CFMB - Custom Fields Meta Box

Custom fields, post types, taxonomies and options pages. Clean data, a fast editor, and no locked features.

Description

CFMB lets you add your own fields to WordPress edit screens and show their values in your theme, in blocks and in page builders.

Build a field group, choose where it shows, and your editors get the fields on those screens. Values are saved as normal WordPress meta under the field name, so they work with WP_Query, meta_query and other plugins.

Fields

• Basic: text, text area, number, range, email, URL, password.
• Content: rich text editor, image, file, gallery, oEmbed.
• Choice: select, checkboxes, radio buttons, button group, toggle.
• Relational: link, post, page link, relationship, taxonomy, user.
• Pickers: date, time, date and time, color, icon, map.
• Layout: message, tab, accordion.
• Structure: Group, Repeater, Stacks (rows that each pick a layout, in any order) and Presets (reuse the fields of another group and keep them in sync).

Long Repeaters stay fast. Rows collapse, load their fields only when opened, and can be split into pages. Rows can be duplicated, moved and copied between posts.

Where fields show

Location rules cover post types, page templates, post status, post format, post terms, taxonomies, user roles, user forms, options pages, comments, attachments, menus, menu items, widgets, blocks, and WooCommerce product types and variations. Combine rules with "and" and "or". Boxes show or hide as soon as an editor picks another template, format or term, without saving first.

Conditional logic shows a field only when other fields have certain values.

Content modeling

• Post types and taxonomies made in the admin, with every WordPress setting available. Labels fill in from the singular and plural names.
• Options pages, made in the admin or with one function call.
• Connections: link posts, terms and users both ways, such as books and their authors. One to one, one to many or many to many, with a box on each side. Links live in their own indexed table.

Show your values anywhere

• Template functions: cfmb_get_field(), cfmb_the_field(), cfmb_have_rows() and friends.
• Field Blocks: turn a field group into a block. Editors fill it in the sidebar or right in the block, and a PHP template in your theme renders it. Inner blocks, colors, spacing and styles work like core blocks.
• Block Bindings: show a field in a paragraph, heading, button or image block, without code.
• The [cfmb field="price"] shortcode, which you can turn off.
• Page builders: CFMB fields in the dynamic data of Elementor, Divi 4 and 5, Bricks, Beaver Builder with Beaver Themer, Breakdance, Oxygen 6 and Oxygen Classic. A Field Loop repeats a template for each Repeater or Stacks row, gallery image, linked post or connected item.
• REST API and WPGraphQL fields, opt-in per field group.
• Columns, sorting and filters for any field on post, term and user lists.

Only values a visitor may already see are shown. Nothing comes from drafts, private or password-protected posts, password fields, or other people's profiles.

Works with

• WPML and Polylang: per-field translation settings (translate, copy, copy once or ignore). Copied images, posts and terms point at their translations.
• Yoast SEO and Rank Math: text, rich text and image fields count in their content analysis.
• WooCommerce: fields on products and on each variation, and a tab in the Product data box.
• The block editor and the classic editor.

For developers and teams

• Schema Sync: field groups, post types, taxonomies and options pages are also saved as JSON files you can keep in version control. Changes made in the files show up for review, with a side-by-side merge when both sides changed.
• Register any of them in code with cfmb_register_group(), or export PHP from CFMB > Sync.
• WP-CLI: wp cfmb sync, export, import, group, field, doctor and switch.
• Documented hooks for every step, all under cfmb/.

Switching from ACF or Secure Custom Fields

The Switch Assistant brings field groups, post types, taxonomies, options pages and values over from ACF or Secure Custom Fields. It keeps a copy of every value it changes, so "Undo import" puts everything back exactly as it was.

Does your theme call get_field() and have_rows()? Install the separate CFMB Compatibility Mode plugin and those calls keep working while you update your templates.

Free and complete

Nothing in CFMB is locked, limited or time-limited. CFMB Pro is a separate plugin with new features, such as typed table storage, safe field renames, field history and front-end forms. It never unlocks code inside this plugin.

Privacy and outside services

CFMB does not track you and sends nothing anywhere on its own. These features contact outside services from the editor's browser, and only after you turn them on:

• Map fields with OpenStreetMap, chosen under CFMB > Settings or on a field. Map tiles load from tile.openstreetmap.org. Address search, and the address for a placed pin, come from nominatim.openstreetmap.org. See the OpenStreetMap privacy policy and tile usage policy.
• Map fields with Google Maps and your own API key. The map, address search and the address for a placed pin load from maps.googleapis.com. See the Google privacy policy and the Google Maps terms.
• oEmbed fields use WordPress's own embed feature, which asks the linked site (such as YouTube) for the embed.

No map service is chosen by default. In that case map fields show plain address and coordinate inputs, and nothing loads from outside.

Source code

The full JavaScript and SCSS source is in the assets/src folder, and the build folder holds the compiled files. The repository is at github.com/mozi2wp/cfmb. To rebuild, run npm install and npm run build.

