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How can I create custom post types without using a plugin in WordPress?

Asked on Dec 13, 2025

Answer

Creating custom post types in WordPress without using a plugin involves adding code to your theme's `functions.php` file. This method gives you full control over the custom post type's settings and behavior.

<!-- BEGIN COPY / PASTE -->
    function my_custom_post_type() {
      $labels = array(
        'name'               => 'Books',
        'singular_name'      => 'Book',
        'menu_name'          => 'Books',
        'name_admin_bar'     => 'Book',
        'add_new'            => 'Add New',
        'add_new_item'       => 'Add New Book',
        'new_item'           => 'New Book',
        'edit_item'          => 'Edit Book',
        'view_item'          => 'View Book',
        'all_items'          => 'All Books',
        'search_items'       => 'Search Books',
        'parent_item_colon'  => 'Parent Books:',
        'not_found'          => 'No books found.',
        'not_found_in_trash' => 'No books found in Trash.'
      );

      $args = array(
        'labels'             => $labels,
        'public'             => true,
        'publicly_queryable' => true,
        'show_ui'            => true,
        'show_in_menu'       => true,
        'query_var'          => true,
        'rewrite'            => array('slug' => 'book'),
        'capability_type'    => 'post',
        'has_archive'        => true,
        'hierarchical'       => false,
        'menu_position'      => null,
        'supports'           => array('title', 'editor', 'author', 'thumbnail', 'excerpt', 'comments')
      );

      register_post_type('book', $args);
    }

    add_action('init', 'my_custom_post_type');
    <!-- END COPY / PASTE -->

Additional Comment:

Ensure you back up your theme files before making changes to `functions.php`.
After adding the code, visit the WordPress dashboard to see the new "Books" post type.
Remember to flush permalinks (Settings → Permalinks) after registering a new post type.
Consider creating a child theme if you plan to modify theme files, to preserve changes during updates.

✅ Answered with WordPress best practices.

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How can I create custom post types without using a plugin in WordPress?

Asked on Dec 13, 2025

Answer

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