By Devport Team | Last updated: 2025-07-12 | 11 min read

How to Find and Use Block Patterns to Build Pages in Minutes

Imagine building a professional WordPress page in under 5 minutes. With block patterns, this isn't just possible—it's the new standard for efficient WordPress development. Block patterns are pre-designed layouts that combine multiple blocks into ready-to-use sections, eliminating the need to build everything from scratch.

Whether you're creating a landing page, blog layout, or portfolio, block patterns provide the foundation you need to work faster while maintaining professional design standards. In this guide, we'll show you exactly how to leverage this powerful feature to transform your WordPress workflow.

Table of Contents

  1. What Are Block Patterns?
  2. Pattern Directory Navigation
  3. Creating Custom Patterns
  4. Pattern Categories Explained
  5. Real-World Use Cases
  6. Pattern Library Resources

What Are Block Patterns?

Understanding the Concept

Block patterns are curated collections of blocks that form complete design sections. Think of them as templates within templates—reusable layouts that maintain consistency while allowing full customization.

Key Characteristics: - Pre-styled: Professional designs ready to use - Customizable: Every aspect can be modified - Reusable: Use the same pattern multiple times - Synced: Some patterns update globally - Responsive: Built with mobile-first principles

Patterns vs. Reusable Blocks vs. Templates

Feature Block Patterns Reusable Blocks Templates
Scope Section layouts Single elements Full pages
Sync Not synced Globally synced Page-specific
Customization Each instance unique Changes affect all Per page
Best For Design consistency Global elements Page structure
Storage Theme/Plugin Database Theme files

The Power of Patterns

Consider this scenario: You need to create 10 landing pages with similar hero sections. Without patterns, you'd rebuild each hero manually. With patterns, you:

  1. Insert the hero pattern
  2. Customize content
  3. Move to the next section
  4. Complete a page in minutes, not hours

Pattern Directory Navigation

Accessing Block Patterns

Method 1: Block Inserter

  1. Click the "+" button to open the block inserter
  2. Switch to the "Patterns" tab
  3. Browse available patterns
  4. Click to insert

Method 2: Slash Command

Method 3: Pattern Explorer

WordPress Pattern Directory

The official WordPress Pattern Directory offers thousands of community-contributed patterns:

Directory Features: - Search: Find patterns by keyword - Categories: Browse by type - Favorites: Save patterns for later - Copy: One-click pattern copying - Preview: See patterns before using

How to Use Directory Patterns: 1. Visit wordpress.org/patterns 2. Find a pattern you like 3. Click "Copy pattern" 4. Paste into your WordPress editor 5. Customize as needed

Built-in Pattern Categories

WordPress includes several default pattern categories:

Featured

Highlighted patterns for common use cases: - Hero sections - Call-to-action blocks - Feature grids - Testimonial sections

Headers

Page and section headers: - Site headers with navigation - Page hero sections - Section dividers - Announcement bars

Footers

Complete footer layouts: - Multi-column footers - Simple copyright sections - Newsletter signups - Social media links

Query

Dynamic content patterns: - Post grids - Post lists - Author boxes - Category displays

Finding the Right Pattern

Search Strategies: 1. By Purpose: "testimonial", "pricing", "team" 2. By Layout: "three column", "grid", "centered" 3. By Industry: "restaurant", "portfolio", "agency" 4. By Feature: "newsletter", "contact", "gallery"

Pattern Selection Tips: - Preview on desktop and mobile - Check color flexibility - Assess content requirements - Consider load impact

Creating Custom Patterns

Method 1: PHP Registration

Register patterns in your theme's functions.php or a custom plugin:

function register_my_patterns() {
    register_block_pattern(
        'mytheme/hero-section',
        array(
            'title'       => __( 'Hero Section', 'mytheme' ),
            'description' => _x( 'A hero section with heading, text, and buttons', 'Block pattern description', 'mytheme' ),
            'content'     => '<!-- wp:cover {"url":"' . get_template_directory_uri() . '/assets/images/hero-bg.jpg","dimRatio":50,"align":"full"} -->
<div class="wp-block-cover alignfull">
    <span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim"></span>
    <img class="wp-block-cover__image-background" alt="" src="' . get_template_directory_uri() . '/assets/images/hero-bg.jpg"/>
    <div class="wp-block-cover__inner-container">
        <!-- wp:heading {"textAlign":"center","level":1} -->
        <h1 class="has-text-align-center">Welcome to Our Site</h1>
        <!-- /wp:heading -->

        <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} -->
        <p class="has-text-align-center">Discover amazing products and services that transform your business.</p>
        <!-- /wp:paragraph -->

