Block Templates

Block templates define a default initial state for an editor session. They specify which blocks should appear by default and with what configuration.

What are Block Templates?

Templates allow you to:

Set default blocks: Pre-populate the editor with blocks
Configure initial state: Set default attributes and content
Lock structures: Prevent users from modifying the layout
Guide content creation: Provide structure for specific content types

Template Scope

Templates can be applied at two levels:

Post Type Templates: Define default blocks for entire post types
InnerBlocks Templates: Define default nested blocks within a container block

Post Type Templates

Define default blocks that appear when creating a new post of a specific type.

Basic Post Type Template

function my_plugin_register_template() {
	$post_type_object = get_post_type_object( 'post' );
	$post_type_object->template = array(
		array( 'core/image' ),
		array( 'core/heading' ),
		array( 'core/paragraph' ),
	);
}
add_action( 'init', 'my_plugin_register_template' );

When users create a new post, it will contain these three blocks.

Template with Attributes

function my_plugin_register_template() {
	$post_type_object = get_post_type_object( 'post' );
	$post_type_object->template = array(
		array( 'core/image', array(
			'align' => 'left',
		) ),
		array( 'core/heading', array(
			'placeholder' => 'Add Title...',
			'level' => 2,
		) ),
		array( 'core/paragraph', array(
			'placeholder' => 'Add content...',
		) ),
	);
}
add_action( 'init', 'my_plugin_register_template' );

Custom Post Type with Template

function my_plugin_register_book_post_type() {
	register_post_type( 'book', array(
		'public' => true,
		'label'  => 'Books',
		'show_in_rest' => true,
		'template' => array(
			array( 'core/image', array(
				'align' => 'left',
			) ),
			array( 'core/heading', array(
				'placeholder' => 'Book Title...',
				'level' => 1,
			) ),
			array( 'core/heading', array(
				'placeholder' => 'Author Name...',
				'level' => 3,
			) ),
			array( 'core/paragraph', array(
				'placeholder' => 'Book description...',
			) ),
			array( 'core/quote', array(
				'placeholder' => 'Add a quote from the book...',
			) ),
		),
	) );
}
add_action( 'init', 'my_plugin_register_book_post_type' );

Template Locking

Control how users can modify the template structure.

Lock Options

$post_type_object->template_lock = 'all';

Available lock types:

contentOnly - Only allows editing block content. Hides blocks without content from list view.
all - Prevents all operations (insert, move, delete)
insert - Prevents inserting/removing blocks (allows reordering)
false or not set - No locking (default)

Example with Locking

function my_plugin_register_template() {
	$post_type_object = get_post_type_object( 'post' );
	$post_type_object->template = array(
		array( 'core/heading', array(
			'placeholder' => 'Title...',
		) ),
		array( 'core/paragraph', array(
			'placeholder' => 'Content...',
		) ),
	);
	// Users can reorder but not add/remove blocks
	$post_type_object->template_lock = 'insert';
}
add_action( 'init', 'my_plugin_register_template' );

Nested Templates

Templates can include blocks with inner blocks:

$template = array(
	array( 'core/paragraph', array(
		'placeholder' => 'Introduction...',
	) ),
	array( 'core/columns', array(), array(
		array( 'core/column', array(), array(
			array( 'core/image', array() ),
			array( 'core/paragraph', array(
				'placeholder' => 'Left column content...',
			) ),
		) ),
		array( 'core/column', array(), array(
			array( 'core/heading', array(
				'level' => 3,
			) ),
			array( 'core/paragraph', array(
				'placeholder' => 'Right column content...',
			) ),
		) ),
	) ),
);

InnerBlocks Templates

Define default nested blocks for container blocks.

Basic InnerBlocks Template

import { InnerBlocks, useBlockProps } from '@wordpress/block-editor';

const TEMPLATE = [
	[ 'core/heading', { placeholder: 'Book Title' } ],
	[ 'core/paragraph', { placeholder: 'Summary' } ],
	[ 'core/image', {} ],
];

edit: () => {
	const blockProps = useBlockProps();
	return (
		<div { ...blockProps }>
			<InnerBlocks template={ TEMPLATE } />
		</div>
	);
}

InnerBlocks Template with Locking

const TEMPLATE = [
	[ 'core/image', {} ],
	[ 'core/heading', { placeholder: 'Card Title' } ],
	[ 'core/paragraph', { placeholder: 'Card description...' } ],
];

edit: () => {
	const blockProps = useBlockProps();
	return (
		<div { ...blockProps }>
			<InnerBlocks
				template={ TEMPLATE }
				templateLock="all"
			/>
		</div>
	);
}

Individual Block Locking

Lock individual blocks within a template:

JavaScript

const TEMPLATE = [
	[ 'core/image', {
		lock: {
			remove: true,
			move: true,
		},
	} ],
	[ 'core/paragraph', {
		lock: {
			remove: false,
			move: false,
		},
	} ],
];

