Chykalophia Docs

Learn how to save blocks as synced patterns (formerly reusable blocks) or use block patterns to quickly add professionally designed sections to any page or post.

If you find yourself creating the same content layout on multiple pages — a call-to-action section, a team member card, a testimonial format — there's a better way. WordPress has two tools that let you save and reuse your work: reusable blocks and block patterns. Since WordPress 6.3, reusable blocks are called synced patterns, and that's the name you'll see on screen. This guide explains both.

Quick summary

A reusable block (now called a synced pattern) is a block (or group of blocks) you save once and insert anywhere. When you edit the reusable block, it updates everywhere it's used. A pattern is a pre-built design template you insert and then customize freely — each copy is independent. Both save time on repetitive layouts.

What you'll need

Editor or Administrator access in WordPress.
A page or post open for editing. See how to edit a page.

Understanding the difference

Reusable blocks

Saved in one place, used in many
Editing the original updates all copies everywhere
Great for content that must stay identical across pages (e.g., a "Book a call" section)
When selected, its toolbar shows Edit original, which opens the shared copy

Block patterns

A design template you insert and then customize
Each use is fully independent — editing one doesn't affect others
Great for layouts you want to start from (e.g., a hero section design)
Come from WordPress itself, your theme, plugins, the WordPress pattern directory, or your own saved patterns

Reusable blocks update everywhere — be careful

Because editing a reusable block changes it on every page where it appears, always make a test edit on a preview first if you're unsure about a change. If you want to customize one instance only, detach it first (see below).

Working with reusable blocks

Create a reusable block

Build the block or group of blocks you want to save. For example, a Columns block containing a heading, text, and a button.

Select the block(s). To select a single block, click it. To select multiple, click the first, hold Shift, and click the last. You can group them first (three-dot menu → Group), but you don't have to.

Click the three-dot menu (⋮) in the block toolbar.

Click Create pattern. A dialog box appears.

Give it a clear name (e.g., "CTA — Book a Call"), leave Synced switched on, and click Add. The blocks are now saved as a synced pattern, and the selected blocks on your page are replaced by it.

Insert a reusable block on another page

Click the + button where you want to insert it.

Search for the name you gave it. The synced pattern appears in the results. (You can also open the Patterns tab and look under My patterns.)

Click the reusable block to insert it. It appears on the page looking identical to the original.

Edit a reusable block

Click the reusable block to select it.

Click Edit original in the block toolbar. The synced pattern opens in its own editor. (You only see this button if you're allowed to edit the pattern.)

Make your changes, then click Save. The change applies on every page where the pattern is used. Then go back to the page you were working on.

Convert a reusable block to regular blocks

If you want to customize a single instance without affecting all the others:

Click the reusable block to select it.

Click the three-dot menu (⋮) in the toolbar.

Click Detach (older versions called this "Convert to regular blocks"), then click Detach again to confirm. The pattern becomes normal blocks on this page only. Editing them here will not affect other pages.

Manage all reusable blocks

To see, edit, or delete all your saved reusable blocks in one place:

From any page or post, open Options (⋮, top right) and choose Manage patterns. Administrators land in the pattern library; other users see a simple list of patterns. Administrators can also go straight to the library: Appearance → Editor → Patterns on a block theme, or Appearance → Design or Appearance → Patterns on a classic theme. The simple list is also at /wp-admin/edit.php?post_type=wp_block (add it to your site's domain in the browser address bar).

Working with block patterns

What is a block pattern?

A block pattern is a pre-designed layout you can insert into any page with one click. Patterns come from:

WordPress itself (a few built-in patterns)
Your WordPress theme (custom patterns your site designer created)
Installed plugins
The free WordPress pattern directory
Patterns you or your team have saved

Insert a block pattern

Click where you want the pattern to go, then click the + (Block Inserter) button in the top toolbar.

Click the Patterns tab at the top of the block picker. Pick a category to see its pattern thumbnails, or click Explore all patterns for a bigger view.

Browse or search for the type of layout you need (e.g., "hero," "testimonial," "pricing").

Click a pattern to insert it. It appears on the page with placeholder text and images. Edit each block inside the pattern to add your real content.

Patterns are templates — customize them freely

Since WordPress 7.0, an inserted pattern acts like a single block: you can change its text and swap its images straight away. For bigger changes, such as rearranging or deleting parts, select the pattern and click Edit pattern first (click Exit pattern when you're done). Some sites switch this behavior off, in which case you can edit every block directly. Either way, your edits stay on this page only.

Common questions

I edited a reusable block and now all my pages look wrong — how do I fix it?

Patterns keep revisions, so you can usually go back. Open the pattern (select it and click Edit original, or use Manage patterns), look for Revisions in its settings sidebar, and restore the earlier version. See undo mistakes with revisions. Alternatively, detach the problem copy (three-dot menu → Detach) and fix it by hand.

Yes, by exporting and importing a file. Reusable blocks are stored in your WordPress database, so they don't sync between sites on their own. In the pattern library (see "Manage all reusable blocks" above), open the pattern's three-dot actions menu and choose Export as JSON. On the other site, use Import pattern from JSON in its pattern library (the simple patterns list calls this Import from JSON). Ask us if you'd like help.

I can't find the Patterns tab in the block picker — where is it?

Patterns may be labeled differently or hidden depending on your WordPress version and theme. Try looking for a "Browse all" option in the block picker. If you still can't find it, your site may be running an older version of WordPress — contact your project lead.

What's the difference between a pattern and a template?

A pattern is a content section (like a hero block or testimonials row) inserted into a page. A template is the full-page structure (like the layout of all blog posts) — it controls elements like headers, footers, and sidebars. On block themes, templates are managed in the Site Editor (Appearance → Editor → Templates). Your project lead typically manages templates.

Yes. When you save a group of blocks as a pattern (using the same steps as creating a reusable block), you choose whether it's synced (reusable) or unsynced (independent) with the Synced switch. Unsynced patterns work as starting-point templates. Anyone on your site who can edit posts can insert your saved patterns; they appear under My patterns in the Patterns tab.

Need a hand?

If you're stuck, email support@chykalophia.com and we'll help. Include your website address and a screenshot if you can.

Reusable blocks & patterns