Multisite Custom Rewrite Urls

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Introduction

In a multisite installation, managing custom rewrite rules can be a complex task, especially when using plugins like Polylang. In this article, we will explore the process of adding custom rewrite rules to a multisite installation running the Polylang plugin. We will cover the basics of multisite URL rewriting, the Polylang plugin, and provide step-by-step instructions on how to add custom rewrite rules.

Understanding Multisite URL Rewriting

In a multisite installation, each site has its own set of rewrite rules. These rules determine how URLs are generated for each site. By default, WordPress uses a set of built-in rewrite rules to generate URLs for posts, pages, and other content types. However, in some cases, you may need to add custom rewrite rules to meet specific requirements.

The Polylang Plugin

The Polylang plugin is a popular plugin for managing multilingual content in WordPress. It allows you to create and manage multiple languages for your site, and provides a range of features for translating content, managing language-specific settings, and more. In this article, we will focus on using the Polylang plugin to manage custom rewrite rules in a multisite installation.

Current Permalink Structure

Your current permalink structure is:

http://host.com/sitename/language/pagename

This structure includes the following components:

  • host.com: The domain name of your site
  • sitename: The name of the site
  • language: The language code (e.g. en, fr, etc.)
  • pagename: The name of the page or post

Adding Custom Rewrite Rules

To add custom rewrite rules to your multisite installation, you will need to use the rewrite hook in WordPress. This hook allows you to modify the rewrite rules for a site, and can be used to add custom rules or modify existing ones.

Step 1: Create a Rewrite Rule

To create a custom rewrite rule, you will need to add a new function to your site's functions.php file. This function will use the rewrite hook to add a new rule to the site's rewrite rules.

function custom_rewrite_rule() {
    add_rewrite_rule(
        '^custom-page/(.*){{content}}#39;,
        'index.php?pagename=custom-page&custom_param=$matches[1]',
        'top'
    );
}
add_action('init', 'custom_rewrite_rule');

In this example, the custom_rewrite_rule function adds a new rewrite rule to the site's rewrite rules. The rule matches URLs that start with custom-page/, and redirects them to the index.php file with the pagename parameter set to custom-page and the custom_param parameter set to the value of the matched URL.

Step 2: Flush the Rewrite Rules

After adding a new rewrite rule, you will need to flush the site's rewrite rules to apply the changes. You can do this by visiting the site's wp-admin page and going to the Settings > Permalinks page. Clicking the Save Changes button will flush the site's rewrite rules and apply the new rule.

Step 3: Test the Rewrite Rule

Once you have added and flushed the rewrite rule, you can test it by visiting the site's URL with the custom parameter. For example, if you added the rule in the previous step, you can visit the URL http://host.com/sitename/en/custom-page/test to see the custom rewrite rule in action.

Conclusion

Adding custom rewrite rules to a multisite installation running the Polylang plugin can be a complex task, but with the right tools and knowledge, it can be done. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can add custom rewrite rules to your site and improve the way URLs are generated for your content.

Common Issues and Solutions

  • Issue: The custom rewrite rule is not being applied.
  • Solution: Make sure that the rewrite hook is being called in the site's functions.php file, and that the rule is being added to the site's rewrite rules.
  • Issue: The custom rewrite rule is being applied, but the URL is not being redirected correctly.
  • Solution: Make sure that the rule is being matched correctly, and that the URL is being redirected to the correct page or post.

Best Practices

  • Use the rewrite hook: The rewrite hook is the best way to add custom rewrite rules to a site.
  • Use the add_rewrite_rule function: The add_rewrite_rule function is the best way to add a new rewrite rule to a site.
  • Flush the rewrite rules: After adding a new rewrite rule, make sure to flush the site's rewrite rules to apply the changes.
  • Test the rewrite rule: Once you have added and flushed the rewrite rule, make sure to test it to ensure that it is working correctly.

Conclusion

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the process of adding custom rewrite rules to a multisite installation running the Polylang plugin. However, we know that there are many questions and concerns that arise when working with custom rewrite rules. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about multisite custom rewrite URLs.

Q: What is the difference between a custom rewrite rule and a custom permalink structure?

A: A custom rewrite rule is a specific rule that is added to the site's rewrite rules to match a specific URL pattern. A custom permalink structure, on the other hand, is a global setting that determines the format of all URLs on the site.

Q: How do I add a custom rewrite rule to my multisite installation?

A: To add a custom rewrite rule to your multisite installation, you will need to use the rewrite hook in WordPress. This hook allows you to modify the rewrite rules for a site, and can be used to add custom rules or modify existing ones.

Q: What is the add_rewrite_rule function, and how do I use it?

A: The add_rewrite_rule function is a WordPress function that allows you to add a new rewrite rule to a site's rewrite rules. To use it, you will need to pass three arguments: the URL pattern to match, the URL to redirect to, and the priority of the rule.

Q: How do I flush the rewrite rules on my multisite installation?

A: To flush the rewrite rules on your multisite installation, you will need to visit the site's wp-admin page and go to the Settings > Permalinks page. Clicking the Save Changes button will flush the site's rewrite rules and apply any new rules.

Q: What is the difference between a top-level rule and a bottom-level rule?

A: A top-level rule is a rule that is applied to the site's root URL, while a bottom-level rule is a rule that is applied to a specific URL pattern. Top-level rules are applied first, and bottom-level rules are applied last.

Q: How do I test a custom rewrite rule on my multisite installation?

A: To test a custom rewrite rule on your multisite installation, you will need to visit the site's URL with the custom parameter. For example, if you added a rule to match the URL custom-page/, you can visit the URL http://host.com/sitename/en/custom-page/test to see the custom rewrite rule in action.

Q: What are some common issues that can arise when working with custom rewrite rules?

A: Some common issues that can arise when working with custom rewrite rules include:

  • The custom rewrite rule is not being applied.
  • The custom rewrite rule is being applied, but the URL is not being redirected correctly.
  • The custom rewrite rule is causing a conflict with another rule.

Q: How do I troubleshoot a custom rewrite rule issue on my multisite installation?

A: To troubleshoot a custom rewrite rule issue on your multisite installation, you will need to:

  • Check the site's rewrite rules to ensure that the custom rule is being applied.
  • Check the site's URL to ensure that it is being redirected correctly.
  • Check the site's error logs to see if there are any errors related to the custom rule.

Conclusion

In conclusion, adding custom rewrite rules to a multisite installation running the Polylang plugin can be a complex task, but with the right tools and knowledge, it can be done. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can add custom rewrite rules to your site and improve the way URLs are generated for your content. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Additional Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q: What is the difference between a custom rewrite rule and a custom permalink structure? A: A custom rewrite rule is a specific rule that is added to the site's rewrite rules to match a specific URL pattern. A custom permalink structure, on the other hand, is a global setting that determines the format of all URLs on the site.
  • Q: How do I add a custom rewrite rule to my multisite installation? A: To add a custom rewrite rule to your multisite installation, you will need to use the rewrite hook in WordPress. This hook allows you to modify the rewrite rules for a site, and can be used to add custom rules or modify existing ones.
  • Q: What is the add_rewrite_rule function, and how do I use it? A: The add_rewrite_rule function is a WordPress function that allows you to add a new rewrite rule to a site's rewrite rules. To use it, you will need to pass three arguments: the URL pattern to match, the URL to redirect to, and the priority of the rule.