review the report
During Migration: 
1. Switch to block theme 
2. Activate Post Formats for Block Themes 
3. Visit Tools → Post Format Repair 
4. Run full scan 
5. Review suggestions 
6. Apply bulk repair
After Migration: 
1. Check frontend display 
2. Customize styling in theme.json 
3. Create new posts with format patterns 
4. Optional: update old posts to use patterns
What transfers: format assignments, post content, featured images, post meta. What changes: theme template styling becomes pattern styling, classic PHP templates become block templates. Tips: test on staging first, take database backup, check one post per format, customize theme.json colors, use patterns for new content.
<h4>Block Theme Compatibility Guide</h4>
What Makes a “Block Theme”: 
Block themes use block templates (.html files) and theme.json instead of PHP templates. Key characteristics: templates/ folder with .html files, theme.json file, Full Site Editing support, activated via Appearance → Themes. Learn more in the <a href="https://developer.wordpress.org/themes/block-themes/" rel="nofollow ugc">WordPress Block Theme documentation</a>.
Why Classic Themes Aren’t Supported: 
Classic themes use PHP template files which conflict with block-based patterns. This plugin requires block pattern support, block templates, theme.json styling, and block editor integration. If you prefer using a classic theme with post format support, consider using the <a href="https://wordpress.org/themes/twentythirteen/" rel="ugc">Twenty Thirteen theme</a> which includes excellent built-in post format styling.
Recommended Compatible Block Themes: 
Twenty Twenty-Five, Twenty Twenty-Four, Twenty Twenty-Three, Block themes from Automattic (Blank Canvas, Pendant), most modern block themes on WordPress.org.
Theme.json Integration: 
The plugin reads color palette, typography, spacing, and border styles from your theme.json. Format styles automatically adapt. To customize, edit your theme.json color and typography settings.
<h4>Developer Guide: Extending Post Formats</h4>
Add Custom Format: 
 <code>php 
add_filter( 'pfbt_registered_formats', function( $formats ) { 
 $formats['review'] = [ 
 'name' => 'Review', 
 'description' => 'Product review', 
 'icon' => 'star-filled', 
 'pattern_slug' => 'my-theme/review-pattern', 
 ]; 
 return $formats; 
} );</code>
Custom Detection Logic: 
 <code>php 
add_filter( 'pfbt_detected_format', function( $format, $first_block, $all_blocks ) { 
 if ( $first_block['blockName'] === 'my-plugin/custom-block' ) { 
 return 'gallery'; 
 } 
 return $format; 
}, 10, 3 );</code>
Run Code After Detection: 
 <code>php 
add_action( 'pfbt_format_detected', function( $post_id, $format, $post ) { 
 error_log( "Post {$post_id} detected as {$format}" ); 
}, 10, 3 );</code>
Track Format Changes: 
 <code>php 
add_action( 'pfbt_format_changed', function( $post_id, $old_format, $new_format ) { 
 // Analytics tracking 
}, 10, 3 );</code>
More filters and actions available for pattern content modification, post-repair actions, and format definition customization.
<h3>Additional Information</h3>
<h4>Performance</h4>
Post Formats for Block Themes is built for performance: JavaScript loads only in block editor (never on frontend), CSS uses minimal native custom properties, auto-detection runs only on save, no frontend database queries, properly enqueued versioned assets for browser caching, no external dependencies or CDN requests.
<h4>Privacy</h4>
This plugin respects user privacy: does not collect or store user data, does not make external API calls, does not set cookies, does not track users, does not share data with third parties. Format selections and post meta stored only in your WordPress database using standard functions.
<h4>Browser Compatibility</h4>
Tested and fully functional in: Chrome 90+, Firefox 88+, Safari 14+, iOS Safari 14+, Chrome for Android 90+. Uses modern JavaScript (ES6+) with polyfills for wider compatibility.
<h4>Support</h4>
For support: check FAQ section, read format descriptions, visit <a href="https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/post-formats-for-block-themes/" rel="ugc">WordPress.org support forums</a>, search existing threads, create new topic with details (WordPress version, PHP version, theme name, active plugins, issue description, reproduction steps, screenshots).
For bug reports and feature requests: visit <a href="https://github.com/courtneyr-dev/post-formats-for-block-themes" rel="nofollow ugc">GitHub repository</a>.
<h4>Contributing</h4>
Contributions welcome! Report bugs on GitHub, submit pull requests, translate via WordPress.org, write tutorials, answer support questions, share with others. Development: follows WordPress Coding Standards, includes comprehensive test suite (PHPUnit + Playwright), CI/CD pipeline with automated testing, accessibility tested with axe-core.
<h4>Credits</h4>
Inspired by WordPress Twenty Thirteen theme’s post format treatments. Built with WordPress Gutenberg components. Icons by Dashicons. Developed by Courtney Robertson. License: GPL v2 or later.
<h4>External Services</h4>
This plugin does not connect to or rely on any external services. All functionality runs entirely on your WordPress installation using core WordPress APIs. The Chat Log block specifically: does NOT send conversation data to external services, does NOT make API calls, processes all transcript text locally using JavaScript, stores formatted conversations in post content only. Your conversations never leave your server.

Post Formats for Block Themes

Bring post formats to block themes with auto-detection, format-specific patterns, and Chat Log block for displaying conversation transcripts.

Create Block Theme vs Post Formats for Block Themes