Table of contents

What is the WordPress Command Palette? How to access the Command Palette What you can do with the Command Palette Who can use the Command Palette? Tips to use the Command Palette efficiently Limitations of the current Command Palette How to extend the Command Palette with custom commands Why the Command Palette matters for productivity Next steps Additional resources

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WordPress Guide → Build → Command Palette

WordPress Command Palette: A Beginner’s Guide

The WordPress Command Palette is one of the best new tools for anyone using a block theme. It gives you fast, keyboard-powered control over your site—without needing to dig through menus. You can use it to jump between templates, insert blocks, or change views with just a few keystrokes.

Let’s walk through how it works, how to access it, and how to use it effectively—especially if you’re new to WordPress or the Site Editor.

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What is the WordPress Command Palette?

The Command Palette is a quick-access menu that lets you run commands, navigate your site, and insert blocks—all from a single input box. If you’ve used a code editor like VS Code or design software with a search bar for tools, it’ll feel familiar. You press a keyboard shortcut, type what you want to do, and hit Enter.

This feature was introduced in WordPress 6.3 as part of the Site Editor and works with any theme that supports Full Site Editing.

How to access the Command Palette

There are two ways to open the Command Palette:

Press Cmd + K on Mac or Ctrl + K on Windows
Click the search icon in the top bar of the Site Editor interface

You’ll see a search-style input box appear where you can type any command, navigation target, or block name.

The Command Palette is only available inside the Site Editor and Post/Page Editor when you’re using a block theme.

What you can do with the Command Palette

The Command Palette supports several types of actions. Here’s a breakdown of what you can use it for.

Navigate quickly between templates, pages, and settings

Start typing the name of any template or page to jump to it instantly
Type “templates,” “template parts,” or “pages” to get a filtered list to choose from
Commands like “view site” or “open styles” also let you move between site-wide editing areas

Insert blocks directly

Type the name of a block—like “Image” or “Quote”—to add it to the content area
You can also start your command with a /, just like in the normal block editor
No need to open the block inserter sidebar or search through categories

Run editor commands

Toggle between editing modes with “List View,” “Code Editor,” or “Top Toolbar”
Undo or redo changes with “Undo” and “Redo”
Lock blocks or convert groups with the right commands

Search and filter content

As you type, the palette automatically filters matching commands or block names. That means you can use partial words and still get accurate results.

The more you use it, the more familiar you’ll get with what’s available

Who can use the Command Palette?

The Command Palette is available to any logged-in user with access to the Site Editor. That generally means Administrators and Editors, though the exact capabilities may depend on your theme and installed plugins.

It’s only available if your theme supports Full Site Editing. Classic themes that don’t include a theme.json file or template parts won’t show the Command Palette at all.

Tips to use the Command Palette efficiently

The more you use the Command Palette, the faster your workflow will get. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of it:

Use partial words—typing “nav” will bring up Navigation-related commands
Combine it with the slash command (/) for a faster block insertion experience
Start typing common tasks like “insert image,” “add new post,” or “open styles” to learn what’s supported
Think of it as a search bar for editing actions—you don’t have to memorize menu locations anymore

Limitations of the current Command Palette

While it’s a powerful feature, the Command Palette does have a few limitations you should be aware of:

It only works in the Site Editor and Post/Page Editor within block themes.
You can’t use it on the frontend or within the Admin Dashboard.
It doesn’t support global admin actions like installing plugins or updating settings.
There’s no built-in way for non-developers to create custom commands—yet.

How to extend the Command Palette with custom commands

If you’re a developer or work with one, you can expand the Command Palette’s capabilities with your own commands. Starting in WordPress 6.4, developers can register new commands using the @wordpress/commands package.

Here’s what’s possible:

Register custom commands that run plugin features, like clearing a cache or launching a custom UI.
Define contextual commands that only show up when editing a certain post type or block.
Add dynamic commands based on current editor state.

For example, a developer could register a command called “Sync products from Shopify” or “Open support ticket dashboard” if you’re running custom plugin features.

Why the Command Palette matters for productivity

This feature is a major time-saver once you get used to it. Instead of jumping through menus or toolbars, you can keep your hands on the keyboard and stay in your flow.

It helps you:

Discover hidden features more easily
Move faster between design elements and templates
Reduce distractions when editing

And as the Command Palette gets more extensibility in future WordPress versions, it’ll become even more valuable for site managers, content editors, and developers.

Next steps for mastering the WordPress Command Palette

The Command Palette makes your WordPress workflow smoother and faster. You can navigate your site, insert content, and tweak settings—all without taking your hands off the keyboard.

If you’re using a block theme, give it a try today. Open the Site Editor, hit Cmd + K or Ctrl + K, and start typing to explore what’s possible.

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