Templates and Patterns in Client Portal
Templates and patterns are powerful features that help you create and manage portals more efficiently. In this guide, we'll explore how to use both features to streamline your workflow.
Understanding Templates vs. Patterns
Before we dive in, let's clarify the difference between templates and patterns:
- Templates are complete, reusable portal layouts that you can use as a starting point for new projects
- Patterns are reusable sections (like phases) that you can mix and match within your portals
Working with Templates
Templates allow you to create consistent portal experiences for similar types of projects. They're particularly useful when you:
- Offer the same service to multiple clients
- Want to allow clients to self-register for a portal
- Sell access to portals through WooCommerce
[Screenshot: CP Portal Templates menu in WordPress sidebar]
Creating a Template
There are two ways to create a template:
1. From an existing portal:
- Go to All CP Portals
- Hover over the portal you want to use
- Click "Convert to Template"
[Screenshot: Hovering over a portal showing the "Convert to Template" option]
2. From scratch:
- Go to CP Portal Templates in the sidebar
- Click "Add New CP Portal Template"
- Build your template just like you would a regular portal
[Screenshot: CP Portal Templates page with "Add New" button]
Using Templates
To create a new portal from a template:
- Go to All CP Portal Templates
- Hover over your chosen template
- Click "Create New Project"
[Screenshot: Creating a new project from a template]
Working with Patterns
Patterns allow you to save and reuse specific parts of your portals. You can save entire phases as patterns and reuse them across different portals.
Finding Patterns
There are two ways to access patterns:
1. Through the WordPress Editor:
- Go to Editor > Patterns
- Click on the Client Portal folder
[Screenshot: Patterns section in WordPress Editor showing Client Portal folder]
2. Within a portal:
- Click the block inserter icon (plus sign)
- Go to the Patterns tab
- Look for the Client Portal folder
[Screenshot: Block inserter showing Patterns tab and Client Portal folder]
Creating Patterns
To create a new pattern:
1. Select the content you want to save as a pattern:
- Use the List View for precise selection
- Select the phase or section you want to save
[Screenshot: List View showing selected content]
2. Create the pattern:
- Click the menu (three dots)
- Choose "Create pattern"
- Name your pattern
- Make sure to save it in the Client Portal category
[Screenshot: Create pattern dialog]
Synced Patterns
Synced patterns are a powerful way to maintain consistency across multiple portals. When you update a synced pattern, the changes appear everywhere that pattern is used.
To create a synced pattern:
- Follow the steps above for creating a pattern
- Toggle on the "Synced" option before saving
[Screenshot: Create pattern dialog showing Synced toggle]
Detaching Synced Patterns
If you need to customize a synced pattern for a specific portal:
- Right-click on the synced pattern
- Select "detach pattern"
- Make your changes
The detached pattern will no longer update when you make changes to the original synced pattern.
[Screenshot: Right-click menu showing "detach pattern" option]
Tips for Success
- Use the List View to easily organize and rename portal elements
- Create templates for your most common project types
- Use synced patterns for content that needs to stay consistent across portals
- Detach patterns when you need to customize them for specific clients
Need help? Contact our support team.