WordPress has undergone significant transformations over the past years, and one of the most notable innovations is the introduction of Full Site Editing (FSE). Full Site Editing represents a major shift in how WordPress users and developers interact with the platform’s design and layout. Gone are the days when theme developers had to hard-code custom layouts, and users needed to rely on third-party page builders. FSE gives both developers and website owners the power to fully customize every part of their site without touching a line of code.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the ins and outs of WordPress Full Site Editing (FSE) themes development, from the basics of what it is, to the different types of FSE themes and practical tips for developers looking to get started.
What is WordPress Full Site Editing (FSE)?
WordPress Full Site Editing (FSE) is a revolutionary feature that allows you to edit every aspect of your WordPress website directly from the WordPress editor. It builds upon the Gutenberg block editor but extends its capabilities to allow for editing headers, footers, sidebars, and even custom templates without needing third-party page builders or additional plugins.
Before FSE, users could customize content areas (posts, pages) with blocks, but elements like headers, footers, and site layouts were typically controlled by themes and required switching between different editors or custom code. FSE merges these features, offering a unified experience for customizing your entire site.
Benefits of FSE:
- No Code Required: You don’t need any coding knowledge to create a custom website layout.
- Consistency: Ensures a consistent design across all areas of the site.
- Simplified Workflow: Eliminates the need for switching between the WordPress Customizer and the block editor.
- Improved User Experience: Easier for users to modify the entire layout without external tools.
Types of WordPress Full Site Editing (FSE) Themes
There are several types of themes that support Full Site Editing, and understanding the differences between them is essential for selecting or developing the right one. Let’s explore the most common types:
1. Block-Based Themes
Block-based themes are the core of Full Site Editing. They are designed to work entirely with the WordPress block editor, giving users the ability to customize the entire site using blocks. In these themes, even traditionally hardcoded areas such as the header, footer, and sidebar are now customizable via blocks.
Key Features:
- Header, footer, and other parts are designed using blocks.
- Allows full control over the layout without any coding.
- Compatible with the Site Editor (introduced in WordPress 5.9).
Best For: Those who want full control over their entire site design using blocks and a no-code approach.
2. Classic Themes with FSE Support
These themes are essentially traditional WordPress themes but have been enhanced to support Full Site Editing features. Classic themes typically use PHP for template files like header.php and footer.php, but with FSE support, users can edit these areas using blocks in the Site Editor.
Key Features:
- Still maintains some of the traditional theme features.
- Offers the flexibility of classic themes while utilizing the power of FSE for customization.
- May require some knowledge of PHP for advanced customizations.
Best For: Users or developers who want a hybrid approach between traditional theme design and modern Full Site Editing.
3. Hybrid Themes (Block and Classic)
Hybrid themes allow the best of both worlds, incorporating the flexibility of Full Site Editing while also providing compatibility with traditional WordPress features. These themes give users the option to use blocks for designing new layouts but still allow for the use of traditional widgets, menus, and customizer settings.
Key Features:
- Supports both block-based editing and classic theme customization.
- Perfect for users transitioning to Full Site Editing.
- Ideal for backward compatibility.
Best For: Users who want to dip their toes into Full Site Editing but still rely on some classic theme functionality.
4. FSE Theme Frameworks
FSE theme frameworks are developer-centric themes designed to provide a base structure for creating custom block-based themes. They offer developers predefined tools and templates to build fully customized WordPress sites that leverage Full Site Editing capabilities.
Key Features:
- Customizable and flexible theme frameworks for developers.
- Focused on performance and scalability.
- Perfect for creating advanced or custom FSE-based websites.
Best For: Developers who want to create bespoke WordPress websites with full flexibility and control over the design.
Key Components of Full Site Editing (FSE) Themes
When developing an FSE theme, it’s important to understand the key components that make up the Full Site Editing architecture. Here’s an overview of what you need to consider when building or customizing an FSE theme:
1. Global Styles
Global Styles allow you to define the visual style for your entire website (fonts, colors, spacing, etc.) across all blocks and pages. This feature is especially useful for maintaining a consistent brand identity.
2. Templates and Template Parts
Templates control the layout and design of specific pages, while Template Parts are reusable sections (like the header or footer) that can be customized and inserted into different templates.
3. Block Patterns
Block Patterns are predefined groupings of blocks that can be inserted into pages and posts. These pre-designed patterns can include everything from a simple text block to a full homepage layout.
4. Site Editor
The Site Editor is the heart of Full Site Editing. It’s a unified interface where you can edit all aspects of your site layout, including headers, footers, sidebar, and individual templates.
5. Theme JSON File
The theme.json file is an essential part of FSE theme development. It allows developers to define settings for blocks, styles, and other global configurations in a structured format.
Developing a WordPress Full Site Editing (FSE) Theme
Now that you understand the components and types of FSE themes, here’s a step-by-step guide for developing your own WordPress Full Site Editing theme.
Step 1: Set Up the Development Environment
Ensure you’re using WordPress 5.9 or later since FSE features are not supported in earlier versions. Install the latest version of WordPress locally or on a staging server.
Step 2: Create a Block-Based Theme
Start by creating a block-based theme folder in the WordPress themes directory. Your theme should include the essential files, such as style.css, functions.php, and index.php.
Step 3: Define Global Styles in theme.json
The theme.json file is crucial for customizing global styles and block settings. Define the colors, typography, spacing, and other design elements for your site.
Step 4: Add Template Parts
Define template parts for sections like the header, footer, and sidebar. Use block patterns to create reusable layouts that can be inserted anywhere.
Step 5: Customize the Site Editor
Open the Site Editor, where you can tweak the design of your templates. Use the built-in editor to customize everything from individual post layouts to site-wide global styles.
Step 6: Test and Debug
After creating your theme, test it thoroughly to ensure everything functions correctly. Check for responsiveness, performance, and compatibility with different browsers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the difference between a regular WordPress theme and an FSE theme? A regular WordPress theme is typically limited to customizing content areas like posts and pages, while an FSE theme allows users to edit the entire website, including headers, footers, and sidebars, directly using blocks.
Q2: Do I need coding skills to use Full Site Editing? No, Full Site Editing is designed to be user-friendly, allowing anyone to customize their site layout without needing coding knowledge. However, developers can still add custom code if needed.
Q3: Can I use Full Site Editing with existing themes? Yes, many traditional themes have been updated to support FSE. However, block-based themes are best suited for fully leveraging the capabilities of Full Site Editing.
Q4: How does Full Site Editing impact website performance? Since FSE allows you to manage everything from one editor, it can improve performance by streamlining the workflow. Additionally, as FSE themes are optimized for Gutenberg blocks, they tend to be lightweight and faster.
Q5: Is Full Site Editing available on all hosting plans? Yes, Full Site Editing is a feature of WordPress itself, so it will work on any hosting plan that supports the latest WordPress version (5.9 or later).
Q6: Can I customize the mobile version of my site using FSE? Yes, Full Site Editing allows you to create responsive layouts that automatically adapt to different screen sizes, making mobile customization much easier.
By understanding and implementing WordPress Full Site Editing (FSE) themes, you gain unparalleled flexibility and control over your website’s design. Whether you’re a novice looking to tweak your site or a developer aiming to create sophisticated, custom themes, FSE gives you all the tools you need to succeed.
