Creating a Custom Post Type for Portfolio in WordPress

Solution for Creating a Portfolio Custom Post Type

Custom Code Solution

This code creates a Portfolio custom post type with relevant labels and support for titles, thumbnails, and excerpts. Place this code in your theme's functions.php file or in a site-specific plugin:

function register_portfolio_post_type() {
    $labels = array(
        'name'               => 'Portfolio',
        'singular_name'      => 'Portfolio Item',
        'menu_name'          => 'Portfolio',
        'add_new'           => 'Add New Item',
        'add_new_item'      => 'Add New Portfolio Item',
        'edit_item'         => 'Edit Portfolio Item',
        'view_item'         => 'View Portfolio Item',
        'all_items'         => 'All Portfolio Items'
    );

    $args = array(
        'labels'              => $labels,
        'public'              => true,
        'has_archive'         => true,
        'menu_icon'           => 'dashicons-portfolio', // WordPress built-in icon
        'menu_position'       => 5,
        'supports'            => array('title', 'editor', 'thumbnail', 'excerpt'),
        'rewrite'            => array('slug' => 'portfolio'), // URL slug
        'show_in_rest'       => true, // Enable Gutenberg editor
    );

    register_post_type('portfolio', $args);
}
add_action('init', 'register_portfolio_post_type');

Add Portfolio Categories (Optional)

Add this code to create a custom taxonomy for portfolio categories:

function register_portfolio_taxonomy() {
    $labels = array(
        'name'              => 'Portfolio Categories',
        'singular_name'     => 'Portfolio Category',
        'search_items'      => 'Search Categories',
        'all_items'         => 'All Categories',
        'parent_item'       => 'Parent Category',
        'parent_item_colon' => 'Parent Category:',
        'edit_item'         => 'Edit Category',
        'add_new_item'      => 'Add New Category'
    );

    $args = array(
        'labels'            => $labels,
        'hierarchical'      => true,
        'show_ui'           => true,
        'show_admin_column' => true,
        'query_var'         => true,
        'rewrite'           => array('slug' => 'portfolio-category'),
        'show_in_rest'      => true
    );

    register_taxonomy('portfolio_category', 'portfolio', $args);
}
add_action('init', 'register_portfolio_taxonomy');

Important Notes:

1. After adding this code, visit Settings > Permalinks and save to flush rewrite rules
2. Create template files in your theme: archive-portfolio.php for the portfolio archive and single-portfolio.php for individual portfolio items
3. The portfolio posts will be available at yoursite.com/portfolio/

Plugin Alternatives

If you prefer using a plugin, here are reliable options:

1. Custom Post Type UI - Create custom post types through admin interface
2. Portfolio Post Type - Specifically designed for portfolio websites
3. Jetpack Portfolio - Part of Jetpack, includes portfolio features

Additional Customization

To add featured image support (if your theme doesn't already have it):

function add_portfolio_featured_image_support() {
    add_theme_support('post-thumbnails');
    add_image_size('portfolio-thumbnail', 300, 300, true);
}
add_action('after_setup_theme', 'add_portfolio_featured_image_support');

This solution provides a solid foundation for a portfolio section that you can further customize based on your specific needs.