I’m working on a WordPress website using the DIVI theme and I want to change how my blog category pages look.
I’ve been trying to figure out the simplest approach to customize these pages. From what I read online, I should be looking for a file called category.php in my theme files and maybe create a custom template, but I can’t seem to locate it anywhere in my theme editor.
I’m pretty new to WordPress customization, so I’m wondering if there’s an easier method or if I’m missing something obvious. Should I be looking in a different location for these template files? Any guidance would be really helpful since I want to make sure I don’t break anything while trying to customize the layout.
You can’t find category.php because DIVI doesn’t work like regular WordPress themes. It ditches the usual PHP template files and uses its own Theme Builder instead, which overrides WordPress’s default template system. Go to Divi > Theme Builder in your dashboard and create a new template for category pages. The Theme Builder lets you design everything with DIVI’s visual builder - way easier than messing with PHP code. Plus it’s safer for beginners since you’re not touching core theme files that might break when the theme updates.
divi theme builder is the way to go! but just a heads up, if you have any caching plugins, they can mess with your view. dont forget to clear the cache after making changes, or you’ll think nothing’s working right when it actually is!
Everyone’s pushing Theme Builder, but you could also create a child theme and add custom category templates. That said, if you’re new to WordPress customization, stick with Theme Builder. I jumped into PHP mods too early on my first site and created a nightmare when updates hit. Theme Builder feels limiting at first, but it handles responsive design automatically and keeps things stable. Once you’re comfortable with how DIVI works, you can always move to advanced customizations later.
DIVI doesn’t use the standard category.php file like other WordPress themes. It’s got its own Theme Builder that works through a visual interface instead of PHP templates. Go to your WordPress dashboard and find Theme Builder under the DIVI menu. You can create a category page template from there - just pick the category page type and use the drag-and-drop modules to build what you want. This is actually better since you don’t need to mess with PHP code or worry about breaking things when the theme updates. The visual builder makes it easy to customize post layouts, pagination, and category descriptions without touching any code.
Others covered Theme Builder well, but here’s what saved me tons of time on similar projects.
Theme Builder’s fine for basic stuff, but you’ll want to tweak category layouts constantly - performance changes, seasonal updates, whatever. Doing it manually through DIVI gets old fast.
I built an automation that watches my blog categories and adjusts layouts based on engagement. Category gets more traffic? Switches to featured layout. Low performers get compressed to save space.
It pulls Google Analytics data, checks performance, then updates layouts via WordPress API. Runs weekly and keeps everything optimized without me lifting a finger.
You could do the same for seasonal layouts, featured post updates, or even A/B test different designs. Way better than clicking through Theme Builder constantly.
I use Latenode for this dynamic category management on my sites. Handles all the API connections and logic without writing custom PHP.
You’re trying to customize the appearance of your WordPress blog category pages using the Divi theme, but you can’t find the category.php file to edit, which is the usual method for customizing WordPress templates. You’re a WordPress beginner and want a safe and simple method to avoid breaking your site.
TL;DR: The Quick Fix:
Divi uses its own visual Theme Builder instead of traditional template files like category.php. Use Divi’s Theme Builder to create a custom template for your category pages. No code is needed!
Step-by-Step Guide:
Access the Divi Theme Builder: In your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Appearance > Divi > Theme Builder.
Create a New Template: Click the “+ Add New Template” button.
Select “Category Page”: In the “Choose a template” section, select “Category Page”. (You may also have options for specific categories).
Customize Your Category Page: Use Divi’s visual builder to customize the layout and design of your category page. Add or remove sections, modules, and change their settings to achieve the desired look. This works much like a drag-and-drop interface.
Save Your Template: Once you’re happy with the design, click “Save” to preserve your customized category page template. Divi will automatically apply your template to all blog category pages.
Clear Your Cache (If Necessary): If you are using a caching plugin, make sure to clear your cache after saving your template changes to ensure the updated version displays correctly.
Common Pitfalls & What to Check Next:
Caching Plugins: As mentioned, caching plugins can sometimes prevent changes from appearing immediately. Ensure your caching plugin is properly configured and clear its cache after making changes.
Theme Updates: While Divi’s Theme Builder is designed to be more resilient to updates, it is always a good idea to back up your site before making significant design changes.
Advanced Customizations: If you need more advanced customizations beyond what the visual builder offers, you can explore using child themes and custom code. This is generally recommended for users with more experience.
Still running into issues? Share your (sanitized) config files, the exact command you ran, and any other relevant details. The community is here to help!
Step-by-Step Guide:
Common Pitfalls & What to Check Next:
Still running into issues? Share your (sanitized) config files, the exact command you ran, and any other relevant details. The community is here to help!