What are Unique Capabilities for Post Types?

“Unique Capabilities for Post Types” is a feature in PublishPress Capabilities that allows you more control over the custom post types.

The problem that's solved by “Unique Capabilities for Post Types” #

When a custom post type is registered on your site, WordPress automatically sets the permissions. Those permissions are borrowed from Posts and Pages.

This has some advantages. For example, it allows Authors and Editors access to the new post type without any further configuration. For most use cases, this is a good choice. However, this does limit your flexibility in customizing access.

For Administrators who want greater control, PublishPress Capabilities provides a way to ensure that each capability defined for a post type can be uniquely granted or removed from any role.

Using “Unique Capabilities for Post Types” #

To enable this feature for a post type follow these steps:

  • Go to “Capabilities” in the WordPress admin menu.
  • Look for the “Unique Capabilities for Post Types” box in the right sidebar.
  • Checking these boxes will trigger new capability requirements for the selected post types.
  • After enabling this feature, you can review each role’s Edit, Create and Delete checkbox areas. There will be new checkboxes that you can enable for each role.

Here are some examples of Type-Specific Capabilities in action: