Query and Loop Block: Tracking

[mtias]

An initial implementation of the Query and Loop blocks is in place. It's missing some next steps around customizing the query, sidebar controls, and particularly pattern integration for editing and handling different displays of post lists.

High

• Address missing query functionality. Missing Query block functionality #24934
  • post_type
  • page
  • search
  • order
  • per_page
  • tags
  • offset
  • author
  • sticky
• Template logic: inherit query from template context
  • Loop: Query block: Allow inheriting the global query arguments #27128
  • Query Pagination: Query pagination with InnerBlocks #28125
• Reflect reading settings when the query block inherits query context. Block-based themes: what happens to Reading Settings? #20338
• Expose initial templates as variations. Expose initial templates as variations #26194

Normal

• Add some patterns.
• Add Custom Post Types support. Add Custom Post Types support in Query block #25903
• Enhance the initialisation of Query. After selecting 'layout'(ex title + excerpt) variation in Placeholder have a second step for easy setting of attributes. Enhance the initialisation of Query with a second step for setting attributes #27031
• Transform Query in other block variations after creation (this will be handled in a generic way though):
  • Step 1 - issue: Add a way to transform between block variations #25231, PR: Block variations transformations #26687
  • Step 2 - issue: Block variation transforms with InnerBlocks and custom transforms #26962
• Isolated template editing for the Loop. Supplementary editing flow for "The Loop" template #26190
• Start a new post from the block. Add new post link to Query #27732
• Add next and prev page links to Query Pagination block. Query pagination with InnerBlocks #28125
• Allow customizing the no-results behavior of the Query block. Allow customizing the no-results behavior of the query block #27302

Needs Decision

• Explore combining Query and Loop: the current setup is confusing to work with. - There are InnerBlocks limitations and needs more explorations. Maybe the Query should absorb the Loop's Toolbar.

[ntsekouras]

Address missing query functionality. (Expand...)

This might be the proper place to discuss some design decisions about the contents of toolbar and sidebar.

Related PR: #24691, that adds some order support in the Query block.

[ockham]

FYI @david-szabo97

[gziolo]

@mtias, should we include more items on the todo list, some of the references to consider:

• Add an Query Title block (the default title for pages like "Month: April 2020" or "Category: WordPress") - Covering All Features of Template Tags in Full Site Editing (FSE) #22724
• Add next and prev page links to Query Pagination block: Pagination block #26557

[mtias]

@gziolo definitely, feel free to add them

[gziolo]

I included both of them with priority Normal. In addition, I added to the list the following item:

• Allow customizing the no-results behavior of the Query block. Allow customizing the no-results behavior of the query block #27302

@aristath created it based on his explorations of Drupal's Views module summarized in #25790.

[mtias]

@gziolo two things, though: "Query Title" is just "Page Title" and not tied to the query but tied to the template resolver. I think it should be added to the Milestone:4 Theme Blocks — #22724 instead

[gziolo]

@gziolo two things, though: "Query Title" is just "Page Title" and not tied to the query but tied to the template resolver. I think it should be added to the Milestone:4 Theme Blocks — #22724 instead

That's a good point, I will move.

It triggers two questions

• whether we should have Page Loop and Page Navigation blocks listed in the inserter (scoped to the template or so to speak global query arguments)
• whether Page Title block is separate from Post (type) Title

I'm personally still having harder time visualizing how it would work best for users.

[ntsekouras]

@gziolo two things, though: "Query Title" is just "Page Title" and not tied to the query but tied to the template resolver. I think it should be added to the Milestone:4 Theme Blocks — #22724 instead

I also think that Title could be left separate and be handled with PostTitle block and later implement a TermTitle block.

--edit Explorations around Query Title here: #27989

[mtias]

The initial set of high priority items is done. I think we can close this issue and keep track of further individual items separately for clarity until a full iteration again emerges.