Layout is the structure of a page: whether it has a sidebar, which side the sidebar is on, and how wide the content is. As of Memberlite 8.0, every view on your site uses one of five layouts. You set a default layout for each part of your site in the Customizer, then override it on any single page or post in the block editor.

The Five Layouts

• Right Sidebar: Content with a sidebar on the right.
• Left Sidebar: Content with a sidebar on the left.
• Narrow: A single centered column, about 800px wide.
• Contained: A single wider column, up to 1230px.
• Full Width: No sidebar, using the full width of the page. Only available for pages.

Wide and full width blocks can break out of the content column on single pages and posts that use a layout without a sidebar.

You can find the layout settings under:

• Appearance > Customize > Pages
• Appearance > Customize > Posts & Archives
• Appearance > Customize > Other Post Types (for compatible post types or post types passed through the memberlite_customizer_cpts filter)

Columns Ratio

Each layout setting has its own Columns Ratio. It only shows when the layout you picked has a sidebar.

The two numbers are the content column width and the sidebar column width on a 12-unit grid. For example, “8×4” gives the content 8 units and the sidebar 4 units. “9×3” makes the sidebar narrower. “6×6” splits the space evenly. The default is “8×4”.

Override the Layout on a Single Page or Post

To give a single page, post, or supported custom post type its own layout, open it in the block editor and use the Layout panel in the Settings sidebar. Leave it on Default to follow your Customizer setting. Read more about the Layout panel.

Pages

The settings under Appearance > Customize > Pages control the layout of your static WordPress pages. This includes pages you create yourself and any pages generated by Paid Memberships Pro such as your Account, Checkout, and Membership Levels pages.

• Default Page Layout: Used on every page unless it picks its own layout in the editor. The default is Right Sidebar.
• Columns Ratio: The content-to-sidebar width split, shown for sidebar layouts.

Your homepage uses Contained unless you pick a layout for it in the editor.

The Pages panel also has a Show Prev/Next on Single Pages setting. Read more in Display Settings.

Posts & Archives

The settings under Appearance > Customize > Posts & Archives are grouped under three headings: Layout, Content, and Navigation Settings.

Layout

• Default Single Post Layout: Used on single posts unless a post picks its own layout in the editor. The default is Narrow.
• Default Blog & Archive Layout: Used on the blog, category, tag, date, and author pages. The default is Contained. If you set a static Posts page under Settings > Reading, that page’s own Layout panel overrides this for your blog index.
• Search Results Layout: Used on the search results page. The default is Right Sidebar.

Each one has its own Columns Ratio when you pick a sidebar layout.

Archive Display

The Archive Display setting under the Content heading controls how posts show on your blog and archive pages (category, tag, date, and author pages). It does not affect single post pages.

• Show Full Post Content: Displays the complete text of each post. Visitors do not need to click through to read a post. Works well for sites with short posts.
• Show Post Excerpts: Displays a short preview of each post with a “Read More” link. The excerpt is the excerpt written in the post editor, the text before a More block, or an automatically generated snippet if neither is set.
• Show Posts in a Grid: Arranges posts in a grid of cards. The grid fits its columns to the content area, so it works with or without a sidebar.

New sites start with Show Posts in a Grid.

The other Content settings (Author Block, Featured Images, and Post Entry Meta) and the Navigation Settings are covered in Display Settings.

Other Post Types

If compatible custom post types are detected, an Other Post Types panel appears in the Customizer. Each custom post type has its own section, labeled with the post type name (for example, “Courses Layout”).

Compatible Post Types

Memberlite automatically checks for these PMPro Add On custom post types. If the Add On is active, a section is added under Appearance > Customize > Other Post Types for each one.

• pmpro_course is registered by the Courses for Membership Add On
• pmpro_lesson is also registered by the Courses for Membership Add On
• pmpro_series is registered by the Series: Drip-Feed Content Add On

Passing Your Own Custom Post Types

Custom post types registered by third-party plugins or child themes can be added using the memberlite_customizer_cpts filter. The filter accepts an array of custom post type slugs.

add_filter( 'memberlite_customizer_cpts', function( $cpts ) {
	$cpts[] = 'my_cpt_slug';
	return $cpts;
} );

Settings for Each Post Type

Each post type section starts with an Inherit from Posts & Archives checkbox, which is checked by default. While it is checked, the post type uses your Posts & Archives settings. Uncheck it to show these settings for the post type:

• Default Single {Type} Layout and Single {Type} Columns Ratio: The layout for single items. An item can still pick its own layout in the editor.
• Default {Type} Archive Layout and {Type} Archive Columns Ratio: The layout for the post type’s archive. Only shown if the post type has archive pages.
• Archive Display: Full content, excerpts, or a grid on the post type’s archive. Only shown if the post type has an archive.

The archive settings also apply to that post type’s own taxonomy archives (for example, a “Course Category” archive), as long as the taxonomy belongs to only that post type. Category and tag archives always use your Posts & Archives settings.

Not all third-party post types are supported, even if they’re passed through the filter and their settings show under Other Post Types. A post type will usually follow these settings if its archive and single views use Memberlite’s theme templates. Test after adding a post type.