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The Generic Directory lane is for custom CPT directories that aren’t MyListing — classifieds, marketplaces, custom builds. It’s a guided lane: you intentionally control mapping, services, and placement.
How it works #
- Provider mapping: Listing Author or Listing Meta Key.
- Services model: Provider Only, Admin Catalog Only, or Hybrid.
- Placement: directory templates, normal pages, shortcode/block only, or CSS selector insertion.
- Dashboards: booking page + dashboard pages (use shortcodes when you don’t have a template hook).
Setup steps #
- Setup Wizard → Generic Directory.
- Pick the listing post type that holds your listings.
- Pick a preset: Provider-Owned Directory, Editorial + Meta Key Directory, or Shared Catalog Directory (see the next article).
- Configure provider mapping. For meta key mode, set the meta key name; for author mode, confirm authors map to providers as expected.
- Pick a services model.
- Choose placement: template insertion, shortcode/block, or CSS selector insertion.
- Run lane diagnostics in System Status before launch.
This is not a universal turnkey adapter #
Generic Directory does not promise zero-config support for every theme on the planet. It works reliably when you’ve made the lane decisions above and confirmed them in System Status. If your theme has unusual single-template structure, you may need shortcode/block placement or CSS selector insertion.
Common pitfalls #
- Listing post type was set to a CPT that has no posts — services list is empty everywhere.
- Meta key mode but the meta is stored under a different key (case-sensitive). Use System Status to verify.
- Theme single template doesn’t match standard WordPress hooks — switch to shortcode/block placement.
Legacy installs #
If you upgraded from an older version that ran in “generic mode,” your install may still run as Generic Directory with a legacy compatibility profile. This stays inside the Generic Directory lane — it’s not a separate site type.
