TesseNav — Rich Submenus for the Navigation Block

Build mega menus and rich submenus — text, media, columns, and any layout block — inside the WordPress Navigation block.

Description

TesseNav extends the core Navigation block with a Submenu block that can hold any other block: paragraphs, headings, images, columns, groups, lists, buttons — anything in your block library. Build mega menus, product showcases, contact panels, or simple grouped links, all directly inside the Site Editor.

Core capabilities (free)

• Rich submenus. Drop any block inside a TesseNav Submenu — text, media, columns, groups, buttons, lists. Submenus are full layout surfaces, not just link lists.
• Drill-down navigator for mobile. When viewport shrinks below your chosen breakpoint, submenus collapse into a smooth screen-by-screen drill-down overlay with back navigation. No third-party scripts.
• Built for accessibility. Keyboard navigation, focus management, screen-reader-friendly landmarks, ARIA-correct expand/collapse state. The drill-down overlay manages focus traps and aria-hidden automatically.
• First three top-level submenus per Navigation block render on the live site. Editor preview shows the full structure you've built so you can plan and design without limits.
• No calls home. TesseNav never contacts an external server unless you activate a Premium license key. No telemetry, no tracking, no analytics pings.

TesseNav Premium

Premium unlocks unlimited top-level submenus per Navigation block, plus future Premium-only features and direct email support. License keys are validated against Lemon Squeezy. See the Upgrade link inside the editor for current pricing.

Built for the Site Editor

TesseNav is a block-editor plugin. It requires WordPress 6.7+ and works with any block theme. It does not modify the classic Navigation Menus admin screen.

Source code & build tools

TesseNav's editor and front-end assets are compiled from source with @wordpress/scripts (webpack). The complete uncompiled source code and the build tooling are publicly available and maintained at the plugin's development repository: https://github.com/SagirisWebDev/tessenav

Installation

1. Upload the plugin files to the /wp-content/plugins/tessenav-rich-submenus directory, or install through the WordPress plugins screen.
2. Activate the plugin through the Plugins screen in WordPress.
3. Edit any page or template, insert a Navigation block, then insert a TesseNav Submenu inside it.
4. Add any blocks you like inside the submenu — paragraphs, images, columns, anything.

For TesseNav Premium activation:

1. Purchase a license key (Upgrade link in the editor or your Lemon Squeezy email).
2. In WordPress, go to Settings → TesseNav (or Sagiris Premium Blocks → TesseNav if the parent menu is installed).
3. Paste your license key and click Activate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does TesseNav work with my theme?

TesseNav works with any block theme (FSE-compatible). Classic themes that don't support the core Navigation block won't render TesseNav submenus on the frontend, though the editor still works.

Does TesseNav work with classic WordPress menus?

No. TesseNav extends the core Navigation block, not the legacy Appearance → Menus screen. If your site uses classic menus, the easiest path is to add a Navigation block to your header template and rebuild your menu there.

What's the difference between free and Premium?

Free tier renders the first three top-level submenus per Navigation block on the live site. You can still add and edit more submenus in the editor — TesseNav shows you exactly what's gated and provides an upgrade path inline. Premium unlocks unlimited top-level submenus per Navigation block, plus future Premium-only features.

Does TesseNav collect any data?

No. The free tier makes zero external network requests. Premium activation contacts the Lemon Squeezy license API only after you paste a license key — no pings, no telemetry, no analytics.

Can I use the same Premium license on multiple sites?

License activation policy is set per product variant in Lemon Squeezy. Check your purchase confirmation or the Premium license page for activation limits.

Where do I get support?

Free tier: post in the plugin support forum on WordPress.org. Premium: email tiegan@sagirisdev.com for direct support.

Is TesseNav GPL-licensed?

Yes, GPL-2.0-or-later. All PHP, JavaScript, CSS, and bundled assets are GPL-compatible.

Screenshots

1. Outdoor gear mega menu — a Shop submenu opens to a four-column layout with product photography, category headings, and a sale call-to-action.
2. SaaS product matrix — a Products submenu opens to a four-card grid: each card has a heading, tagline, and "Learn more" link.
3. Restaurant mini-page submenu — a Menu submenu opens as a two-column layout combining a food list with prices, a dish photo, and a reservation button.
4. Mobile drill-down navigator — on small viewports, submenus collapse into a screen-by-screen drill-down overlay with focus-managed transitions and back navigation.
5. Editor assembly — a TesseNav Submenu opened mid-build in the Site Editor, showing Columns, Image, and Heading blocks dropped directly inside.

Changelog

0.1.0

Initial release.

• Navigation block extension with TesseNav Submenu allowing any inner blocks.
• Drill-down navigator for mobile breakpoints.
• Free-tier rendering of the first three top-level submenus per Navigation block.
• Premium license activation via Lemon Squeezy.
• Block-editor upsell card with screen-reader announcement on gated submenus.
• Accessibility: focus traps in the mobile overlay, ARIA expanded/collapsed state on submenu toggles.

Upgrade Notice

0.1.0

Initial release of TesseNav.