CONCEPT

” FullSite-Patterner ” is a block theme that was developed and released in anticipation of a major change in the “role of themes” from conventional themes due to the advent of block themes, as well as making full use of the full site editing function .

The full-featured version is a paid theme, but even the free-to-use “FullSite-Patterner” has features such as changing the clothes of the entire site and creating and saving user-specific block patterns without plug-ins .

A new way of thinking about WordPress themes

Speaking of traditional WordPress themes, there was the advantage of being able to change the design of the site by changing the theme, as typified by the classic theme . However, according to the block theme, since the design can be freely changed in the editor , ” FullSite-Patterner ” was developed based on a different idea from the concept that the theme = template .

In conventional themes , especially in Japan, from the theme’s own customization menu, it is important for WEB design such as “block”, “heading decoration”, “balloon decoration”, “link menu, box, card” decoration etc. However, I think that themes that were particular about functions that could not be said to be the most important, and the usage by users were conspicuous.
However, in this regard as well, block themes have increased the number of design parts that can be used regardless of which theme is used through plug-ins and distribution of patterns on the official website and other places .

With WordPress block themes , there is a demand for an environment where even users who can’t or don’t know how to write code can customize designs with simple operations and concentrate on content creation and writing, thanks to no-code production and full site editing functions. . It can be said that it is more important to be able to do it without being conscious of the quality of the content itself, design adjustment, SEO and other web measures, rather than the decoration of trivial parts .

The block theme is still under development, and it seems that there are places that are difficult to use and functions that are missing. In addition , it seems that there are many points where
unique codes and tags unique to the block theme are inserted without permission, and the style and functions are black box-like .
However, it is clear that WordPress developers are aiming to create an environment where anyone can create no code and edit a full site.

In conventional themes, menus such as original customizers were heavily used, and as the number of functions increased, the menus became more complicated, and there was also the dilemma of having to learn how to use the theme’s unique usage.

” FullSite-Patterner ” has been developed as a universal and versatile theme that can be used from the default screen by minimizing the theme’s own menus and making the most of the WordPress default menus for design and functions .

Main features of FullSite-Patterner

・It is easy to set up, and by importing sample data, a sample site can be completed in no time, and you can customize it to your own site by replacing the content while checking the explanation on the site.

・With the plugin attached to the theme, you can automatically optimize for SEO without being aware of it, and concentrate on web management and writing.

・The template set for the entire page (1 column, 2 columns, full width page, background image included/none, etc.) is preset as a replaceable block pattern.

・In combination with the block pattern of parts, hundreds of web designs can be realized with one theme, and layout and replacement can be freely done with full site editing.

・Including the default template, many template sets for the entire page are prepared in block patterns, so you can return to the initial state at any time.

・Because there is a set of templates prepared with block patterns, the importance of templates and template parts is low, and users can edit and customize templates directly without using child themes.

・Emphasis on the universality of the theme, using the default WordPress styles and menus as much as possible, and adopting a style sheet extracted from bootstrap to realize some functions and designs (navigation, 3-step responsive design).

・A function to save and insert tags, codes, etc. to be inserted in the head of the page as a widget, which is difficult to achieve with the default function of the block theme.

・A function to set and reflect the style customization by the user, which is difficult to achieve with the default function of the block theme, but is difficult with the editor UI and theme.json.

・Original pattern creation feature that allows you to create your own block patterns by entering html code or inserting blocks into widgets, saving them as widgets, and inserting them into pattern files in the pattern folder.

・Various customizations are realized by the UI of the editor, block patterns, php files and plugins that users can freely choose whether to use or not, theme.json, etc., respecting the WordPress default menu, and eliminating theme-specific specifications as much as possible.

・Development policy to make the above-mentioned various functions available in other themes through plug-ins without depending on the theme (planned)

Origin of the name “FullSite-Patterner”

” FullSite-Patterner ” was produced as “Forest Cafe-Block” at the beginning of development.
This is the reason why we used the site name of a fictitious cafe “ForestCafe” as the motif of each sample site.

” FullSite-Patterner ” is read as ” Full Site Patterner “, and FullSite of course means full site editing .

” Patterr ” is a word that has long been used in Japan as Japanese English , and means a job that creates patterns for clothes .
On the other hand, “Patterner” has the meaning of “wood pattern maker” in English , but considering that wooden patterns for clothes mannequins were made from wood in the old days, it can be said that it has the same meaning.
In addition, it is a word that is sometimes used in the sense of a design tool .

A pattern maker is an essential profession for creating and manufacturing clothes that fit the body .
It plays an extremely important role not only in mass-produced ready-made clothes, but also in tailor-made clothes tailored to each individual’s body.

However, few people are aware of the existence of pattern makers when actually wearing clothes .

The same can be said for website content creation, writing, and site management. The concept of the theme is that even users who cannot write code can
customize the design with simple operations , and can focus on content creation and writing , without being aware of the quality of the content itself, design adjustment, SEO, and other web measures . was included in the name.

