Custom Post Types (CPT)
Overview
Custom Post Types let you create structured content beyond the default WordPress Posts and Pages. In Flowmo, you define your CPT directly in the designer -- specify its name, supported features, taxonomies, and single-page template -- then export a fully registered WordPress post type with ACF fields already wired up.
Use Custom Post Types when you need repeatable content with a consistent layout: portfolios, events, testimonials, team members, products, case studies, and more.
Prerequisites
- A Flowmo project with at least one page (frame) on the canvas.
- The CMS panel open in the right sidebar. Navigate to the Post Types tab.
Step-by-step: Create a Custom Post Type
1. Open the Post Types tab
In the right sidebar, open the CMS panel and click the Post Types tab. If you have no post types yet, you will see an empty state with an Add Post Type button.
2. Add a new post type
Click Add Post Type. An inline form appears with a text field labeled New Post Type. Enter a name -- for example, Portfolio, Event, or Testimonial. The name is automatically sanitized for WordPress compatibility (lowercase, underscores instead of spaces).
Press Enter or click Create to confirm. Click Cancel or press Escape to dismiss.
3. Assign a Single Template
After creation, Flowmo drills into the post type detail view. At the top you will see a Single Template dropdown. This maps one of your canvas pages to the WordPress single-{post_type}.php template.
Select a frame from the dropdown. The helper text below confirms the template file name, for example: Assign a page to be the single-portfolio.php template. Fields below will appear on this page.
4. Configure CPT Settings
Expand the CPT Settings section (click the gear icon) to configure WordPress registration options:
Supports
Toggle which WordPress features your post type supports. Available options:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Title | The post title field |
| Editor | The WordPress block/classic editor |
| Thumbnail | Featured image support |
| Excerpt | Excerpt field |
| Author | Author meta box |
| Custom Fields | ACF / custom field meta boxes |
| Comments | Comments support |
| Revisions | Revision history |
| Page Attributes | Menu order and parent page |
By default, Title, Editor, Thumbnail, and Custom Fields are enabled.
Has Archive
Check the Has Archive checkbox (enabled by default) to register a WordPress archive page for this post type. When enabled, a Create Archive Page button appears if no archive page config exists yet. Clicking it creates an archive page configuration -- you can then configure it in the Page Types tab.
If an archive already exists, you will see the message: Archive page exists -- configure it in Page Types tab.
Taxonomies
Associate taxonomy collections with your post type. Any taxonomy collections you have created appear here as checkboxes. Check a taxonomy to register it against this post type in WordPress.
To create a new taxonomy inline, click New Taxonomy. Fill in:
- Name -- the display name (e.g.,
Genre,Color,Project Type). - Slug -- optional; auto-generated from the name if left blank (e.g.,
genre).
Click Create to add the taxonomy and automatically link it to the current post type.
5. Add Fields
In the Fields section, click Add Field to create ACF fields for this post type. Each field requires:
- Field name -- the machine name (auto-sanitized).
- Field type -- choose from:
text,textarea,image,url,number,date,boolean,wysiwyg.
After adding fields, you can click a field to edit its properties: name, type, required status, placeholder, and default value.
6. Connect Elements
Use the Connected Elements section to bind canvas elements to this post type. Select element(s) on the canvas, then click Attach Selected Elements. Connected elements will receive dynamic content from the post type's fields during export.
7. Add Repeaters
Repeaters are nested collections inside your post type -- use them for things like image galleries, feature lists, or related items. Click Add Repeater, enter a name, and press Enter. Click a repeater to drill into it and add its own fields and connected elements.
Repeaters can be nested further for complex data structures.
Tips
- Naming convention: Use singular nouns for post types (
PortfolionotPortfolios). WordPress pluralizes automatically in the admin. - AI Auto-Connect: On the WordPress tab, click Open AI Mapper to let the AI assistant automatically map pages, fields, repeaters, menus, and header/footer for WordPress export.
- Multiple post types: You can create as many post types as your project needs. Each one appears in the list view with a count of fields (
f) and repeaters (r). - Template badge: Post types with an assigned frame show a green Assigned badge in the list view.
- Drill-down navigation: Use the back arrow at the top of the detail view to navigate up from a repeater to its parent post type, or from a post type back to the list.
Common Issues
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Post type name contains special characters | Flowmo automatically sanitizes the name. Stick to letters, numbers, and spaces. |
| Archive page button missing | Make sure Has Archive is checked in CPT Settings. |
| Taxonomy not appearing | Verify you created the taxonomy as a Taxonomy collection, not a regular collection. |
| Template not generating on export | Ensure a frame is selected in the Single Template dropdown. |
| Fields not showing in WordPress | Confirm Custom Fields is checked in the Supports section. |