Simple Post Type Permalinks

What is Simple Post Type Permalinks?

Simple Post Type Permalinks, developed by Toro_Unit (Hiroshi Urabe), is a focused plugin for WordPress that lets you edit the URL structure of custom post types. It has been available for 11 years, making it a mature tool in the ecosystem. The plugin currently shows 9K+ active installs and holds a 5.0/5 rating from 10 ratings — with 100% of those being 0% one-star. The current version is 2.0.5, and it was last updated on Jun 4, 2019. Its core promise is simplicity: it allows you to change the permalink of a custom post type without the complexity of larger permalink managers.

If you need to change the custom post type slug in WordPress, this plugin provides a direct method. It modifies the rewrite rules for any registered custom post type by adding a specific parameter during registration. The developer describes it as "Simple and Smart than Custom Post Type Permalinks," and the lightweight codebase reflects that philosophy. The plugin is also published on GitHub, inviting contributions via pull requests.

Key Features of Simple Post Type Permalinks

• Custom Permalink Structure Tags: Use tags like %post_id%, %postname%, %year%, %monthnum%, %day%, %hour%, %minute%, %second%, and %author% to build your URL patterns.
• Code-Based Configuration: Set the permalink structure directly inside your theme's functions.php or a custom plugin using the sptp_permalink_structure parameter in register_post_type().
• No Settings UI Overload: Instead of a cluttered admin panel, you configure the structure via code, which keeps the plugin footprint minimal and performance-friendly.
• Post ID Support: Unlike some alternatives, this plugin supports %post_id% as a valid tag, letting you create numeric URLs for custom post types.
• Post Name Support: The %postname% tag is available, allowing you to maintain readable, SEO-friendly slugs for your custom post type permalinks.
• Archive Compatibility: Works with custom post types that have has_archive set to true, preserving archive pages while changing individual post URLs.
• Lightweight Requirements: Requires PHP 5.3 or higher and WordPress 4.0+, making it compatible with older server environments and legacy sites.
• Open Source Collaboration: The plugin is hosted on GitHub, allowing developers to fork, modify, and submit improvements directly.

Who Should Use Simple Post Type Permalinks?

This plugin is ideal for developers and site owners who need to change the permalink of a custom post type in WordPress but want minimal overhead. If you are comfortable editing PHP files — specifically your theme's functions.php or a custom plugin — you can configure this tool in minutes. It suits sites running custom post types for portfolios, testimonials, products, or any content that requires a specific URL pattern like foo/%post_id%. With 9K+ active installs, it has a modest but dedicated user base that values precision over automation.

Beginners who prefer a graphical interface may find the code-based setup challenging. However, for anyone who knows how to change custom post type slug WordPress operations via code, this plugin is straightforward. It is also a strong choice for agencies maintaining multiple client sites, as the configuration can be standardized across projects. The 100% five-star rating from 10 reviewers suggests that those who use it find it reliable for its specific purpose.

Installation & Setup

Installation follows the manual method: upload the entire /simple-post-type-permalinks directory to /wp-content/plugins/, then activate it from the Plugins menu. After activation, go to Settings > Permalinks to see the new options, but note that the actual permalink structure is defined in your code. The setup is not beginner-friendly for non-coders, as you must add the sptp_permalink_structure parameter to your custom post type registration array. Once configured, the plugin handles the rewrite rules automatically.

Support & Community

Support data for Simple Post Type Permalinks shows a mixed picture. Over the last 2 months, there have been 0 open threads and 0 resolved threads, resulting in a 0% resolution rate. This could mean that users find the plugin stable enough not to need support, or that the developer is no longer actively monitoring the forums — the last update was Jun 4, 2019. The 100% five-star rating from 10 ratings indicates that existing users are satisfied with the functionality as-is.

If you encounter issues, the GitHub repository offers an alternative channel for bug reports and feature requests. The plugin's FAQ is minimal, listing only two usable tags (%post_id% and %postname%), which contradicts the full list in the description. This discrepancy suggests that some tags may not work as expected, so testing your custom structure is advised. For developers who need to edit permalink for custom post type scenarios without ongoing support, this plugin remains a viable choice.