Template files for custom types in Wordpress

Introduction

Template files help WordPress show your custom content in a nice way. They control how your custom types look on your site.

You made a new content type like 'Books' and want a special page to show each book.

You want a list page that shows all items of your custom type with a unique style.

You want to change how the single item page looks for your custom content.

You want to add custom layouts or features only for your custom type pages.

Syntax

Wordpress

single-{post_type}.php
archive-{post_type}.php

Replace {post_type} with your custom type name, like book.

single-{post_type}.php shows one item, archive-{post_type}.php shows the list of items.

Examples

This template shows one 'book' item with custom layout.

Wordpress

single-book.php

This template shows a list of all 'book' items.

Wordpress

archive-book.php

Shows a single 'movie' custom type item.

Wordpress

single-movie.php

Sample Program

This template shows a single 'book' post with its title, content, and a custom field called 'author'.

Wordpress

<?php
// single-book.php
get_header();
if (have_posts()) :
  while (have_posts()) : the_post(); ?>
    <article>
      <h1><?php the_title(); ?></h1>
      <div><?php the_content(); ?></div>
      <p><strong>Author:</strong> <?php echo get_post_meta(get_the_ID(), 'author', true); ?></p>
    </article>
<?php
  endwhile;
endif;
get_footer();

Important Notes

Always name your template files exactly with your custom type name.

If WordPress does not find your custom template, it uses default templates like single.php or archive.php.

Use get_post_meta() to show extra info saved with your custom type.

Summary

Template files control how your custom types look on your site.

Name templates like single-{post_type}.php and archive-{post_type}.php.

They help show single items and lists with your own style.