Third-party code

• Leaflet 1.9.4, BSD-2-Clause, for OpenStreetMap maps (bundled in build/map.js).
• svg-sanitizer 0.20.0 by Daryll Doyle, GPL-2.0-or-later, for cleaning SVG uploads (in vendor-prefixed, under the CFMB\Vendor namespace).
• WordPress icons (@wordpress/icons), GPL-2.0-or-later, for the admin screens and the Icon field.
• Font Awesome Free icons by Fonticons, Inc., CC BY 4.0, bundled as SVG in assets/icons/fontawesome.json for the Icon field (see assets/icons/fontawesome-LICENSE.txt). No font files or CDN are loaded.

Installation

1. Install and activate CFMB from Plugins > Add New.
2. Go to CFMB > Field Groups and click "Add field group".
3. Add your fields, choose where they show under Location, and save.
4. Open a matching edit screen to fill in the fields.

To show a value in your theme:

<?php cfmb_the_field( 'subtitle' ); ?>

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are my values saved?

In the normal WordPress meta tables, under the field name, for example price.

• Values inside a Group or a row get their own keys too: hero_title, items_0_title. A Repeater saves its row count, and a Stacks field saves each row's layout name, so meta_query can find posts that use a layout.
• Links and maps save each part on its own (cta_url, loc_lat, loc_lng).
• Dates are saved as 2026-10-15, times as 14:30:00 and date-times as 2026-10-15 14:30:00, so they sort and compare correctly.
• Lists, such as checked boxes, are saved as one meta row per item, so meta_query matches one item without slow LIKE searches.
• Options page values are saved as cfmb_{page}_{field} options and widget values as cfmb_widget_{widget id}_{field}. Neither is autoloaded.
• Comment values are comment meta. Menu item and attachment values are post meta. Menu values are term meta.
• Field groups and other definitions are JSON in private post types, and one query loads them all.
• Connection links are rows in the {prefix}cfmb_connections table, indexed both ways.

How do I show values in my theme?

<?php $price = cfmb_get_field( 'price' ); ?>

Loop over a Repeater or Stacks field:

<?php while ( cfmb_have_rows( 'sections' ) ) : cfmb_the_row(); ?> <?php if ( 'hero' === cfmb_get_row_layout() ) { cfmb_the_sub_field( 'heading' ); } ?> <?php endwhile; ?>

Values from terms, users, comments, widgets and options pages:

cfmb_get_field( 'color', 'term_12' ); cfmb_get_field( 'twitter', 'user_3' ); cfmb_get_field( 'rating', 'comment_5' ); cfmb_get_field( 'accent', 'widget:text-3' ); cfmb_get_field( 'phone', 'option' );

How do I make a Field Block?

Open a field group, turn on "Use as a Field Block" and give the block a name, for example hero. Then add a template to your theme at cfmb-blocks/hero.php:

<section <?php echo cfmb_block_wrapper_attributes(); ?>> <h2><?php cfmb_the_field( 'heading' ); ?></h2> <InnerBlocks /> </section>

Inside the template, cfmb_get_field() reads the block's own values. Pass get_the_ID() to read the post instead. The template also gets $block, $fields, $content, $is_preview, $post_id and $context. Put hero.css and hero.js next to it and they load only on pages that use the block.

Block values are saved inside the block, so the same block can appear many times with different values. They can't be searched with meta_query.

My Field Block shows "Template missing".

Add the template file named in the message to your theme, or set its path under "More settings" in the field group's Field Block settings. CFMB only loads templates from your theme, the plugins folder, or a folder added with the cfmb/blocks/template_paths filter. wp cfmb doctor lists blocks without a template.

How do Block Bindings and the shortcode pick the object?

Both read the current post by default (the post in a Query Loop). The shortcode's object attribute can also be term (the archive's term), author (the post's author), user (the logged-in visitor), option or option:{page}, or one object like post_12, term_12 or user_3.

[cfmb field="logo" object="option:site_settings" size="medium"]

Repeater, Group and Stacks values don't show this way. Use a Field Loop in a page builder, or cfmb_have_rows() in a template.

Can authors print any field with the shortcode?

Only fields of things visitors can already see: published posts of public post types, public taxonomies, options pages, and their own or the post author's user fields. Password fields never show. Keep secrets such as API keys in a Password field, or turn the shortcode off under CFMB > Settings > Display.

How do page builder tags work?

Elementor gets a "CFMB" group of dynamic tags: Field, URL, Image, Gallery, Number, Color and Date. Divi gets CFMB Field, Date, URL and Image entries. Bricks gets {cfmb_…} tags such as {cfmb_price} or {cfmb_items.title} inside a loop, and every loopable field is a Bricks query type. Beaver Themer gets field connections. Breakdance and Oxygen 6 list every field under "CFMB" in their dynamic data. Oxygen Classic gets CFMB Field, URL and Image.

Each tag has a "Read from" setting: current post, archive term, post author, logged-in user, an options page, or one post, term or user.

Which page builder versions work?

