Featured image
The Featured image use case replaces the post thumbnail visitors see on your site (archives, singular templates, and similar) with an image CoverKit generates from your template and field mappings. Your saved WordPress featured image attachment is not removed—it stays in the media library and can still feed the Featured image mapping source.
When it runs
Section titled “When it runs”CoverKit swaps thumbnail HTML and URLs on the front end when:
- A published CoverKit template has this use case enabled
- The displayed post’s type is listed in the use case Post types setting
- The post is eligible for field collection (published, viewable content)
In wp-admin, the block editor Summary panel and the classic editor featured-image box can show a CoverKit preview while you edit.
Settings you control
Section titled “Settings you control”| Setting | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Post types | Which content types use this template for thumbnails (singular views and loops such as the blog index, archives, and search). Leave none selected to never match. |
| Alt text | Optional alt text on the generated <img> |
Canvas size comes from the template’s width and height meta—not a fixed social crop.
Recommended mapping
Section titled “Recommended mapping”Map Featured image when your design should include the current post thumbnail (for example a photo inset). Other post and site fields work the same as on other use cases.
Block editor preview
Section titled “Block editor preview”When you edit a post, the Summary Featured image control can show the CoverKit preview URL. It updates when you change the assigned template, use case settings, or replace the featured media (even before save, when the editor sends the current media ID).
Verify output
Section titled “Verify output”- Enable Featured image on a published template and map the fields your layout needs.
- Set Post types to include the content you are testing.
- View the post on the front end (or in a post list) and confirm the thumbnail loads from a
coverkit/v1/use-case/featured_image/...URL. - If the design changed but the image did not, clear the template cache.
Featured image vs. Open Graph
Section titled “Featured image vs. Open Graph”| Featured image | Open Graph image | |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Visitors on your site | Social crawlers and link previews |
| Output | Replaces the_post_thumbnail() output | og:image meta tags |
| Typical canvas | Your template dimensions | 1200×630 recommended |
You can enable both on the same template.