PHP

$template = array(
	array( 'core/image', array(
		'align' => 'left',
	) ),
	array( 'core/heading', array(
		'placeholder' => 'Title...',
	) ),
	// This paragraph can be moved/removed
	array( 'core/paragraph', array(
		'placeholder' => 'Editable content...',
		'lock' => array(
			'move'   => false,
			'remove' => false,
		),
	) ),
);

Lock properties:

remove - Lock/unlock removal of the block
move - Lock/unlock moving the block

Template API Format

Templates are defined as arrays of block configurations:

array(
	// Block name (required)
	'core/paragraph',
	// Block attributes (optional)
	array(
		'placeholder' => 'Enter text...',
		'fontSize' => 'large',
	),
	// Inner blocks (optional, for containers)
	array(
		array( 'core/image', array() ),
		array( 'core/heading', array() ),
	),
)

Block Attributes in Templates

Find available attributes in block.json files:

Example: Heading Block

{
	"attributes": {
		"content": { "type": "string" },
		"level": { "type": "number", "default": 2 },
		"textAlign": { "type": "string" },
		"placeholder": { "type": "string" }
	},
	"supports": {
		"anchor": true,
		"color": true,
		"fontSize": true
	}
}

You can use attributes and supports in templates:

array( 'core/heading', array(
	'level' => 2,
	'textAlign' => 'center',
	'fontSize' => 'large',
	'anchor' => 'my-heading',
	'placeholder' => 'Add heading...',
) )

Complete Examples

Blog Post Template

function my_plugin_blog_post_template() {
	$post_type_object = get_post_type_object( 'post' );
	$post_type_object->template = array(
		array( 'core/image', array(
			'align' => 'wide',
		) ),
		array( 'core/heading', array(
			'level' => 1,
			'placeholder' => 'Post Title',
		) ),
		array( 'core/paragraph', array(
			'placeholder' => 'Post introduction...',
			'fontSize' => 'medium',
		) ),
		array( 'core/separator' ),
		array( 'core/heading', array(
			'level' => 2,
			'placeholder' => 'Section 1',
		) ),
		array( 'core/paragraph', array(
			'placeholder' => 'Section content...',
		) ),
		array( 'core/heading', array(
			'level' => 2,
			'placeholder' => 'Section 2',
		) ),
		array( 'core/paragraph', array(
			'placeholder' => 'Section content...',
		) ),
	);
	$post_type_object->template_lock = 'insert';
}
add_action( 'init', 'my_plugin_blog_post_template' );

Product Template

function my_plugin_product_template() {
	register_post_type( 'product', array(
		'public' => true,
		'label'  => 'Products',
		'show_in_rest' => true,
		'template' => array(
			array( 'core/columns', array(), array(
				array( 'core/column', array( 'width' => '40%' ), array(
					array( 'core/image', array(
						'lock' => array(
							'remove' => true,
							'move' => true,
						),
					) ),
				) ),
				array( 'core/column', array( 'width' => '60%' ), array(
					array( 'core/heading', array(
						'level' => 1,
						'placeholder' => 'Product Name',
					) ),
					array( 'core/paragraph', array(
						'placeholder' => 'Product price',
						'fontSize' => 'large',
					) ),
					array( 'core/paragraph', array(
						'placeholder' => 'Product description...',
					) ),
					array( 'core/button', array(
						'text' => 'Add to Cart',
					) ),
				) ),
			) ),
			array( 'core/separator' ),
			array( 'core/heading', array(
				'level' => 2,
				'content' => 'Product Details',
			) ),
			array( 'core/list', array() ),
		),
		'template_lock' => 'all',
	) );
}
add_action( 'init', 'my_plugin_product_template' );

FAQ Template

import { registerBlockType } from '@wordpress/blocks';
import { InnerBlocks, useBlockProps } from '@wordpress/block-editor';

const FAQ_TEMPLATE = [
	[ 'core/heading', {
		level: 3,
		placeholder: 'Question',
	} ],
	[ 'core/paragraph', {
		placeholder: 'Answer...',
	} ],
];

registerBlockType( 'my-plugin/faq-item', {
	title: 'FAQ Item',
	category: 'widgets',
	edit: () => {
		const blockProps = useBlockProps();
		return (
			<div { ...blockProps }>
				<InnerBlocks
					template={ FAQ_TEMPLATE }
					templateLock="all"
				/>
			</div>
		);
	},
	save: () => {
		const blockProps = useBlockProps.save();
		return (
			<div { ...blockProps }>
				<InnerBlocks.Content />
			</div>
		);
	},
} );

Template Inheritance

InnerBlocks inherit locking from their parent:

If InnerBlocks templateLock is not set, parent’s lock is used
If block is top-level, post type’s template_lock is used
Explicit templateLock always takes precedence

// Parent has template_lock = 'all'
// This InnerBlocks inherits 'all' lock
<InnerBlocks template={ TEMPLATE } />

// This InnerBlocks overrides with 'insert' lock
<InnerBlocks template={ TEMPLATE } templateLock="insert" />

Finding Block Attributes

To find available attributes for templates:

