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Search Modal Block

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Search Modal Block

by philhoyt

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Description

The Search Modal Block enhances your WordPress site with a modern, popup search interface that’s both beautiful and functional. Built specifically for the block editor (Gutenberg), it provides a seamless way to add search functionality to any part of your content.

Key Features:

  • Clean, minimal design that works with any theme
  • Fully responsive layout
  • Accessibility-ready with ARIA labels and keyboard navigation
  • Customizable text elements:
    • Search input placeholder
    • Search button text
    • Screen reader labels
  • Focus-visible support for better keyboard navigation
  • Seamless integration with WordPress search

Perfect For:

  • Minimalist themes needing an elegant search solution
  • Sites wanting to improve their search UX
  • Accessibility-focused websites
  • Any WordPress site using the block editor

Development

This block is built using the WordPress Create Block tool, ensuring compatibility with modern WordPress standards and practices. The source code is available in the plugin’s /src directory.

Building from Source

To build the plugin from source:

  1. Clone the repository
  2. Install dependencies with npm install
  3. Run npm run build to build the production files
  4. For development, use npm run start to start the development server

The build process uses @wordpress/scripts to compile and minify the JavaScript and CSS files. The source code for the compiled files in the /build directory can be found in the /src directory.

Development Dependencies

  • @wordpress/scripts: ^32.4.1
  • @wordpress/eslint-plugin: ^25.4.1
  • @wordpress/stylelint-config: ^23.40.1
  • eslint: ^9.39.4

The complete source code is available on GitHub: https://github.com/philhoyt/search-modal-block

Credits

This plugin uses the following third-party libraries:

  • MicroModal – A lightweight, configurable modal library for web applications.
  1. Upload the plugin files to the /wp-content/plugins/ directory, or install the plugin through the WordPress plugins screen directly.
  2. Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ screen in WordPress.
  3. Go to the block editor and search for “Search Modal Block” in the block inserter to add it to your content.
  1. The search modal block in the block editor with customizable settings.

    The search modal block in the block editor with customizable settings.

  2. The search modal displayed on the frontend after being triggered by the search icon.

    The search modal displayed on the frontend after being triggered by the search icon.

How do I customize the search button appearance?

The search button inherits your theme’s colors by default. You can customize its appearance using your theme’s custom CSS or the WordPress site editor.

Love this plugin!

By debbitage on September 12, 2025

It's awesome that it gives you a block for the block editor! It's simple and minimal, which is exactly what I wanted. I did not want one of those big text fields just sitting in my nav bar. The pop-up is perfect, too, taking on your site colors. It was so easy to implement. Thank you!

Lightweight and works great!

By Nagesh Pai (nagpai) on July 23, 2025

I tried this plugin just now for a site that I am building. It does its focused task very well! I wish the function were there in core, but this one fills the gap perfectly! Thanks to the developer for building and sharing this!

Simple straight-forward block, does exactly what I need it to do

By Greg Farries (interstrategy) on June 3, 2025

The block appears to be well coded, and it solves the problem I had perfectly. Developer is also responsive, and I look forward to future versions. Thanks!

1.3.0

  • Changed the search field to type=”search” for the native clear control and more accurate semantics
  • Added block deprecations so blocks added in earlier versions keep working after updating
  • Updated MicroModal to 0.7.0
  • Tested up to WordPress 7.0

1.2.0

  • WordPress 6.9
  • Fixed form action URL to work correctly on subdirectory and multisite installations
  • Improved accessibility with proper ARIA labels and modal title

1.1.0

  • Added ability to upload custom icons for the search button
  • Added icon size controls with preset sizes (S, M, L, XL) and custom size option

1.0.1

  • Include assets for .org
  • Include src for .org

1.0.0

  • Initial release with search modal block functionality
  • Customizable placeholder text, button text, and label text
  • Responsive and accessible design
  • Integration with WordPress search functionality
  • Focus-visible support for enhanced keyboard navigation
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