bdombro

nosurs

Intuitively harmonize meta box positions and screen column layout for all backend users of your WordPress installation.
Credit: This plugin is derived from the abandoned <a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/global-meta-box-order" rel="ugc">Global Meta Box Order plugin</a> with hopes to be more stable and better support new versions of WordPress.
<h4>Quick Overview</h4>
<ul>
<li>Install and activate the plugin</li>
<li>Switch to a post, a page, a custom post type, or the dashboard</li>
<li>Change the order and position of a meta box (or all of them)</li>
<li>Change the column layout</li>
<li>Switch to a different user (maybe with the help of the <a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/user-switching/" rel="ugc">User Switching</a> plugin)</li>
<li>See your changes applied </li>
</ul>
<h4>Installation</h4>
Download and unpack, then move the folder ‘global-meta-box-order’ into your ‘plugins’ folder. Head over to your WordPress installation and activate the plugin in the admin area.
<h4>Rollback</h4>
The plugin doesn’t write anything to the database, it just reads. So it never touches any user settings, but instead filters them on a per request basis. Though all applied changes appear to be permanent from a user’s perspective, they are not. Just deactivate the plugin and see all changes disappear. Activate it again, and they will all be reapplied.
<h4>How It Works</h4>
The plugin operates on a blueprint user whose screen settings for meta boxes (visibility, position and ordering), and column layout are cloned for all other backend users on the fly.
By default, this blueprint user is the first admin user found, so you’ll need to be logged in as that user to globally change screen settings. For how to change the default blueprint user as well as other settings, please refer to the Configuration section below.
<h4>Where It Works</h4>
By default, the plugin kicks in when a user:
<ul>
<li>edits a post</li>
<li>edits a page</li>
<li>edits a custom post type</li>
<li>hits the dashboard</li>
</ul>
<h4>What It Changes</h4>
It will always change
<ul>
<li>the meta boxes visibility, ordering, and column positions</li>
<li>the column layout</li>
</ul>
When told so, it will also
<ul>
<li>remove the screen options box</li>
<li>immobilize all boxes, so they can’t be moved around by your users anymore</li>
</ul>
<h4>Usage</h4>
Log in as your blueprint user. By default, the is the first admin user found in your system.
Select an editing screen (post, page, custom post type) or the dashboard, move the meta boxes around, change their screen settings and the screen’s column layout. Switch to some user to review your settings, switch back to adjust them.
When done, you might want to lock your views down by removing the screen options box and by locking the boxes’ sort order. Your blueprint user, of course, wil not be affected by this.
<h4>Configuration</h4>
The backend integration is kept to a minimum. No navigation entry, no options page, no entry in the database. Instead, the place to go to configure the plugin is your theme’s functions.php.
By the way: You don’t need to configure the plugin. As long as it finds an admin user, it will work just fine.
Preparation
Fire up an editor, load your functions.php, and copy and paste the following code into it. The idea is to have some sort of container to do the configuration in, but do it any way you like.
For brevity, we’ll assume the plugin is loaded and active, so we won’t check for that (see this nice <a href="http://queryloop.com/how-to-detect-if-a-wordpress-plugin-is-active/" rel="nofollow ugc">write-up</a> on QueryLoop on some ways to do it, though).
<pre><code>if (is_admin()) {

 // The path to the configuation is rather long, so let's
 // make us a shorthand.
 class_alias('\GlobalMetaBoxOrder\Config', 'MetaBoxConfig');

 // Add MetaBoxConfig below this line
 ...
}
</code></pre>
Now we are ready to add some of the configuration settings below to adjust the plugin’s default behaviour. You might also want to have a look at the example configuration near the end of this document.
Please keep in mind that you need to be logged in as any user but your blueprint user to see a setting applied. Again, the <a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/user-switching/" rel="ugc">User Switching</a> plugin might come in handy.
Screens To Operate On
By default, the plugin operates on the post, page, and custom post type editing screens, and the dashboard.
You can change this as follows:
<pre><code>// Operate on post and page screens only, leave the dashboard alone.
// This will still include custom post types.
MetaBoxConfig::$filter = array('post', 'page');

// Exclude custom post types
MetaBoxConfig::$include_cpts = false; 

// Allow custom post types...
MetaBoxConfig::$include_cpts = true; 

// ...but not all of them
MetaBoxConfig::$exclude = array('acme_product');
</code></pre>
MetaBoxConfig in the example above is assumed to be an alias to \GlobalMetaBoxOrder\Config as shown in the preparation section above.
Changing the Blueprint User
Register a function that returns a user id, like so:
<pre><code>MetaBoxConfig::$getBlueprintUserId = function () { return 1; };
</code></pre>
Or, more involved:
<pre><code>MetaBoxConfig::$getBlueprintUserId = function () { 

