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Core Blocks Overview

The Gutenberg Block Editor framework includes a comprehensive collection of core blocks organized into functional categories. Each block is designed to help you create rich, dynamic content with minimal effort.

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Block Categories

Core blocks are organized into the following categories:

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Text Blocks

Blocks for creating and formatting textual content, including paragraphs, headings, lists, quotes, and code snippets. View Text Blocks →

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Media Blocks

Blocks for embedding and displaying media content such as images, videos, audio files, galleries, and file downloads. View Media Blocks →

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Design Blocks

Layout and structural blocks including columns, groups, buttons, separators, and spacers for organizing your content. View Design Blocks →

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Widget Blocks

Utility blocks for common website features like search, RSS feeds, archives, tag clouds, and custom HTML. View Widget Blocks →

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Theme Blocks

Blocks specifically designed for theme development, including navigation, site identity, post templates, and comments. View Theme Blocks →

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Embed Blocks

Blocks for embedding content from external services like YouTube, Twitter, WordPress, and other oEmbed providers. View Embed Blocks →

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Block Structure

Every core block follows a consistent structure defined in its block.json file: 
{
  "apiVersion": 3,
  "name": "core/block-name",
  "title": "Block Title",
  "category": "text|media|design|widgets|theme|embed",
  "description": "Brief description of the block",
  "attributes": { /* Block-specific attributes */ },
  "supports": { /* Feature support flags */ }
}

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Block Attributes

Attributes define the configurable properties of a block. Common attribute types include:
  • content - Rich text content
  • url - Media URLs or links
  • id - Media library IDs
  • align - Alignment options
  • className - Custom CSS classes

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Block Supports

Block supports define which features are available for a block:
  • align - Alignment options (left, center, right, wide, full)
  • anchor - Custom HTML anchor support
  • color - Text, background, and gradient color controls
  • spacing - Margin and padding controls
  • typography - Font size, line height, and text formatting
  • interactivity - Client-side navigation and dynamic features

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Usage Patterns

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Registering a Block

import { registerBlockType } from '@wordpress/blocks';
import metadata from './block.json';

registerBlockType(metadata.name, {
  edit: Edit,
  save: Save,
});

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Using Block Supports

Block supports are automatically applied when defined in block.json. The editor will provide the appropriate controls in the block inspector. 
{
  "supports": {
    "align": ["wide", "full"],
    "color": {
      "gradients": true,
      "link": true
    },
    "spacing": {
      "margin": true,
      "padding": true
    }
  }
}

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Block Patterns

Many blocks can be combined to create reusable patterns. Core blocks are designed to work together seamlessly:
  • Combine Columns with Image and Paragraph for feature sections
  • Use Group with Cover for hero sections
  • Nest Button inside Buttons for call-to-action groups

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Experimental Blocks

Some blocks are marked as experimental and are only available when specific conditions are met:
  • Experimental: true - Only available when Gutenberg plugin is active
  • Experimental: fse - Only available in the Site Editor
Experimental blocks include:
  • Form blocks (Form, Form Input, Form Submit Button)
  • Playlist blocks
  • Tab blocks (Tabs, Tab Panel, Tab Menu)
  • Table of Contents

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Deprecated Blocks

Some blocks have been deprecated in favor of newer alternatives:
  • Post Author → Use Avatar, Author Name, and Author Biography blocks
  • Comment Author Avatar → Use Avatar block
  • Text Columns → Use Columns block

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Resources

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