WDS BT v1.3.5 - Dynamic Block Pattern Category Registration

Release Notes: Dynamic Block Pattern Category Registration

New Features:

Automatic Pattern Category Registration

• The theme now automatically registers block pattern categories based on subfolders in the patterns/ directory.
• How it works:
  • Any subfolder you add to patterns/ (e.g., patterns/cards/, patterns/hero/) will be registered as a block pattern category.
  • The folder name is used as the category slug, and a human-friendly label is generated for the block editor.
  • Pattern files placed in these subfolders and using the correct Categories header (matching the folder name) will appear in the block editor under the appropriate category.
• No manual code changes are needed to add new pattern categories—just add a subfolder to patterns/.
• How to use:
  1. Create a new subfolder inside patterns/ (e.g., patterns/cards/).
  2. Place your pattern PHP files in that subfolder.
  3. In each pattern file, set the Categories header to the folder name (e.g., Categories: cards).
  4. The new category will appear in the block editor, and your patterns will be listed under it.

Flush Object Cache and Transients

• Added a "Flush Object Cache and Transients" button to the Theme Options page (Tools > WDSBT Settings).
• When used, this button:
  • Unregisters all custom block patterns and re-registers pattern categories.
    • This would not force a full rescan of the /patterns folder which would automatically show the new pattern category.
    • Switching themes is the only 100% reliable way to force a full re-scan of the /patterns folder.
    • Flushing all caches and transients, and hard refreshing, are the next best options.
    • There is no official WordPress function to force this without a theme switch.
  • Flushes the WordPress object cache and deletes all transients to help ensure new code and/or style changes appear as soon as possible in the block editor.
  • Injects a JavaScript event to notify open block editor tabs to refresh their pattern/category cache.
  • Displays a clear admin notice explaining WordPress’s caching limitations and that a theme switch or full cache clear may still be required for new categories to appear immediately.
• How to use:
  1. Add or update patterns/categories in your theme’s /patterns folder.
  2. Go to Tools > WDSBT Settings in the WordPress admin.
  3. Click the "Flush Object Cache and Transients" button.
  4. Reload the block editor to see new patterns/categories, or follow the admin notice instructions if they do not appear immediately.

Important:
Due to WordPress core caching, new pattern categories may not appear immediately after a flush.
If you do not see your new categories:

• Try switching to another theme and then back to your theme, or
• Wait several minutes for caches to expire, or
• Clear all object caches and browser caches.

This is a WordPress limitation and does not affect production sites where patterns/categories are set before launch.