 $user = get_user_by('slug', 'jane');
 return $user ? $user->ID : false; 
};
</code></pre>
MetaBoxConfig in the example above is assumed to be an alias to \GlobalMetaBoxOrder\Config as shown in the preparation section above.
Locking Views
By default, all users will be able to interact with the screen options box, and to move around the meta boxes themselves. There is a rationale behind it, but to cut things short, this is how you might want to change it:
<pre><code>// No screen options 
MetaBoxConfig::$remove_screen_options = true;

// Meta boxes can't be moved anymore 
MetaBoxConfig::$lock_meta_box_order = true; 
</code></pre>
MetaBoxConfig in the example above is assumed to be an alias to \GlobalMetaBoxOrder\Config as shown in the preparation section above.
Example Configuration
<pre><code>if (is_admin()) {

 // Make sure plugin is active
 if (class_exists('\GlobalMetaBoxOrder\Config')) {

 // Make a long name short. 
 class_alias('\GlobalMetaBoxOrder\Config', 'MetaBoxConfig');

 // Settings

 MetaBoxConfig::$filter = array('post', 'page', 'dashboard'); // default
 MetaBoxConfig::$include_cpts = true; // default
 MetaBoxConfig::$getBlueprintUserId = function () { return 1; };
 MetaBoxConfig::$exclude = array('acme_product');
 MetaBoxConfig::$remove_screen_options = true;
 MetaBoxConfig::$lock_meta_box_order = true; 
 }
}
</code></pre>
<h4>On Moving the WYSIWYG Editor</h4>
The position of WordPress’ WYSIWYG editor is fixed, and can’t be changed out of the box (mostly because it lacks a box around it). There are reasons for this, but if you want to have a positionable editor anyway, you might want to have a look at our very own <a href="https://github.com/pontycode/wordpress-movable-editor" rel="nofollow ugc">Movable Editor</a> plugin.
If, on the other hand, if you want to place one specific box above the editor, you might want to check out <a href="http://wordpress.stackexchange.com/a/88103" rel="nofollow ugc">this answer</a> on stackexchange.
<h3>Support</h3>
If you have any issues with this plugin feel free to reach out to the maintainer, bdombro@gmail.com.

Unified Meta Box Order

Harmonize meta box positions for all backend users.

