Remove CPT Base

Custom post types in WordPress have a base slug: /products/blue-widget, /portfolio/project-name. This module removes that base, giving you cleaner URLs: /blue-widget, /project-name.

Use Cases#

• Create cleaner product URLs without /products/
• Remove /portfolio/ from portfolio item URLs
• Shorten URLs for better sharing and SEO
• Match URL structure to site hierarchy

How It Works#

The module:

1. Filters permalink generation to remove the CPT base
2. Adds rewrite rules so WordPress finds posts at the new URLs
3. Redirects old URLs (with base) to new URLs (301 redirect)
4. Flushes permalinks when settings change

Settings#

Enabling for a CPT#

1. Open module settings
2. Select the custom post types
3. Save settings
4. Permalinks flush automatically

URL Changes#

Conflict Prevention#

The module checks for slug conflicts:

• If a page and CPT item have the same slug, the page takes priority
• Posts and pages slugs are checked to prevent collisions
• Warning appears if conflicts are detected

Old URL Handling#

When someone visits the old URL (with base):

1. Module detects the old URL pattern
2. Performs a 301 permanent redirect to the new URL
3. Search engines update their index
4. Bookmarks still work via redirect

SEO Considerations#

Benefits:

• Shorter URLs can improve click-through rates
• Cleaner URLs look more professional
• Removes redundant URL segments

Cautions:

• Changing URLs affects SEO temporarily
• 301 redirects pass most link equity
• Allow time for search engines to reindex

Technical Details#

The module uses:

• post_type_link filter to modify permalinks
• request filter to parse incoming URLs
• init action to register rewrite rules
• template_redirect for old URL redirects

Permalinks are flushed automatically when settings change.

FAQ#