Elementor 3.5 or later (free or Pro), Divi 4 and Divi 5, Bricks 1.9 or later, Beaver Builder 2.5 or later (field connections need Beaver Themer), Breakdance 2 or later, Oxygen 6, and Oxygen Classic 4. Each integration loads only when its builder is active.

Can a Field Loop show its own template inside itself?

No. A template that is the page being edited is skipped, and loops stop after eight levels of nesting.

How do I use Connections in code?

foreach ( cfmb_get_connected( 'book_authors' ) as $author ) { echo esc_html( $author->display_name ); }

new WP_Query( array( 'post_type' => 'book', 'cfmb_connected' => array( 'connection' => 'book_authors', 'object' => 'user_3' ) ) );

cfmb_connect() and cfmb_disconnect() change links in code. Results only include items the visitor may see.

What happens to Connection links when I delete a post?

The links stay in the table, but deleted, draft and private items never show on the site or in the REST API.

How does Schema Sync work?

Each time you save a field group, post type, taxonomy or options page, CFMB writes it to wp-content/uploads/cfmb-json/{key}.json. Commit that file, or copy it into a cfmb-json folder in your theme, and deploy it. On the other site, CFMB > Sync shows what changed. Pull a newer file into the database, write a newer database copy to its file, or review a side-by-side diff when both changed. A file changed outside CFMB is never overwritten on save.

The folder gets an .htaccess file so Apache doesn't serve it. On nginx, block /wp-content/uploads/cfmb-json/ in the server settings.

How do Presets work?

Build a field group with the fields you want to reuse, and turn on "Use only as a preset" so it doesn't show on its own. In another group, add a Preset field and pick that group. Its fields appear in place and stay in sync. With prefixed names, values are saved as {preset name}_{field name}, so the same preset can be used twice.

Can I rename a field?

Yes. Each field has a fixed key, so renaming it is safe for the field group. Values already saved under the old name stay under the old name.

Can I rename a post type or taxonomy?

Yes. CFMB asks whether to move existing posts or terms to the new key, and points location rules at the new key either way.

What happens to blocks if I rename a Field Block?

Blocks already in your content keep the old name, so the editor no longer recognizes them. The field group editor warns you before you save. Change the name back and they work again.

Can I undo the Switch Assistant?

Yes. "Undo import" puts every value it changed back exactly as ACF saved it, and moves the field groups, post types, taxonomies and options pages it made to the trash. On large sites use wp cfmb switch run.

Where did Compatibility Mode go?

It is now its own plugin, CFMB Compatibility Mode. It defines get_field() and the other ACF function names, so it stays out of CFMB unless you install it.

Do my translations keep their own values?

Yes, for fields set to Translate or Copy once. Fields set to Copy stay the same in every language. Options pages keep one value per language for translated fields. Switch the language in the admin bar to edit another one.

Why does a field group appear only after I pick a template or category?

A group whose rules depend on the template, post format, status, terms or product type waits hidden on the edit screen. It appears as soon as the form matches its rules, and it is saved only if it still matches when you save.

Why can I save a draft with an empty required field?

Drafts are work in progress. Required fields must be filled in before a post is published.

Can I upload SVG icons?

Yes, after you turn on "Allow SVG files in the media library" under CFMB > Settings. It is off by default. Every SVG is cleaned on upload: scripts, event handlers and outside references are removed, and files that can't be cleaned are refused.

Can I edit widget or menu item fields in the Customizer?

No. The Customizer previews changes before you publish, while CFMB saves values right away. The Customizer links to the Widgets or Menus screen, where those fields are edited.

What happens to my content if I delete CFMB?

Values on your posts, terms and users, and Connection links, are always kept. Field groups, other definitions, Switch Assistant backups and settings are removed only if you turn on "Delete field groups and CFMB settings" under CFMB > Settings.

Who can manage field groups?

Administrators, through the manage_options capability. Change it with the cfmb/admin/capability filter.

Screenshots

1. Field groups at a glance, with where each one shows and how many fields it has.
2. The field group editor: drag fields into order and open one to change its settings.
3. Location rules, combined with "and" and "or".
4. Fields on the post edit screen, with tabs.
5. Settings, each section on its own card.
6. Schema Sync shows whether the database and your JSON files match.
7. Post types made in the admin, with every WordPress setting.

Changelog

1.0.0

• First release on WordPress.org.
• New name: "CFMB - Custom Fields Meta Box", slug custom-fields-meta-box. The cfmb_ functions, cfmb/ hooks, options and tables are unchanged.
• Compatibility Mode moved into its own plugin, CFMB Compatibility Mode.
• Admin screens: icons from the WordPress icon set, a type icon on each field row, colours that follow the admin colour scheme, and settings on cards.
• Date fields show the saved date in every time zone, instead of the day before for editors east of the site's time zone.
• Font Awesome Free 6.6 and later work in the Icon field.
• Database queries name tables and columns through %i placeholders.
• Release builds ship only the production autoloader.

Upgrade Notice

1.0.0

First release on WordPress.org. If you used Compatibility Mode, install the CFMB Compatibility Mode plugin.