# Templates

In HivePress, templates are implemented as PHP classes that define arrays of [blocks](/developer-docs/framework/blocks.md). With blocks, it’s easy to re-use and customize specific layout parts without affecting the whole template. You can always check the available templates in the `includes/templates` subdirectory of HivePress or its extensions.

### Creating templates

If you are developing a custom HivePress [extension](/developer-docs/tutorials/create-a-custom-hivepress-extension.md), you may need to create a new template. To do this, create a new `class-{template-name}.php` file (use lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens only) in the `includes/templates` extension subdirectory and HivePress will load it automatically.

Then, define the template PHP class. The class name should be based on the file name but with underscores instead of hyphens and no lowercase restriction (e.g. `Foo_Bar` class for the `class-foo-bar.php` file). Pick a name that is unique enough to avoid conflicts with other HivePress templates.

```php
<?php
namespace HivePress\Templates;

use HivePress\Helpers as hp;

// Exit if accessed directly.
defined( 'ABSPATH' ) || exit;

class Foo_Bar extends Page_Wide {
	public function __construct( $args = [] ) {
		$args = hp\merge_trees(
			[
				'blocks' => [
					'page_content' => [
						'blocks' => [
							'listing_search_form' => [
								'type'   => 'listing_search_form',
								'_order' => 123,
							],

							'listings'            => [
								'type'    => 'listings',
								'number'  => 9,
								'columns' => 3,
								'_order'  => 321,
							],
						],
					],
				],
			],
			$args
		);

		parent::__construct( $args );
	}
}

```

The code example above implements a template based on the `Page_Wide` template and adds the **Listing Search Form** along with the **Listings** block that displays 9 recent listings in 3 columns. These blocks are added to the `page_content` block inherited from the `Page_Wide` template.

In the same way, you can create custom templates for your HivePress extension.

### Customizing templates

You can customize any of the existing templates using [hooks](https://hivepress.github.io/hook-reference/). For example, the code below changes the number of columns on the **Listings** page to 3.

```php
add_filter(
	'hivepress/v1/templates/listings_view_page',
	function( $template ) {
		return hivepress()->helper->merge_trees(
			$template,
			[
				'blocks' => [
					'listings' => [
						'columns' => 3,
					],
				],
			]
		);
	}
);
```

Similarly, you can customize any template in HivePress or its extensions.


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