Axton: A Free Block-based Portfolio Theme with Full-Site Editing Support

Axton is a beautiful new addition to the WordPress Themes Directory from the team at Catch Themes. Those who have been waiting for more full-site editing-enabled themes that go beyond a simple blogging layout should have a look at Axton, as it is suitable for a portfolio, photography showcase, or even a business website.

The theme boasts more than 15 block patterns, 17 full-site editing (FSE) templates, and nine template parts. Users can showcase their work with Header media, Hero Content, and Featured Content patterns anywhere on the site.

The entirety of the theme’s demo site is available in pieces as patterns, so users can drag and drop and mix and match them to suit their needs. Even the style guide can be placed in the content via a pattern. Axton’s header is also available as the “Header with Search Bar” pattern that places the blocks in a pre-designed arrangement that is perfectly responsive on different device sizes.

After activating the theme, the Customize button launches the Site Editor with a homepage that nearly matches the demo so that users don’t have to start from a blank slate.

Some layout options that users might previously have implemented via a page template prior to FSE, are now available as customizable patterns. For example, Axton offers “Blog Sidebar on Left” and “Blog Sidebar on Right” patterns that can be placed within a template and users can easily manipulate the alignments, background color, typography, and more

The “Contact Us” pattern works with the Contact Form 7 plugin. Users are prompted to install it after placing the pattern.

Axton includes 17 full-site editing templates and nine template parts that enable users to quickly make changes to the layouts of the front page, single posts, the blog page, search results, and more. It also includes a Blank template for a clean slate when creating completely custom pages.

Overall, Axton is a beautifully designed theme that gives users a strong starting point for launching a portfolio or business website with more flexibility and template options than most sites will ever need. Catch Themes also has a Pro plugin that includes custom blocks for a Case Study, Popup Video, Tabs, Masonry, Header Search, and a Skills Bar, along with advanced patterns like pricing tables, logo display, and testimonials.

Check out the documentation on the Catch Themes website for a tour of how to use the theme’s features. Axton is available for free from the WordPress Themes Directory. Its release brings the directory’s count of block themes to 94.