        <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} -->
        <div class="wp-block-buttons">
            <!-- wp:button -->
            <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link">Get Started</a></div>
            <!-- /wp:button -->

            <!-- wp:button {"className":"is-style-outline"} -->
            <div class="wp-block-button is-style-outline"><a class="wp-block-button__link">Learn More</a></div>
            <!-- /wp:button -->
        </div>
        <!-- /wp:buttons -->
    </div>
</div>
<!-- /wp:cover -->',
            'categories'  => array( 'featured', 'header' ),
            'keywords'    => array( 'hero', 'banner', 'intro' ),
            'viewportWidth' => 1400,
            'blockTypes'  => array( 'core/post-content' ),
        )
    );
}
add_action( 'init', 'register_my_patterns' );

Method 2: Pattern Files in Themes

Create pattern files in your theme's patterns/ directory:

File: patterns/testimonial-grid.php

<?php
/**
 * Title: Testimonial Grid
 * Slug: mytheme/testimonial-grid
 * Categories: testimonials
 * Keywords: testimonial, reviews, feedback
 * Viewport Width: 1200
 * Block Types: core/post-content
 * Inserter: true
 */
?>
<!-- wp:group {"align":"wide","style":{"spacing":{"padding":{"top":"4rem","bottom":"4rem"}}}} -->
<div class="wp-block-group alignwide" style="padding-top:4rem;padding-bottom:4rem">
    <!-- wp:heading {"textAlign":"center"} -->
    <h2 class="has-text-align-center">What Our Clients Say</h2>
    <!-- /wp:heading -->

    <!-- wp:columns {"align":"wide"} -->
    <div class="wp-block-columns alignwide">
        <!-- wp:column -->
        <div class="wp-block-column">
            <!-- wp:group {"style":{"border":{"radius":"8px"},"spacing":{"padding":{"top":"2rem","right":"2rem","bottom":"2rem","left":"2rem"}}},"backgroundColor":"light-gray"} -->
            <div class="wp-block-group has-light-gray-background-color has-background" style="border-radius:8px;padding:2rem">
                <!-- wp:paragraph -->
                <p>"Outstanding service and incredible results. Highly recommend!"</p>
                <!-- /wp:paragraph -->

                <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"600"}}} -->
                <p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:600">- Jane Smith, CEO</p>
                <!-- /wp:paragraph -->
            </div>
            <!-- /wp:group -->
        </div>
        <!-- /wp:column -->

        <!-- Similar columns repeated... -->
    </div>
    <!-- /wp:columns -->
</div>
<!-- /wp:group -->

Method 3: Using the Create Block Theme Plugin

  1. Install the Create Block Theme plugin
  2. Design your pattern in the editor
  3. Select all blocks
  4. Go to Options → Create pattern
  5. Fill in pattern details
  6. Save

Pattern Creation Best Practices

1. Use Relative URLs

get_template_directory_uri() . '/assets/images/image.jpg'
// Not: https://example.com/wp-content/themes/mytheme/assets/images/image.jpg

2. Make Patterns Flexible

3. Organize Patterns Logically

patterns/
├── headers/
│   ├── hero-centered.php
│   ├── hero-split.php
│   └── hero-minimal.php
├── features/
│   ├── features-grid.php
│   └── features-list.php
└── cta/
    ├── cta-centered.php
    └── cta-banner.php

Pattern Categories Explained

Core Categories

Buttons

Various button layouts and styles: - Single buttons - Button groups - CTA buttons with icons - Download buttons

Columns

Multi-column layouts: - Equal columns - Asymmetric layouts - Feature comparisons - Service grids

Gallery

Image display patterns: - Grid galleries - Masonry layouts - Carousel alternatives - Portfolio displays

Headers

Page and section headers: - Hero sections - Title areas - Navigation headers - Breadcrumb sections

Text

Content-focused patterns: - Article layouts - Quote sections - FAQ layouts - Documentation styles

Custom Categories

Register your own categories:

register_block_pattern_category(
    'mytheme-sections',
    array(
        'label' => __( 'My Theme Sections', 'mytheme' ),
        'description' => __( 'Custom section patterns for My Theme', 'mytheme' ),
    )
);

Category Strategy

Organization Tips: 1. By Page Type: Homepage, About, Services, Contact 2. By Industry: Restaurant, Agency, E-commerce 3. By Component: Heroes, Features, Testimonials 4. By Layout: Full-width, Contained, Sidebar

Real-World Use Cases

Case Study 1: Marketing Agency Landing Page

Challenge: Create 20 campaign landing pages quickly Solution: Custom pattern library

