0

After creating a custom post type I made a custom template file for the post (single-customposttypename.php). So the URL structure would be: example.com/page/postname, and postname would be the post that renders single-custompostype.php (this works fine).

But what I'm trying to get is example.com/PAGE to loop all the posts generated from that custom post type on one page...which it does, but it's unstyled. I tried creating a custom template called page-customposttypename.php but that didn't seem to work.

Seems like this should be really simple but I can't seem to figure it out. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

2
  • @brasofilo Thanks for the formatting edit. Excuse my noobish stackexchange etiquette, lol.
    – Desmond
    Jan 16, 2013 at 1:44
  • That's what I like about the Stack, new things to learn every day ;) When you see a formatting that you like, click edit, check what's been used, click cancel and presto, apply elsewhere!
    – brasofilo
    Jan 16, 2013 at 1:49

2 Answers 2

1

There are two different ways to implement what you want to do, and both are perfectly valid, depending on your needs:

  1. Post-type archive index page
  2. Custom page template

Post-type archive index page

This implementation uses the WordPress template hierarchy to output the archive index page for your custom post type. For custom post type archive index pages, the template hierarchy is:

  1. archive-{posttype}.php
  2. archive.php
  3. index.php

So, if you want a custom layout/markup for the archive index page for your custom post type, create archive-{posttype}.php.

The advantage with this implementation is that you don't have to make any changes to the default query. You simply output a normal loop, and have all normal $post variables, conditionals, and tags available to you, out-of-the-box.

To view the archive index page for your custom post type, if you have pretty permalinks enabled, use: home_url() . '/{posttype}/, e.g. www.example.com/{posttype}/.

Custom Page Template

This implementation uses WordPress custom page templates to output a custom-query loop of posts for your custom post type.

This implementation will allow you to display your custom post types on a specific page, e.g. www.example.com/pagename, but has several drawbacks:

  1. It is more difficult to implement.

    Where archive-{posttype}.php is used/displayed automatically by WordPress, to use a custom page template, you have to create a static page, then assign your custom page template to the page, then publish the page.

  2. It is more difficult to develop.

    Unlike archive-{posttype}.php, a custom query loop in a custom page template does not use the default query, and does not have all of the normal $post variables, conditionals, and tags available.

    You will have to define a secondary query, via WP_Query()

    You will have to use a custom loop-instantiation markup.

    You will have to use a workaround if you want to use pagination.

That said, here is a quick-and-dirty custom page template:

/**
 * Template name: Custom Post Type Display
 */

get_header();

$cpt_query_args = array(
    'post_type' => 'foobar',
    'posts_per_page' => '10'
)
$cpt_query = new WP_Query( $cpt_query_args );

if ( $cpt_query->have_posts() ) : while ( $cpt_query->have_posts() ) : $cpt_query->the_post();
    // Loop output here
    // You CAN use normal post tags here,
    // such as the_title(), the_content(), etc.
endwhile; endif;

// Reset postdata
wp_reset_postdata();

get_footer();

(For more detailed answers about using custom page templates to display custom loop queries, and especially for custom query loop pagination, just search WPSE for related questions/answers.)

1
  • Both answers helped, however, this one goes a step further in terms of implementation which actually answered some other questions I had been wondering about. Thanks.
    – Desmond
    Jan 16, 2013 at 1:41
2

From the codex: If the custom post type were 'product', WordPress would look for archive-product.php to display the archive of posts.

1
  • Ah, right right! When in doubt, CODEX! Thanks for the link. I will try this and report back.
    – Desmond
    Jan 14, 2013 at 18:00

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.