DjangoCMS is a powerful content management system that allows developers to create custom plugins for adding dynamic features to their websites. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of building a custom DjangoCMS plugin to enhance your website’s functionality.

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Why Create a Custom Plugin in DjangoCMS?

By default, DjangoCMS provides various built-in plugins, but sometimes you may need custom functionality that is not available out of the box. Creating a custom plugin allows you to:

• Extend DjangoCMS functionality with your unique features.
• Provide custom content blocks for easier editing.
• Optimize performance with tailor-made solutions.

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Step 1: Install DjangoCMS

Before creating a custom plugin, ensure that DjangoCMS is installed. If you haven’t set it up yet, install it using the following command:

bashCopyEditpip install djangocms-installer
djangocms myproject
cd myproject

Once installed, migrate the database and create a superuser:

bashCopyEditpython manage.py migrate
python manage.py createsuperuser
python manage.py runserver

This will launch your DjangoCMS project, allowing you to start creating plugins.

👉 Learn more about DjangoCMS on Wikipedia.

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Step 2: Create a New Plugin App

To create a custom plugin, first, generate a new Django app inside your project:

bashCopyEditpython manage.py startapp myplugin

Now, register the new app inside INSTALLED_APPS in your settings.py file:

pythonCopyEditINSTALLED_APPS = [
    ...
    'myplugin',
    'cms',
    'menus',
]

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Step 3: Define the Plugin Model

Inside the models.py file of your new app, define your plugin model:

pythonCopyEditfrom django.db import models
from cms.models.pluginmodel import CMSPlugin

class MyCustomPlugin(CMSPlugin):
    title = models.CharField(max_length=255, default="Custom Title")
    content = models.TextField()

Run the following commands to apply migrations:

bashCopyEditpython manage.py makemigrations myplugin
python manage.py migrate myplugin

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Step 4: Create the Plugin Class

Now, create a cms_plugins.py file inside your myplugin folder and define your plugin:

pythonCopyEditfrom cms.plugin_base import CMSPluginBase
from cms.plugin_pool import plugin_pool
from .models import MyCustomPlugin
from django.utils.translation import ugettext_lazy as _

@plugin_pool.register_plugin
class MyPlugin(CMSPluginBase):
    model = MyCustomPlugin
    name = _("My Custom Plugin")
    render_template = "myplugin/plugin_template.html"

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Step 5: Create the Plugin Template

Inside your myplugin/templates/myplugin/ directory, create a file called plugin_template.html and add the following content:

htmlCopyEdit<div class="custom-plugin">
    <h2>{{ instance.title }}</h2>
    <p>{{ instance.content }}</p>
</div>

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Step 6: Register the Plugin in DjangoCMS

Restart the development server:

bashCopyEditpython manage.py runserver

Now, go to the DjangoCMS admin panel and add your custom plugin to any page using the CMS interface. 🎉

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Final Thoughts: Need Help with DjangoCMS Plugins?

Creating a custom plugin in DjangoCMS allows you to add unique features to your website. However, if you find the process too complex or need a custom solution tailored to your needs, I can help! I offer professional DjangoCMS development services to ensure your website is built efficiently. Contact me today to get started!