Blocks
CoverKit uses three block types. Where each block appears depends on whether you are editing a template or a post/page.
| Block | Template editor | Posts / pages |
|---|---|---|
coverkit/layer | Design layers on the template canvas | Child layers inside a Canvas block only |
coverkit/meta | In patterns and starter imports only (see below) | Not available |
coverkit/canvas | Not used; canvas = template settings | Embeds a CoverKit image; Insert from Template |
For use case field mapping (post title → headline layer, and so on), see How to configure use cases—not duplicated here.
coverkit/layer — design layers
Section titled “coverkit/layer — design layers”Each Layer block is one layer in the final image.
On templates
- Add layers from the template toolbar (Draw Layer).
- Position, style, and stack layers on the template canvas.
- Layers are what you map to dynamic fields when a use case is enabled.
On posts and pages
- Layers exist only as children of a CoverKit Canvas block.
- Edit them inside the canvas; the front end renders the canvas as one generated image.
Layer capabilities (inspector varies by type):
- Text — typography, fit-to-box; static text may include
{field_key}tokens resolved at render time - Images — media or mapped dynamic images
- Basic shapes — rectangles, circles, polygons
- Screenshots and QR codes where supported
coverkit/meta — patterns → template settings
Section titled “coverkit/meta — patterns → template settings”The Meta block is a template-only helper. It does not appear on posts or pages.
Why it exists
Section titled “Why it exists”Block patterns and starter HTML can include a Meta block so a pattern carries default canvas values (title, width, height, background, gradient) in one package.
Activate Meta Layer
Section titled “Activate Meta Layer”- Insert or open a pattern that contains a Meta block (or add Meta manually while building a pattern).
- Select the Meta block and set values in the block sidebar.
- Turn on Activate Meta Layer.
When you activate it:
- Meta attributes are written to the current template’s canvas settings (width, height, background, gradient; title can update the template name).
- The Meta block removes itself from the document.
User-facing idea: apply pattern defaults to the template canvas, then continue designing with layers only.
Starter imports
Section titled “Starter imports”Templates imported on plugin activation from bundled starter files apply Meta attributes automatically—you do not need to activate Meta manually for those imports.
coverkit/canvas — on posts and pages
Section titled “coverkit/canvas — on posts and pages”The CoverKit Canvas block embeds a CoverKit design in normal content.
In the editor
Section titled “In the editor”- Insert CoverKit Canvas from the block inserter.
- Add Layer blocks inside the canvas, or use Insert from Template to load layers from a saved CoverKit template.
- Canvas block settings control the embedded instance (size and background for this block).
On the front end
Section titled “On the front end”The canvas is rendered to a generated image (PNG or your site default from Settings → CoverKit), not as live HTML layers. Visitors see a single image URL.
Use cases configured on the saved template (social previews, featured image, sidebar preview, and so on) are separate from an ad-hoc canvas on a post unless you rely on that template elsewhere.
Quick reference
Section titled “Quick reference”Template editor Post / page editor───────────────── ─────────────────Template canvas settings CoverKit Canvas block + layer blocks + layer children + use cases (sidebar) Insert from Template → layers Meta (patterns only) (no Meta block)Developers
Section titled “Developers”Block attributes, build paths, and REST details: Blocks and editor.