Patterns Created: 1. Hero Variants: 5 different styles 2. Feature Sections: Icon grids, alternating layouts 3. Testimonials: Carousel, grid, single 4. CTA Sections: Various urgency levels 5. Footer: Consistent across all pages

Results: - Page creation time: 1 hour → 10 minutes - Consistency: 100% brand compliance - Flexibility: Each page unique - Maintenance: Update patterns, not pages

Case Study 2: Restaurant Website

Patterns Implemented:

1. Menu Section Pattern
   - Categorized items
   - Pricing layout
   - Dietary icons

2. Reservation CTA
   - OpenTable integration
   - Contact info
   - Hours display

3. Location Pattern
   - Map embed
   - Directions
   - Parking info

4. Special Events
   - Calendar layout
   - RSVP buttons
   - Event details

Case Study 3: Online Course Platform

Pattern Architecture: - Course Hero: Title, instructor, enrollment - Curriculum: Module breakdown - Instructor Bio: Photo, credentials, bio - Student Reviews: Rating system integration - Pricing Table: Tier comparison - FAQ Section: Expandable questions

Implementation Workflow

  1. Identify Repeated Sections
  2. List all page types
  3. Note common elements

  4. Design variations

  5. Create Base Patterns

  6. Start with most-used
  7. Build flexible options

  8. Test responsiveness

  9. Document Usage

  10. Pattern purpose
  11. Customization notes

  12. Best practices

  13. Train Team

  14. Pattern library tour
  15. Customization guidelines
  16. Naming conventions

Pattern Library Resources

Official Resources

  1. WordPress Pattern Directory
  2. 3,000+ free patterns
  3. Community contributed
  4. Quality reviewed

  5. One-click copy

  6. Block Pattern Explorer

  7. Browse patterns visually
  8. Test in your theme
  9. Export/import patterns

Premium Pattern Libraries

  1. Extendify
  2. 2,000+ patterns
  3. Industry-specific designs

  4. Gutenberg optimized

  5. Kadence Blocks

  6. Advanced patterns
  7. Custom block integration

  8. Design library access

  9. Stackable

  10. Premium patterns
  11. Advanced customization
  12. Regular updates

Pattern Development Tools

Code Generators

VS Code Extensions

Testing Tools

Community Resources

GitHub Repositories: - Awesome Gutenberg Patterns - Block Pattern Examples

Learning Resources: - Learn.WordPress.org Pattern Course - Pattern creation tutorials - Video workshops

Advanced Pattern Techniques

Dynamic Patterns

Create patterns that adapt to context:

register_block_pattern(
    'mytheme/dynamic-posts',
    array(
        'title'       => __( 'Latest Posts', 'mytheme' ),
        'content'     => '<!-- wp:query {"queryId":0,"query":{"perPage":3,"pages":0,"offset":0,"postType":"post","order":"desc","orderBy":"date","author":"","search":"","exclude":[],"sticky":"","inherit":false}} -->
        <!-- Query block content -->
        <!-- /wp:query -->',
        'categories'  => array( 'posts' ),
    )
);

Conditional Patterns

Show patterns based on conditions:

if ( is_plugin_active( 'woocommerce/woocommerce.php' ) ) {
    register_block_pattern(
        'mytheme/product-grid',
        array(
            'title' => __( 'Product Grid', 'mytheme' ),
            // WooCommerce-specific pattern
        )
    );
}

Pattern Variations

Create multiple versions of similar patterns:

$hero_variations = array(
    'centered' => 'Hero with centered content',
    'left-aligned' => 'Hero with left-aligned content',
    'right-aligned' => 'Hero with right-aligned content',
    'split' => 'Hero with split layout',
);

foreach ( $hero_variations as $slug => $title ) {
    register_block_pattern(
        'mytheme/hero-' . $slug,
        array(
            'title' => $title,
            // Variation-specific content
        )
    );
}

Conclusion

Block patterns are transforming WordPress development from a time-intensive process to a rapid, efficient workflow. By mastering patterns, you're not just saving time—you're ensuring consistency, maintaining quality, and empowering your team to build better websites faster.

Your Pattern Journey: 1. Start with the Pattern Directory 2. Identify your common layouts 3. Create your first custom pattern 4. Build a pattern library 5. Share with the community

Remember, every pattern you create is an investment in future efficiency. Start building your pattern library today, and watch your WordPress development accelerate.

Ready to master more WordPress development techniques? Explore our Ultimate Guide to Gutenberg and Full-Site Editing for comprehensive insights into modern WordPress development.

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