Content Types Guide

How Content Types Work

Every content type in Ink follows the same pattern: Markdown files in a directory, collected by a tag, sorted by a field, and rendered with a layout. The contentTypes.json file in src/_data/ drives this system automatically -- no manual Eleventy collection code required.

When you run ink add blog, the CLI:

1. Creates the content/blog/ directory
2. Adds a blog.json directory data file (sets the layout, tag, and defaults)
3. Installs the layout (src/_layouts/post.njk) and any includes
4. Registers the collection in contentTypes.json

The Collection Factory

The contentTypes.json file maps tag names to glob patterns and sort orders:

{
  "posts": {
    "glob": "content/blog/*.md",
    "sort": "date"
  },
  "services": {
    "glob": "content/services/*.md",
    "sort": "order"
  }
}

In eleventy.config.js, a factory function reads this file and creates an Eleventy collection for each entry. Content sorted by date is ordered newest-first. Content sorted by order uses the numeric order field in frontmatter.

Built-in Content Types

Blog (blog)

Date-sorted blog posts. Supports featured images, categories, and author attribution.

Field	Directory	Tag	Sort	Layout
blog	content/blog/	posts	date	post.njk

---
title: "How We Redesigned Our Workflow"
slug: "redesigned-workflow"
excerpt: "A look at the tools and processes that transformed our team."
date: 2025-03-15
published: true
image: "/media/blog/redesigned-workflow.jpg"
permalink: "/blog/redesigned-workflow/"
---

Services (services)

Order-sorted service offerings with icons and call-to-action links.

Field	Directory	Tag	Sort	Layout
services	content/services/	services	order	service.njk

---
title: "Web Development"
slug: "web-development"
excerpt: "Custom websites built for performance and accessibility."
order: 1
published: true
icon: "code"
permalink: "/services/web-development/"
---

Team (team)

Team member profiles sorted by display order.

Field	Directory	Tag	Sort	Layout
team	content/employees/	employees	order	employee.njk

---
title: "Jane Smith"
slug: "jane-smith"
excerpt: "Lead Designer"
order: 1
published: true
role: "Lead Designer"
image: "/media/employees/jane-smith.jpg"
permalink: "/team/jane-smith/"
---

Docs (docs)

Documentation pages sorted by order, like the page you're reading now.

Field	Directory	Tag	Sort	Layout
docs	content/docs/	docs	order	doc.njk

---
title: "Getting Started"
slug: "getting-started"
excerpt: "Install Ink and create your first project."
order: 1
published: true
permalink: "/docs/getting-started/"
---

Features (features)

Feature highlights for product or service pages.

Field	Directory	Tag	Sort	Layout
features	content/features/	features	order	feature.njk

---
title: "Lightning Fast Builds"
slug: "fast-builds"
excerpt: "Eleventy generates your entire site in under a second."
order: 1
published: true
icon: "zap"
permalink: "/features/fast-builds/"
---

Service Areas (service-areas)

Geographic or topical service areas, useful for local SEO.

Field	Directory	Tag	Sort	Layout
service-areas	content/service-areas/	serviceAreas	order	service-area.njk

---
title: "Austin, TX"
slug: "austin-tx"
excerpt: "Serving the greater Austin metropolitan area."
order: 1
published: true
permalink: "/service-areas/austin-tx/"
---

Portfolio (portfolio)

Date-sorted project showcases with images and client details.

Field	Directory	Tag	Sort	Layout
portfolio	content/portfolio/	projects	date	project.njk

---
title: "Acme Corp Rebrand"
slug: "acme-corp-rebrand"
excerpt: "A complete visual identity overhaul for a Fortune 500 client."
date: 2025-01-20
published: true
image: "/media/portfolio/acme-corp.jpg"
client: "Acme Corp"
permalink: "/portfolio/acme-corp-rebrand/"
---

FAQ (faq)

Frequently asked questions sorted by display order.

Field	Directory	Tag	Sort	Layout
faq	content/faq/	faqs	order	faq.njk

---
title: "Do you offer ongoing support?"
slug: "ongoing-support"
excerpt: "Yes -- all plans include 30 days of post-launch support."
order: 1
published: true
permalink: "/faq/ongoing-support/"
---

Creating a Custom Content Type

If the 8 built-in types don't cover your needs, use the interactive wizard:

npx ink add custom

The wizard asks for:

1. Type name -- e.g., "case-studies"
2. Directory -- Where Markdown files will live (e.g., content/case-studies/)
3. Tag name -- The Eleventy collection tag (e.g., caseStudies)
4. Sort field -- date or order
5. Layout name -- The Nunjucks layout file (e.g., case-study.njk)

The CLI creates the directory, layout, directory data file, and registers everything in contentTypes.json. From that point on, every .md file you place in the directory is automatically part of the collection.

Filtering Content

Every content type supports a published field in frontmatter. Set published: false to hide an entry from the built site while keeping it in your content folder. This is useful for drafts or seasonal content.