> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.themeupstudio.com/crimson/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.themeupstudio.com/crimson/custom-settings/homepage-settings.md).

# Homepage Settings

Crimson’s **Homepage settings** control what your visitors see **above the fold** (hero area) and how your **tag-based homepage sections** are laid out further down the page.

#### Where to find these settings

In Ghost Admin, go to:

**Settings → Design & Branding → (***Click) **Customize***** → (***Click) **Theme tab***** → (***Scroll down to see)* **Homepage**

<figure><img src="/files/pUIQNuM6kyP7xZ7Dldfv" alt=""><figcaption><p>Homepage settings in Ghost Admin</p></figcaption></figure>

***

### Show carousel

#### What it does

When enabled, Crimson shows a **carousel slider** at the top of the homepage hero area.

<figure><img src="/files/kp9n3jTI3wSlp9ldXrf5" alt=""><figcaption><p>Show carousel</p></figcaption></figure>

#### What the carousel displays

* It displays **up to 3 posts** in a sliding carousel.
* The source of these posts is controlled by the next setting: [**Carousel slider posts**](#carousel-slider-posts).

#### When you should enable it

Enable the carousel if you want a highly visual “featured story” experience, for example:

* a magazine/news homepage
* a blog that wants to highlight important content
* a membership site showcasing premium/high-converting posts

#### Best practices

* Use posts with strong **featured images** and clear titles (carousel is very visual).
* Keep your top 3 carousel posts “fresh” (update featured posts occasionally if you use Featured source).

***

### Carousel slider posts

{% hint style="danger" %}
This setting is visible only if [Show carousel](#show-carousel) is enabled.
{% endhint %}

#### What it does

This setting decides **which posts** Crimson pulls into the carousel (maximum 3):

**Possible values**

* **Featured Posts**
* **Latest Posts**

<figure><img src="/files/rdgt1hvKLen1mk7dsAMx" alt=""><figcaption><p>Carousel slider posts</p></figcaption></figure>

#### Option A: Featured Posts

Crimson shows the **latest 3 posts that are marked as Featured**.

**How to mark a post as Featured in Ghost**

1. Open the post in Ghost Editor
2. Open **Post settings** (right sidebar)
3. Toggle **Featured post** on

**When to use Featured Posts**

* You want editorial control (you decide what appears)
* You want the carousel to remain stable until you change it

#### Option B: Latest Posts

Crimson shows the **latest 3 posts** by publish date (*latest first*).

**When to use Latest Posts**

* You publish frequently and want the homepage to update automatically
* You don’t want to manually curate “Featured” content

***

### Show 3 column hero

#### What it does

When enabled, Crimson shows a **3-column hero section** on the homepage (after the carousel if the carousel is enabled).

<figure><img src="/files/9kKwxT5XDXBDDvWnaXk7" alt=""><figcaption><p>Show 3 column hero</p></figcaption></figure>

#### Why this section is useful

It gives you a “magazine-style” layout where:

* **Left column** can highlight multiple posts (Latest/Featured)
* **Center column** can spotlight one key post
* **Right column** can act like a category feed (Latest/Featured/Tag)

#### What enabling it unlocks

When you toggle this ON, additional settings appear to control each column:

* [Hero center column posts](#hero-center-column-posts)
* [Hero left column posts](#hero-left-column-posts)
* [Hero right column posts](#hero-right-column-posts)

***

### Hero center column posts

{% hint style="danger" %}
This setting is visible only if [Show 3 column hero](#show-3-column-hero) is enabled.
{% endhint %}

#### What it does

Controls what appears in the **center column** (maximum **1 post**).

<figure><img src="/files/a86c7xWBlQJXW66wSNVe" alt=""><figcaption><p>Hero center column posts</p></figcaption></figure>

**Possible values**

* **Featured Posts**
* **Latest Posts**

#### How to choose

* **Featured Posts**: best if you want a “main story” that you curate.
* **Latest Posts**: best if you want the center to always show your freshest content.

#### Recommended usage

Use the center column for something that should feel “primary”:

* your most important featured post
* a weekly spotlight
* a high-converting membership post
* or the latest and most recent news article

***

### Hero left column posts

{% hint style="danger" %}
This setting is visible only if [Show 3 column hero](#show-3-column-hero) is enabled.
{% endhint %}

#### What it does

Controls what appears in the **left column** (maximum **3 posts**).

