DIRSCHL Reference Hub – Automatically collect and effectively showcase your references.

One database instead of many manually maintained galleries

Scattered project pages become a vibrant Reference Hub.

References are often spread across multiple websites, subpages, project post types, and feeds. DIRSCHL Reference Hub brings this content together, eliminating the need to maintain each card twice. The original page remains the link target; WordPress additionally manages a compact Reference Item for search, filters, order, and editorial control.

The Process in Practice

Define source, synchronize, review, publish.

1. Create groups: e.g., projects, photovoltaics, architecture, or client testimonials.
2. Define sources: local WordPress paths or external sitemap, feed, and URL sources.
3. Synchronize: the plugin creates or updates normalized Reference Items.
4. Curate: Review title, description, image, date, group, and link target; lock important fields.
5. Publish: insert gallery shortcode into Gutenberg, Divi, Elementor, or a template.

The Essential Quick Start

Set up your first local reference gallery in the WordPress dashboard.

For an initial test, you do not need an external sitemap. Create a group and import an existing page section. The following example includes all published subpages under /referenzen/ and assigns them to the projekte group.

1. References → Ref Items → Groups: Create Group Projects with the slug projekte.
2. Open References → Local and completely replace the existing JSON configuration with the example below.
3. Important: path is the WordPress page path without the domain and without a leading or trailing slash – not a server or folder path.
4. Click Format. If the structure remains readable, then Save.
5. Open References → Ref Hub and first start the Batch Sync.
6. Check the generated entries under References → Ref Items.
7. Insert the gallery shortcode on a page.

{
  "parents": [],
  "include_projects": false,
  "local_paths": [
    {
      "path": "referenzen",
      "group": "projekte",
      "include_parent": false,
      "include_children": true,
      "only_direct_children": false,
      "exclude_children": []
    }
  ]
}

The Corresponding Gallery Shortcode

[ref_gallery view="cards" group="projekte" search="1" filters="1"]

Replace referenzen with the actual page path and projekte with the exact group slug of your installation.

Understanding Local JSON Configuration

The local configuration is a JSON object. Commas, double quotes, and true/false must be exact. For new setups, we recommend using local_paths because it clearly defines the group, depth, and exclusions for each area.

Practical Example: Nested Pages, Divi Projects, and Posts

This example imports subpages from /leistungen/referenzen/, excludes drafts, includes published Divi projects, and adds posts under the URL prefix /blog/. Create the groups kundenprojekte and fachartikel before syncing.

{
  "parents": [],
  "include_projects": true,
  "local_paths": [
    {
      "path": "leistungen/referenzen",
      "group": "kundenprojekte",
      "include_children": true,
      "only_direct_children": false,
      "exclude_children": ["entwurf-*", "intern"]
    },
    {
      "path": "blog",
      "group": "fachartikel",
      "include_parent": false,
      "include_children": false,
      "include_posts": true,
      "post_types": ["post"]
    }
  ]
}

External Sources: Sitemap, Feed, or Fixed URL List

Under References → Sources, the plugin always expects a JSON array – even if only one source is present. Each source receives a mode, a URL or URL list, and a group slug. respect_canonical ensures that canonical URLs are considered.

Avoid Errors

• Create group slugs first, then use them exactly in the JSON.
• An HTML overview page is not an XML sitemap; use the 'list' mode for it.
• For large sitemap indexes, use batch sync first instead of full sync.
• Use include_regex and exclude_regex to include only desired language or content areas.
• Independently check external retrieval rights, data protection, copyright, and update intervals.

Gallery Shortcodes for Gutenberg, Divi, and Elementor

The standard shortcode provides search, filters, and responsive cards. For large catalogs, per_page="0" starts with 20 entries and loads more via infinite scroll; a positive number instead uses a controlled 'Load More' button.

Additional Attributes: group, view, search, filters, per_page, target, lang and sort (date, number, abc).

The plugin is live on dirschl.com

Test the Reference Hub with real references.

The preview shows six real Reference Items. The complete demo at /hub/ offers search, group filters, and the entire catalog.

Open Full Live Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know how to write JSON?

No. You copy a valid example and only change the path, group, and desired options. The Format button helps to immediately highlight syntax errors.

What is the difference between Sources and Local?

Sources imports external sitemaps, RSS feeds, and URL lists. Local reads published content from the same WordPress installation based on its page paths or post types.

What do I enter for "path"?

The WordPress permalink path without domain and slashes, for example, "references" or "company/projects". It is not a server folder.

Will my original pages be changed?

No. The plugin creates its own reference items for the gallery and links from there to the respective original page.

Does a sync overwrite manual changes?

Source-controlled fields can be updated. For editorially optimized entries or fields, set an import lock and use revisions before major changes.

Does the Hub work with Divi and Gutenberg?

Yes. The output is via shortcode and works in Gutenberg shortcode blocks, Divi code or text modules, Elementor, and classic templates.

Does the plugin require external services?

For local content, no. External sitemap, feed, or URL sources are retrieved server-side from the addresses you configure.

Is DIRSCHL Reference Hub really free?

Yes. The plugin does not require a DIRSCHL license and can be used and adapted under GPL-2.0-or-later.

Your best projects deserve more than a static subpage.

Build a searchable content hub from your references.

Install DIRSCHL Reference Hub for free, start with a local page path, and then expand the catalog with sitemaps, feeds, or additional websites.

Download Reference HubOpen Live DemoInstallation via DIRSCHL Hub

100% Free & Open Source

DIRSCHL Reference Hub can be used, reviewed, customized, and further developed for your own projects under the terms of the GPL-2.0-or-later. There are no paid feature locks, and no DIRSCHL account is required.

Developed by Johann Dirschl. Would you like to develop your own WordPress plugins with Cursor AI or Codex, or automate workflows? The DIRSCHL Academy offers B2B training for AI-assisted Development and WordPress Automation.

Download Free PluginInstall in DIRSCHL HubDIRSCHL Academy