Layout tab

The Layout tab picks the structural preset and grid geometry. Layout, columns, and related options use visual pickers so you can see the structure before you save. Existing saved values are kept on upgrade.

Fourteen layouts

Grid: classic responsive card grid
Masonry: multi-column masonry-style flow
List: rows with image and text side by side (image left, right, or alternate). On phones it stays a compact row unless Stack List on mobile is Yes
Compact: denser directory-style cards
Ranked list: numbered 01, 02, 03 rows for Most Read lists, with colour, size, and weight. Numbers continue across Load more
Magazine: large lead with supporting cards
News Portal: lead-forward news layout
Featured + list: featured block at the top, compact list rows below. Set Featured article count (1 to 4) and Featured style: Stacked, Overlay (title and category on the image), or Row (side by side on wider screens, one column on phones)
Overlay: title and meta over the image on every card
Timeline: chronological spine with optional date format
Carousel: horizontal strip with optional auto-play
News: homepage-style featured desk for about 3 to 8 top stories (Styles 1 to 5). Count-adaptive: if Count is 7 but only 5 match, the layout uses the 5-item arrangement. Pagination is forced off for News
Mosaic: asymmetric tile recipes (default, checker, featured row)
Bento: mixed-size bento-style blocks

News options

News style: visual picker for Styles 1 to 5
Hero text / Supporting items text: Below or Overlay
Hero height: Small, Medium, or Large
Hero side: Left or Right
Keep Count between 1 and 8 for News. Use Featured Articles Only when you want a curated desk

Shared layout options

Apply Preset Defaults: when Yes, switching layout can fill empty related settings with sensible defaults
Lead article: First article or First featured (Magazine, News Portal, Featured + list)
Featured article count: 1 to 4 lead cards on Magazine, News Portal, and Featured + list (page 1 only)
Featured style: Stacked, Overlay, or Row (Featured + list only)
Rank colour / size / weight: Ranked list only
Columns / Tablet / Mobile: visual device switcher for responsive column counts
Grid Gap: space between cards (0 to 64)
Equal Card Height: stretch cards in a Grid row to match the tallest card
Card Min Height: optional minimum card height in pixels

Layout-specific extras

List Image Side: Left, Right, or Alternate
Stack List on mobile: No (default) keeps a compact list on phones. Yes stacks image above text
Mosaic Recipe: Default, Checker, or Featured row
Timeline Date Format: optional PHP date format
Carousel Auto-play / Speed: only when Layout is Carousel

Student tip

For a Most Read sidebar, use Ranked list with Ordering Most hits. For a featured homepage desk, use News with Count 5 to 7. For mobile-heavy homes, try Featured + list with count 2 and Overlay style.