Jewel Theme

Liton Arefin

Pixar Labs

vtsvang

Admin Bar Editor lets you visually customize the WordPress toolbar (admin bar) for both backend and frontend so you can keep what matters and hide what does not.
You can quickly disable the frontend admin bar, turn off specific toolbar items, and reorganize menus with a clean drag-and-drop interface – no code required. This makes the toolbar faster to use for you, your team, and your clients.
<h4>Why customize the WordPress admin bar?</h4>
The default admin bar often gets cluttered with links from themes, plugins, and WordPress core. This can:
<ul>
<li>Distract non-technical users with unnecessary options.</li>
<li>Slow down power users who need quick access to key tools.</li>
<li>Look confusing on membership, LMS, or WooCommerce sites where many users log in.</li>
</ul>
Admin Bar Editor gives you precise control over what appears in the toolbar so each role sees a clean, focused experience.
<a href="https://jeweltheme.com/admin-bar-editor?utm_source=wordpressorg&utm_medium=readme&utm_campaign=admin-bar" rel="nofollow ugc">Admin Bar Editor Pro</a> | <a href="https://demo.pixarlabs.com/?pl-product=admin-bar" rel="nofollow ugc">Try Live Demo</a> | <a href="https://jeweltheme.com/docs/admin-bar-editor/plugin-installation?utm_source=wordpressorg&utm_medium=readme&utm_campaign=admin-bar" rel="nofollow ugc">Documentation</a>
<h4>Who is Admin Bar Editor for?</h4>
<ul>
<li>Site Owners & Bloggers – Hide clutter, keep only the shortcuts you actually use.</li>
<li>Agencies & Freelancers – Deliver white-labeled, role-based toolbars for client sites.</li>
<li>Membership, LMS & Community Sites – Simplify the frontend admin bar for members and instructors.</li>
<li>Product & Support Teams – Create focused dashboards for editors, authors, and support users.</li>
</ul>
<h4>How Admin Bar Editor works</h4>
The plugin adds an AdminBar Editor page in your dashboard with three main sections: Backend, Frontend, and Advanced.
<ul>
<li>In Backend, you control the admin bar that appears inside wp-admin. You can toggle core items like the WordPress logo, site name, comments, updates, and the “New” menu, and adjust submenu visibility.</li>
<li>In Frontend, you manage the toolbar shown on the public side of your site, including a global switch to disable the frontend admin bar.</li>
<li>In Advanced, you can change the admin bar position (top or bottom) and, in Pro, style colors, gradients, and button appearance.</li>
</ul>
All changes are applied instantly when you save settings and can be adjusted at any time.
<h4>Why Admin Bar Editor is different</h4>
<ul>
<li>Focuses specifically on toolbar usability instead of being a general admin theme.</li>
<li>Uses a simple, visual layout with toggles and drag-handles so non-technical users can edit the bar safely.</li>
<li>Built with role-based workflows in mind, so administrators can create different toolbar experiences for different user types (with Pro).</li>
<li>Designed to be lightweight and compatible with modern WordPress sites, including popular themes and plugins.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Free Features</h3>
The free version includes everything you need to clean up and simplify the WordPress admin bar.
Backend toolbar control
<ul>
<li>Enable/disable core admin bar items such as:
<ul>
<li>WordPress logo menu</li>
<li>Site name / visit site</li>
<li>Updates</li>
<li>Comments</li>
<li>“New” content menu and its default sub-items (Post, Media, Page, User)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Toggle each item with an easy on/off switch – no code editing.</li>
<li>Use drag-and-drop handles to reorder items in the backend admin bar.</li>
<li>Expand items to manage visibility of built-in submenu entries like Post, Media, Page, and User.</li>
</ul>
Frontend toolbar control
<ul>
<li>Disable or enable the frontend admin bar globally with a single switch.</li>
<li>Hide or show the toolbar for all logged-in users on the frontend.</li>
<li>Hide or show the toolbar for all guest (non-logged-in) users where applicable.</li>
<li>Manage visibility of core frontend admin bar items with switches and drag-and-drop ordering.</li>
</ul>
Basic admin bar layout
<ul>
<li>Move the admin bar position from the top of the screen to the bottom (global option).</li>
<li>Apply the position change consistently for both backend and frontend views.</li>
</ul>
Safe defaults and compatibility
<ul>
<li>Uses native WordPress toolbar APIs to avoid touching core files.</li>
<li>Works with any theme and most plugins that add their own admin bar items.</li>
<li>Stores settings in the database so your configuration persists through updates and re-activations.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Pro Features</h3>
Upgrade to Pro when you need finer control over who sees the admin bar, plus advanced styling and custom menus.
Custom admin bar menus (Pro)
<ul>
<li>Add new top-level items to the admin bar with custom titles and URLs.</li>
<li>Add custom submenu items under existing or new menu entries.</li>
<li>Build role-aware shortcuts to dashboards, docs, tools, or external services for your team or clients.</li>
</ul>
Role- and user-based toolbar visibility (Pro)
<ul>
<li>Disable the frontend admin bar for specific user roles while keeping it visible for others.</li>
<li>Disable the frontend admin bar for specific usernames when you need per-user control.</li>
<li>Combine global, role, and user rules to design clean toolbars for each audience.</li>
</ul>
Advanced styling: background, text, dropdowns, button (Pro)
The Advanced → Styles tab unlocks visual customization for the toolbar.
<ul>
<li>Set a custom background color for the admin bar.</li>
<li>Use a gradient background to match your brand.</li>
<li>Customize text color across the toolbar.</li>
<li>Style the dropdown appearance for menu groups.</li>
<li>Change the “New” button style and color for better visual hierarchy.</li>
</ul>
These options help agencies and brand-focused sites keep the toolbar consistent with their design system.
<a href="https://jeweltheme.com/admin-bar-editor?utm_source=wordpressorg&utm_medium=readme&utm_campaign=admin-bar" rel="nofollow ugc">Upgrade to Admin Bar Editor Pro →</a> for advanced role control, custom menus, and full toolbar styling.
<h3>🙌 Support</h3>
For any questions, get in touch with us via our <a href="https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/admin-bar/#new-topic-0" rel="ugc">Contact Page</a>
<h3>How It Works</h3>
Admin Bar Editor hooks into WordPress’s built-in toolbar system and lets you manage items through an options panel instead of code.
<ul>
<li>When you toggle or reorder an item, the plugin records that layout in the database and applies it each time the admin bar is rendered.</li>
<li>Free users can control existing toolbar items and the global frontend bar, while Pro users unlock custom menu entries, per-role visibility, and advanced styling.</li>
<li>Deactivating the plugin restores the default WordPress admin bar; reactivating brings back your saved configuration.</li>
</ul>

Admin Bar Editor – Toolbar Customization with User Role based access & Custom menus


Helps remove the clutter of those plugins that add stuff in admin bar. I think that if you have a plugin, there should be an option to not have something up there. After a while there is too much stuff there.


Removes the clutter

Take full control of your WordPress admin bar: hide items, reorder menus, and design a cleaner toolbar for every user.

Unified Meta Box Order vs Admin Bar Editor – Toolbar Customization with User Role based access & Custom menus