FSE: Can't add new templates as per template hierarchy

[chandrapatel]

Description

I was trying to add archive page template for custom post type archive-{post_type}.html from Site Editor but there is no option. Add new template option only for Front Page, Page, Author, Category, Date, Tag, Single item: Post and Custom template.

I have tried using Custom template but it only applied to any single post or page.

Another example is that I can add new template for Category which applies to all category terms but I can't add new template for specific term using slug (category-$slug.html) or ID (category-$id.html) as per the template hierarchy.

I can add templates as per hierarchy in block theme and it's working, and I can edit in Site Editor.

I don't know if there is planning to add more new template options as per template hierarchy. I believe more template options will help user to add new templates for specific content type.

Step-by-step reproduction instructions

1. Go to Appearance -> Editor.
2. Click on WordPress Logo to open left sidebar.
3. Click on Templates to see list of templates.
4. Click on Add New button which shows list of template types.

Expected behaviour

User able to add new templates as per template hierarchy.

Actual behaviour

User unable to add new templates as per template hierarchy.

Screenshots or screen recording (optional)

WordPress information

• WordPress version: 6.0.1
• Gutenberg version: 13.7.2
• Are all plugins except Gutenberg deactivated? Yes
• Are you using a default theme (e.g. Twenty Twenty-Two)? Yes

Device information

• Device: Desktop
• Operating system: macOS
• Browser: Microsoft Edge 103 (Chromium)

[carlomanf]

I think this was fixed by #31971, which is not merged as yet. I encourage you to test again with that branch as I'm curious whether it does fix this.

[chandrapatel]

Hi @carlomanf I have cloned your repo, checkout to try/fse-theme-mods branch and ran npm install && npm run build commands. When I try to add new template or template-parts then it shows white screen. I have checked but couldn't find any reason. I have followed same steps for main repo and trunk branch and it's working.

I don't know what the issue could be. Let me know if I'm missing anything. Thanks.

[carlomanf]

Thanks for testing @chandrapatel. After reading again, I think I misunderstood what your issue is about.

There are kind of two different issues here:

1. The slug can't be changed for an already existing template
2. A brand-new template can't be created with a specifically desired slug

Am I correct that you're more concerned about number 2 than number 1?

[chandrapatel]

Hi @carlomanf Yes, that's correct. I'm also concerned about number 1 issue.

[optimizewp]

This issue is still actual, tested with both WP 5.8.2 and 5.9-alpha-52142, and with Gutenberg 11.9.0 while testing for FSE Program Testing Call #11: Site Editing Safari.

No Template slug can be edited, existent or not, in reply to @carlomanf, and neither if associated with the theme in use or not.

The same is true for the "Templates Parts" /wp-admin/edit.php?post_type=wp_template_part.

Curious about this, I also checked the "Navigation Menu" /wp-admin/edit.php?post_type=wp_navigation, all fine with them, after the slug has been flagged for visibility in its own "Screen Option" settings when editing one, it can be succesfully updated.

Please be aware that to be sure the change happened or failed, you need to reload the page of the template you're trying to edit, beacuse after the Update action it seems the new assigned slug stuck.

---

Related tickets that dealt with this slug:

• Remove slug and status columns from templates list in Appearance > Templates #35996
• Refine columns in Appearance > Templates #35995
• Use theme mods for templates and template parts #31971

---

Testing Enviroment
Wordpress: 5.8.2 & 5.9-alpha-52142
Gutenberg: 11.9.0
Windows 10 21H1 (OS Build 19043.1348)
Local Install: Laragon, apache httpd-2.4.51-win64-VS16, php-8.0.12-nts-Win32-vs16-x64, mysql-8.0.27-winx64
Browser: Microsoft Edge - Version 95.0.1020.44 (Official build) (64-bit)

[annezazu]

Related issue just opened :) #37407

[carolinan]

Hi!

The Appearance -> Templates screen does not exist anymore.

The template list in the Site Editor has an option for renaming the template. It does not separate "name" and "slug", it only has one option, and the option is only for user created templates:

@chandrapatel Are you able to update the issue to match the current UI and template editing experience, and clarify the uses cases for needing to update template slugs? Is it still needed or is the existing option enough?

[chandrapatel]

Are you able to update the issue to match the current UI and template editing experience, and clarify the uses cases for needing to update template slugs? Is it still needed or is the existing option enough?

@carolinan I have updated issue title and description. Previously I thought it might be possible if user can update template slug to add new templates as per template hierarchy but now there is no option to add/update template slugs. Only can rename template name.

Original issue was to have options to add new templates as template hierarchy so that user can have different template for different content types like different archive template for custom post types or template for single category term, etc.

[github-actions]

Help us move this issue forward. This issue is being marked stale since it has no activity after 15 days of requesting more information. Please add info requested so we can help move the issue forward. Note: The triage policy is to close stale issues that need more info and no response after 2 weeks.

[ntsekouras]

@chandrapatel do you think we can close this one in favor of #37407? The only template type that is missing right now is the archive-$postType and has a PR already.

[chandrapatel]

@ntsekouras Yes, we can close this issue. I'm closing it. Thanks.