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submitting-to-block-directory.md

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Share your Block with the World

So you've created an awesome block? Care to share?

Contents:

  1. Help users understand your block
  2. Analyze your plugin
  3. Zip & Submit

Step 1: Help users understand your block

It is important to the Block Directory and our end users to provide easy to understand information on how your block was created.

Guidelines:

  • Name your block based on what it does
  • Clearly describe your block
  • Add Keywords for all contexts
  • Choose the right category

Name your block based on what it does

Users typically search the Block Directory within the Block Editor and do so in the context of a task. For example, when building their post, a user may search the Block Directory for an “image gallery”. Naming your block accordingly will help the Block Directory surface it when it's needed.

Not So Good: WebTeam5 Image Works Good: Responsive Image Slider by WebTeam5

Question: What happens when there are multiple blocks with similar names? Try your best to make your block's name functional and unique to make it stand out. Look for applicable synonyms or include a prefix if necessary.

Clearly describe your block

The description really helps to communicate what your block does.The quicker a user understands how your block will help them, the more likely it is a user will use your block. Users will be reading your block's description within the Block Editor where space can be limited. Try to keep it short and concise.

Not So Good: The best way to show images on your website using jQuery and CSS. Good: A responsive image gallery block.

Tip: It’s not about marketing your block, in fact we want to avoid marketing in blocks. You can read more about it in the [plugin guidelines]. Stick to being as clear as you can. The Block Directory will provide metrics to let users know how awesome your block is!

Add Keywords for broader context

Keywords add extra context to your block and make it more likely to be found in the inserter.

Examples for an Image Slider block:

  • slider
  • carousel
  • gallery

Read more about keywords.

Choose the right category

The Block Editor allows you to indicate the category your block belongs in, making it easier for users to locate your block in the menu.

Possible Values:

  • text
  • media
  • design
  • widgets
  • embed

Read more about categories.

Wondering where to input all this information? Read the next section :)

Step 2: Analyze your plugin

Each block in your plugin should have a corresponding block.json file with the block metadata. This file provides the Block Directory important information about your block. Along with being the place to store contextual information about your block like the: name, description, keywords and category, the block.json file stores the location of your block’s files.

Block plugins submitted to the Block Directory can contain mutliple blocks only if they are children of a single parent/ancestor. There should only be one main block. For example, a list block can contain list-item blocks. Children blocks must set the parent property in their block.json file.

Double check that the following is true for your block:

  • editorScript is pointing to the JavaScript bundle that includes all the code used in the editor.
  • editorStyle is pointing to the CSS bundle that includes all the css used in the editor.
  • script is pointing to the JavaScript bundle that includes all the code used on the website.
  • style is pointing to the CSS bundle that includes all the code used on the website.

We encourage the separation of code by using both editorScript/editorStyle and script/style files listed in your block.json to keep the backend and frontend interfaces running smoothly. Even though only one file is required.

Here is an example of a basic block.json file.

{
	"name": "plugin-slug/image-slider",
	"title": "Responsive Image Slider",
	"description": "A responsive and easy to use image gallery block.",
	"keywords": [ "slider", "carousel", "gallery" ],
	"category": "media",
	"editorScript": "file:./dist/editor.js"
}

The block.json file also contains other important properties. Take a look at an example block.json for additional properties to be included in the block.json file.

Step 3: Zip & Submit

The community is thankful for your contribution. It is time to submit your plugin.

Go through the block guidelines. Create a zip file of your block and go to the block plugin validator and upload your plugin.