Wordpress using index.php instead of archive.php

Question

My understanding from reading the WP template hierachy was that when I set my a page as my posts page in settings > reading settings that Wordpress should use archive.php. Instead it uses index.php.

Obviously I could just put my code in index.php and my site will work. But it doesn't seem like best practice, and I can't find any documentation of best (or good) practice.

Why doesn't Wordpress use archive.php in this circumstance?

And would using index.php as my posts page have unintended consequences?

Note: I've been using the _s theme as a base, but I've had the same problem with no theme base or parent.

Did you set a specific page as your front page or a list of recent posts? — janh
– janh, Commented Dec 7, 2017 at 8:19
Yes, I always use a static front page. Does that have an impact? — jay_aye_see_kay
– jay_aye_see_kay, Commented Dec 7, 2017 at 8:28
Yes. archive.php is for listing the archives, not for a single entry. Use single.php (for posts) or page.php (for pages) or single-$posttype.php (for custom post types). You're looking for the Singular Page tree in the template hierarchy. — janh
– janh, Commented Dec 7, 2017 at 8:33

DanijelSVK · Accepted Answer · 2017-12-07 08:46:25Z

8

you want to use home.php instead of archive.php as it is blog posts index page (set in WordPress Settings -> Reading). It is also in hierarchy on the third position from bottom.

answered Dec 7, 2017 at 8:46

DanijelSVK

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2 Comments

jay_aye_see_kay Over a year ago

Cool thanks, that kind of makes sense, because in old school wordpress your most recent posts would've been your home page.

Jake Over a year ago

Further to this you can see the template hierarchy visually here. Look at Blog Posts Index Page as opposed to Archive Page.

Mashiur · Accepted Answer · 2019-04-30 16:28:29Z

2

I was in a similar situation for last 2/3 hours and by changing "Permalink Settings" to "post Name" in wordpress dashboard solved the problem for me.

answered Apr 30, 2019 at 16:28

Mashiur

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