In Gutenberg Plugin

Check packages/block-library/src/[block-name]/block.json

// packages/block-library/src/heading/block.json
{
	"attributes": {
		"content": { "type": "string", "source": "html", "selector": "h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6" },
		"level": { "type": "number", "default": 2 }
	},
	"supports": {
		"anchor": true
	}
}

In WordPress Core

Check wp-includes/blocks/[block-name]/block.json

Template vs Pattern vs Variation

Feature	Template	Pattern	Variation
Scope	Post type / InnerBlocks	User-insertable	Single block
Locked	Can be locked	Never locked	N/A
Automatic	Appears automatically	User must insert	User must select
Purpose	Structure posts	Reusable layouts	Block configurations

Use templates for structured post types and container blocks. Use patterns for reusable layout combinations. Use variations for different configurations of a single block.

Best Practices

Provide placeholders: Help users understand what content goes where
Use appropriate locking: Balance structure with flexibility
Test the workflow: Ensure the template improves the editing experience
Document required fields: Make it clear what users must fill in
Consider accessibility: Use semantic HTML and proper heading hierarchy
Keep it simple: Don’t over-structure the content
Allow some flexibility: Total locking can be frustrating

Common Use Cases

Landing Page Template

array(
	array( 'core/cover', array(
		'minHeight' => 500,
	), array(
		array( 'core/heading', array(
			'level' => 1,
			'placeholder' => 'Hero Title',
		) ),
		array( 'core/buttons', array(), array(
			array( 'core/button', array(
				'text' => 'Get Started',
			) ),
		) ),
	) ),
	array( 'core/columns', array(), array(
		array( 'core/column', array(), array(
			array( 'core/heading', array( 'level' => 3 ) ),
			array( 'core/paragraph' ),
		) ),
		array( 'core/column', array(), array(
			array( 'core/heading', array( 'level' => 3 ) ),
			array( 'core/paragraph' ),
		) ),
		array( 'core/column', array(), array(
			array( 'core/heading', array( 'level' => 3 ) ),
			array( 'core/paragraph' ),
		) ),
	) ),
)

Recipe Template

array(
	array( 'core/image', array( 'align' => 'wide' ) ),
	array( 'core/heading', array(
		'level' => 1,
		'placeholder' => 'Recipe Name',
	) ),
	array( 'core/heading', array(
		'level' => 2,
		'content' => 'Ingredients',
	) ),
	array( 'core/list' ),
	array( 'core/heading', array(
		'level' => 2,
		'content' => 'Instructions',
	) ),
	array( 'core/list', array( 'ordered' => true ) ),
)

InnerBlocks - Nested block component
Block Patterns - Reusable layouts
Block Variations - Block configurations
Meta Box Tutorial - Using templates with meta boxes

Get Started

Development Environment

Core Concepts

Block Development

Data & State

Guides

What are Block Templates?

Template Scope

Post Type Templates

Basic Post Type Template

Template with Attributes

Custom Post Type with Template

Template Locking

Lock Options

Example with Locking

Nested Templates

InnerBlocks Templates

Basic InnerBlocks Template

InnerBlocks Template with Locking

Individual Block Locking

JavaScript

PHP

Template API Format

Block Attributes in Templates

Example: Heading Block

Complete Examples

Blog Post Template

Product Template

FAQ Template

Template Inheritance

Finding Block Attributes

In Gutenberg Plugin

In WordPress Core

Template vs Pattern vs Variation

Best Practices

Common Use Cases

Landing Page Template

Recipe Template

​What are Block Templates?

​Template Scope

​Post Type Templates

​Basic Post Type Template

​Template with Attributes

​Custom Post Type with Template

​Template Locking

​Lock Options

​Example with Locking

​Nested Templates

​InnerBlocks Templates

​Basic InnerBlocks Template

​InnerBlocks Template with Locking

​Individual Block Locking

​JavaScript

​PHP

​Template API Format

​Block Attributes in Templates

​Example: Heading Block

​Complete Examples

​Blog Post Template

​Product Template

​FAQ Template

​Template Inheritance

​Finding Block Attributes

​In Gutenberg Plugin

​In WordPress Core

​Template vs Pattern vs Variation

​Best Practices

​Common Use Cases

​Landing Page Template

​Recipe Template

​Related Documentation

What are Block Templates?

Template Scope

Post Type Templates

Basic Post Type Template

Template with Attributes

Custom Post Type with Template

Template Locking

Lock Options

Example with Locking

Nested Templates

InnerBlocks Templates

Basic InnerBlocks Template

InnerBlocks Template with Locking

Individual Block Locking

JavaScript

PHP

Template API Format

Block Attributes in Templates

Example: Heading Block

Complete Examples

Blog Post Template

Product Template

FAQ Template

Template Inheritance

Finding Block Attributes

In Gutenberg Plugin

In WordPress Core

Template vs Pattern vs Variation

Best Practices

Common Use Cases

Landing Page Template

Recipe Template

Related Documentation