<figure><img src="/files/txjsY5nnACrQ2roGPOXN" alt=""><figcaption><p>Hero left column posts</p></figcaption></figure>

**Possible values**

* **Featured Posts**
* **Latest Posts**

#### How to choose

* **Latest Posts** works well here because the left column can act like a quick “recent feed”.
* **Featured Posts** works if you want a fully curated hero area.

***

### Hero right column posts

{% hint style="danger" %}
This setting is visible only if [Show 3 column hero](#show-3-column-hero) is enabled.
{% endhint %}

#### What it does

Controls what appears in the **right column** (maximum **6 posts**).

<figure><img src="/files/BR0dFXqdlmRSqzZjwrJ2" alt=""><figcaption><p>Hero right column posts</p></figcaption></figure>

**Possible values**

* **Featured Posts**
* **Latest Posts**
* **Tag**

#### Special behavior: Column heading changes

Crimson updates the column heading based on the selection:

* Latest → heading becomes **Latest**
* Featured → heading becomes **Featured**
* Tag → heading becomes the **Tag name**

#### When to use each option

* **Latest Posts**: “live feed” feel (great for frequently updated blogs)
* **Featured Posts**: curated list of top content
* **Tag**: best for creating a dedicated “category rail” like *News*, *Business*, *Tutorials*, etc.

***

### Hero right column posts tag slug

{% hint style="danger" %}
This setting is visible only if the selected value in [Hero right column posts](#hero-right-column-posts) setting is '**Tag'**.
{% endhint %}

#### What it does

If you select **Tag** for the right column, this field tells Crimson **which tag** to pull posts from.

<figure><img src="/files/gRITzaMHxHJA1HPA1rlK" alt=""><figcaption><p>Hero right column posts tag slug</p></figcaption></figure>

#### How to fill it

* Enter **one tag slug only** (example: `news`)
* Not the tag name (example: “News”), but the **slug** used in the URL.

#### How to find a tag slug in Ghost

1. Go to **Tags** in Ghost Admin
2. Open the tag
3. Copy the **Slug** field (*see the image below*)

<figure><img src="/files/Yly5nWYm2uTTrYPQfAbF" alt=""><figcaption><p>Copy the tag's slug</p></figcaption></figure>

#### Best practices

* Choose a tag that has enough posts (so the column can fill up to 6 posts).

***

### Tag slugs to show on home

#### What it does

Crimson can automatically create **homepage tag sections** further down the homepage, based on tag slugs you provide. Add only comma-separated tag slugs, ideally about 7 slugs.

<figure><img src="/files/fkJ9aTyPbD4j3gQitaly" alt=""><figcaption><p>Tag slugs to show on home</p></figcaption></figure>

In the demo, we have: `politics,science,elections,wars,hollywood,business,sports`

#### Best practices (so sections look good)

* Use tags that behave like **categories** (broad topics).
* Ensure each tag has:
  * enough posts
  * good featured images
  * a clear, consistent topic
* Keep it around **4–7 tags** so the homepage doesn’t become too long.

***

### Home tag section layout

#### What it does

Controls how each tag section’s **4 post cards** are arranged visually.

Crimson provides **three layout styles** for these homepage tag sections.

<figure><img src="/files/Q78UKYXS7liGdwDDtsBv" alt=""><figcaption><p>Home tag section layout</p></figcaption></figure>

**Possible layouts**

1. **One row (1|1|1|1)** – four cards in a single row\
   E.g. <https://crimson.themeupstudio.com/home-tag-layout-row/>\ <br>

   <figure><img src="/files/uV8aFAVGxAzF0jUYml8w" alt=""><figcaption><p>One row with 4 post cards in 1|1|1|1 format</p></figcaption></figure>
2. **Two columns (1|3)** (*Default*)– one card on the left + three on the right\
   E.g. <https://crimson.themeupstudio.com/home-tag-layout-1-3/>\ <br>

   <figure><img src="/files/Y7B9O8mByLqFNTa0hqZ6" alt=""><figcaption><p>Two columns with 4 post cards in 1|3 format</p></figcaption></figure>
3. **Two rows (2|2)** – two cards on top + two on bottom\
   E.g. <https://crimson.themeupstudio.com/home-tag-layout-2-2/><br>

   <figure><img src="/files/aUGBm7t9cTAKRJzAosfu" alt=""><figcaption><p>Two rows with 4 post cards in 2|2 format</p></figcaption></figure>

#### How to choose the right layout

* **1|1|1|1**: clean and uniform; best for minimal designs
* **1|3**: best for highlighting one “top” post per tag (the left card feels primary)
* **2|2**: balanced grid; great for consistency and readability