Pattern Manager

Description

Note: Pattern Manager is currently in beta.

When you design beautiful block patterns for your theme, Pattern Manager by WP Engine will automatically push them into PHP files for you, every time you save. With a dedicated studio to design and build block patterns you can 10x your ability to work effectively with theme patterns.

Who should use Pattern Manager by WP Engine

Pattern Manager is designed to be used by theme developers and is not intended to create patterns on production sites. Please review our FAQ below.

Key Features of Pattern Manager by WP Engine

• A dedicated place to build and design Block Patterns.
• Save (and generate) pattern files directly to disk in your theme (no exporting needed).
• Patterns available come from your theme on the disk, allowing for easy collaboration with git.
• Images used in patterns are auto-copied into your theme and referenced in the PHP pattern file.
• No more copying and pasting code to files.
• No more copying and pasting images to your theme.
• Browse all your patterns by their preview thumbnails.
• Create patterns and edit them later.
• Easy discovery and use of hidden WordPress core pattern features.

Things you can do with Pattern Manager:

• Create a pattern with a click.
• Duplicate a pattern.
• Delete a pattern.
• Rename a pattern.
• Utilize hidden WordPress core pattern features.
• Save a pattern to a php file in your theme.

Hidden WP core pattern features you can unlock with Pattern Manager:

• When a user makes a new page or post, auto-show a modal with your patterns, available to be used.
• Make your pattern available in the block inserter, or choose to hide it from the inserter.
• Allow users to transform any block into your pattern.

Upon every “save” of a pattern, Pattern Manager will do the following:

• Create/update the pattern PHP file on your disk, in your theme.
• Find and replace all local image urls with the correct PHP tag.
• Find and copy all image files used into your theme.

Additional Features

The Pattern Block: Put patterns inside patterns.

Once you’ve built a lot of patterns, it makes sense to quickly combine them in various ways to make full-page patterns. An example of this might be a “Home Page” or “Landing Page” pattern that includes a call-to-action area, features area, testimonials, links, and more. Instead of re-creating each of those patterns inside your “Home Page” pattern, you can simply re-use them with the “Pattern Block”.

Here’s an example of how you’d make that “Full Page” pattern:
* Step 1: In Pattern Manager, click “Create New Pattern”.
* Step 2: Add the “Pattern Block” (note: this block is exclusively available in the Pattern Manager editor).
* Step 3: Choose a pattern you’ve already made (like testimonials, features, call-to-actions, etc).
* Step 4. Once inserted, repeat steps 2-3 until you have a “Full Page” pattern you like.

The best part about using the “Pattern Block” is maintaining your patterns. If you ever need to make a change to a pattern, you can update it in one place and it will be updated anywhere you used the Pattern Block, dynamically.

When one of your theme’s users inserts that “Full Page” pattern, because it’s using WordPress core’s pattern block, WordPress will automatically pull the separate patterns together into the Block Editor, ready for them to modify, just like any other pattern.

Docs & Repo

• User and developer docs
• GitHub repo

Screenshots

Installation

This plugin can be installed directly from your site.

1. Log in and navigate to Plugins → Add New.
2. Type “Pattern Manager” into the Search and hit Enter.
3. Locate the Pattern Manager plugin in the list of search results and click Install Now.
4. Once installed, click the Activate link.

It can also be installed manually.

1. Download the Pattern Manager plugin from www.ads-software.com.
2. Unzip the package and move to your plugins directory.
3. Log into WordPress and navigate to the Plugins screen.
4. Locate Pattern Manager in the list and click the *Activate * link.

FAQ

Can I choose where my pattern files get saved?

No. WordPress core naturally imports patterns located in any theme’s “patterns” directory. In keeping with that WordPress standard, Pattern Manager only saves pattern files to that location at this time.

Will I lose my patterns if I update my theme?

Yes. Pattern Manager is designed to be used by theme creators, ideally in a local environment like https://localwp.com. If you are not building a theme, it is recommended that you create a child theme and install it so that updates do not wipe out your pattern files.

Can Pattern Manager be used with any theme?

While Pattern Manager will add patterns to any theme, it is recommended that you own and control the code of that theme. If you do not control the code of your theme, it is recommended that you create a child theme and install it so that updates do not wipe out your pattern files.

Should I use Pattern Manager on a “live” website?

Ideally, no. It is recommended that you develop your patterns on a locally hosted website. You can easily set up a local development WordPress on your computer using https://localwp.com

Do I need the new block editor to use Pattern Manager?

Yes, you will need to have WordPress 6.1 or later installed to take advantage of Pattern Manager.

Reviews

Another great dev tool

Sunny June 2, 2023 1 reply

Another great FSE theme dev tool.

Much needed connection between site builders and site editors

stinkykong April 27, 2023 1 reply

Creating your own, unique block patterns is essential to the path WordPress is on and this plugin lights that path.

It’s a game-changer for WordPress agencies and developers

Alnaggar April 24, 2023 1 reply

Pattern Manager is an excellent tool for managing and creating block patterns for your WordPress website. Its dedicated space for designing patterns and automatic copying of images saves time, and its collaboration features make it easy to work with other developers. With an intuitive interface and hidden WordPress core pattern features, it’s a game-changer for WordPress agencies and developers. Highly recommended!

Managing Patterns With Ease

Erwin April 13, 2023 4 replies

An absolute valuable addition to manage patterns for our clients sites. And this is only version 0.1.6. Can’t wait for the next upgrades… ??

Excellent Plugin for FSE Theme Developers

Tecology March 27, 2023 1 reply

Pattern manager is a must-have plugin for anyone creating custom FSE themes. Easily the best way visually create and save custom patterns to your theme without any long-term dependencies.

Contributors & Developers

Changelog

0.3.1

• Fix a minor security issue.

0.3.0

• Allow adding new categories in Editor UI.

0.2.0

• Add ‘Pattern Block’ to render a pattern in a pattern.

0.1.8

• Fix some issues with block pattern previews.
• Fix a bug with editing pre-existing patterns.

0.1.7

• Add a link to the GitHub repo.

0.1.6

• Readme file changes.

0.1.5

• Initial release.