Stop Registering Customizer Options for Block Themes

Alba Rincón Avatar
Alba Rincón

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Update

We have introduced some changes since this post was originally published and starting with WC 6.9, if a site has a block theme active, WooCommerce Customizer options are registered when accessing the Customizer directly, but not when visiting other admin pages.

Here are some different scenarios:

  • Site with classic theme active: No change of behavior between WooCommerce 6.8 and 6.9.
  • Site with block theme active and no other plugin that registers customizer settings: The customizer menu item will not be available, however, if users browse directly to the customize page (wp-admin/customize.php), they will be able to access and change WooCommerce’s customize settings.
  • Site with block theme active and a plugin other than WooCommerce that registers customizer setting: The customizer menu will be available and when users browse to the customizer page they will be able to access and change WooCommerce settings.

Summary

Starting at version 6.9, WooCommerce will no longer register Customizer options when a block theme is active.

The Details

The primary way for site owners to customize their site was via the WordPress Customizer, and WooCommerce did register a few commerce-specific settings. But with the advent of Block Themes and Full Site Editing came a new way to personalize a site: the Site Editor.

Now, when a block theme is active, there are two paths for customizing a site: Edit Site and Customize.

To avoid confusion with these two options and support the transition to the Site Editor, WooCommerce Core will no longer register customizer options when a block theme is active. This change will be introduced with the release of WooCommerce 6.9 in September 2022. 

However, if a plugin or custom code registers a callback function for the customize_register action, the Customize menu item will still be added in.

How can I tell if this affects me?

Subpanels or sections registered within the WooCommerce panel on the Customizer will no longer be accessible since the Customizer links will be removed. If you’re the developer of a theme or extension that relies on the presence of these you will need to make changes to ensure a smooth transition.

What action should I take?

If you’re the developer of a theme or extension that relies on the presence of the WooCommerce sections in the Customizer and your settings are still needed when a block theme is active, consider registering them to a new section in the Customizer. However, we recommend you investigate either replacing those settings with a block, pattern, or Global Styles.

Keep yourself in the loop!

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6 responses to “Stop Registering Customizer Options for Block Themes”

  1. pimomedia Avatar
    pimomedia

    Where we will find those options from 6.9 onwards?

    Reply
    1. Albert Juhé Lluveras Avatar
      Albert Juhé Lluveras

      We are progressively migrating those options into block-based features. If for some reason, you still need to access the Customizer when having a block theme active, you can still go to wp-admin/customize.php. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  2. Albert Juhé Lluveras Avatar
    Albert Juhé Lluveras

    We have introduced some changes since this post was originally published and starting with WC 6.9, if a site has a block theme active, WooCommerce Customizer options are registered when accessing the Customizer directly, but not when visiting other admin pages.

    Here are some different scenarios:

    Site with classic theme active: No change of behavior between WooCommerce 6.8 and 6.9.
    Site with block theme active and no other plugin that registers customizer settings: The customizer menu item will not be available, however, if users browse directly to the customize page (wp-admin/customize.php), they will be able to access and change WooCommerce’s customize settings.
    Site with block theme active and a plugin other than WooCommerce that registers customizer setting: The customizer menu will be available and when users browse to the customizer page they will be able to access and change WooCommerce settings.

    Reply
  3. Weekly WordPress News: A New WordPress.org Homepage

    […] Stop Registering Customizer Options for Block Themes – this update will apply in the upcoming release. […]

    Reply
  4. Enda Avatar
    Enda

    I’m in the process of designing my website through bold grid Crio, through word press It’s stating that there are two updates needed on the pages for Woocommerce, but I’m not sure how to contact them. No response on the communities. Any suggestions please

    Reply
    1. Brent MacKinnon Avatar
      Brent MacKinnon

      Hi Enda, since Bold Grid Crio is not an official WooCommerce partner, we unfortunately don’t have a direct relationship with their support team. As such, we can’t provide specific guidance on how to best contact them about the issues you’re experiencing.

      However, if you have any questions or need support related to using WooCommerce on your website, I’d encourage you to reach out to our official WooCommerce support channels. Our team would be happy to assist you with troubleshooting any WooCommerce-specific problems you’re facing.

      Please feel free to submit a support ticket and we’ll do our best to help you resolve the WooCommerce-related aspects of your website setup. Let us know if there’s anything else we can do to support you.

      Reply

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