Of course, ” Pattern” in “Patterner” also means a block pattern, and also means a pattern for the entire page, and ” FullSite-Patterner ” is a WordPress theme that turns the full site into a template set pattern .

WordPress block themes may feel confusing until you get used to them.
As you get used to the operation and understand how to use it, and if there are improvements in version upgrades, I think you will be able to make full use of the convenience of full site editing.

Backups are important for both WordPress and any other CMS.

Here are some points to pay special attention to when using block themes, as well as tools such as backup methods and plug-ins.

Backing up theme templates and template parts

Where block themes really come in handy is when you use the editor, where you can edit as you see it in the visual editor.
The editor can be used from the “Appearance” – “Editor” menu .

In addition to block editing, the editor can also be edited using the code editor from the upper right menu.
In the editor, you can edit and customize the template of the theme you are using and the template parts for your own site.

However, the caveat is that in conclusion, whether you use the visual editor or the code editor , simply updating and saving a template or template part using the editor will not change the actual template or part. The file is not updated .

The reason why the design is updated is that it is saved in the database on the server , just like the content of the article .
Downloading and saving a theme via FTP does not mean that you have backed up the latest version. If you make a mistake here, you may end up in a terrible situation.

There is a method of exporting in zip format to reflect the contents updated in the theme editor to the theme template itself .
You can download it from the “Export” menu on the top right of the editor , or you can use the plugin “Create Block Theme” and download it as a zip file of the theme in the export menu .

However, depending on the server environment, you may not be able to use the export menu, such as a message that the exported zip file is invalid and cannot be opened.

If it’s a theme editor in tools, the file is actually updated and saved

There is a way to open the code editor and copy the code edited with the theme editor , open the template or template part from the “Tools” – “Theme file editor” menu , and paste and update .

In the case of this method, the updated contents can be saved by updating the html files of templates and template parts.

Templates and template parts html files that reflect the latest updates can be effectively used as backups by downloading them via FTP .

The same applies to plug-in files edited with “Tools” – “Plug-in File Editor”.

With these methods, you can edit files such as templates, programs, and css directly, so be careful not to make a mistake.

Create Block Theme” is a plugin that can back up templates and template parts

But there is an easier way.

If you install the “Create Block Theme” plugin , check “Overwrite (theme name)” and press the “Generate” button , the latest theme edits will be reflected in the actual template.

Even with this plugin, exporting may not be successful depending on the server environment, but it is convenient because the latest edits can be saved in no time.

However, there is still a caveat.

If you made a mistake while editing in the editor, backing up the latest update may result in the wrong editing result being updated and saved.

For example, there are points to note when updating template parts as described below.

Precautions for updating template parts

There are also points to be aware of when editing template parts.

The same is true when editing template parts (headers, etc.) using the editor on each page, such as Front-page and Single-page.

After creating a template part, if you want to reuse the template part on other pages and edit its contents according to the page, you must always follow the procedure to “separate the part to be edited from the template part ” .

There is no problem if it is a template part common to each page like the header.
However, you need to be careful when reusing template parts used on other pages when you want to have different content for each page.

If you edit the part without “separating from the template part “, the changes will be reflected in the same template part used on other pages.

Backup of posts, images, etc.

Posts, individual articles, images, categories and other data for the entire site content can be exported using the plugin.

It is a good idea to back up the entire server database for user information, customized theme templates, parts, and information such as designs customized from the UI of the editor.

The official WordPress plugin “WordPress Importer” is useful for backing up content such as posts and images .

With a simple operation, you can immediately back up the content of your site as an xml file.

To export using the plugin “WordPress Importer” , install and activate the plugin.

Execute it from the “Tools” – “Export” screen and save the downloaded xml file .
The exported xml file can be imported from the “Import” menu .

Widget backup

Widgets have been used in WordPress, especially in classic themes, as a tool for easily inserting blocks of content in footers, sidebars, etc.

After becoming a block theme, it can be used from the “Appearance” – “Widgets” menu .

However, block themes may not be used very much because they can be laid out freely in the editor, and because the templates are html files instead of php files, it is difficult to insert content from widgets into html.

” FullSite-Patterner ” focuses on the fact that the content entered and saved in the widget menu can be read in a php file , and is used for the following functions.

・A function to save and insert tags, codes, etc. to be inserted in the head of the page as a widget, which is difficult to achieve with the default function of the block theme.

・A function to set and reflect the style customization by the user, which is difficult to achieve with the default function of the block theme, but is difficult with the editor UI and theme.json.

・Original pattern creation feature that allows you to create your own block patterns by entering html code or inserting blocks into widgets, saving them as widgets, and inserting them into pattern files in the pattern folder.

The data entered in the widget is stored in the server’s database.

The plug-in “Widget Importer & Exporter” is useful for backing up the data of this widget .
To export, click the Export Widget button to download and save as a .wie file .

When importing backed up widget data, click the “Import Widget” button in the plug-in “Widget Importer & Exporter” to upload it.

Depending on the server environment, an error message may appear and upload may not be successful.
However, in this case, you can import by copying the entire contents of the .wie file and entering it from the “Copy and paste the contents of the .wie file” menu.