> 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/homepage/3-column-hero.md).

# 3 Column Hero

The **3-Column Hero** is Crimson’s magazine-style hero area on the homepage. It lets you highlight a curated mix of **Featured**, **Latest**, or **Tag-based** posts across three columns, and can optionally show a **subscribe block** beneath the hero center column.

This section is ideal when you want a “news/magazine” homepage with multiple story entry points instead of a single large hero.

<figure><img src="/files/7vJOhEipSqhZWzXuJY3A" alt=""><figcaption><p>3 Column Hero Areas</p></figcaption></figure>

### What it includes

#### 1) Left column (up to 3 posts)

Displays **up to 3 posts**.

**Source options:**

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

#### 2) Center column (up to 1 post)

Displays **1 prominent hero card** (maximum 1 post).

**Source options:**

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

#### 3) Right column (up to 6 posts)

Displays **up to 6 posts** in a compact list layout.

**Source options:**

* **Featured Posts**
* **Latest Posts**
* **Tag** (posts filtered by a specific tag slug)

#### 4) Subscribe block (below the center column)

If **Ghost Members** is enabled on your site, Crimson shows a subscribe block **below the 3-Column Hero**.

Special behavior:

* If the site is **invite-only**, Crimson shows an **invite-only message** instead of a subscription form.

***

### How to enable/disable the 3-Column Hero

Go to:

**Ghost Admin → Settings → Design & branding → Theme → Homepage** *group*\
(wording may vary slightly by Ghost version)

Look for a toggle similar to:

* **Show 3 column hero**

This controls whether the entire 3-Column Hero is rendered.

<figure><img src="/files/tfnDkfTmkYBeLaUnKj9H" alt=""><figcaption><p>3 Column Hero Settings</p></figcaption></figure>

***

### Configuration options

All controls are in the theme’s **Homepage custom settings**.

#### Show 3 column hero

**`show_3_column_hero`** *(boolean)*

* `true` → show the 3-column hero
* `false` → hide it

***

### Column content sources

#### Hero center column posts

**`hero_center_column_posts`** *(select)*

* Featured Posts
* Latest Posts

**Notes**

* Shows **maximum 1 post**

***

#### Hero left column posts

**`hero_left_column_posts`** *(select)*

* Featured Posts
* Latest Posts

**Notes**

* Shows **maximum 3 posts**

***

#### Hero right column posts

**`hero_right_column_posts`** *(select)*

* Featured Posts
* Latest Posts
* Tag

**Notes**

* Shows **maximum 6 posts**

***

#### Hero right column posts tag slug

{% hint style="warning" %}
This setting is only visible when the 'Hero right column posts' is selected as 'Tag'
{% endhint %}

**`hero_right_column_posts_tag_slug`** *(text)*

* Example: `news`, `design`, `guides`
* Use the **tag slug**, not the display name.
* Use only **1 tag slug**

**Visibility rule**

* This field is only relevant/used when:
  * `hero_right_column_posts = Tag`

***

### Troubleshooting

<details>

<summary>The 3-Column Hero is not showing</summary>

Check:

1. **`show_3_column_hero` is enabled** in theme custom settings
2. You’re using a homepage layout that includes the hero section
3. You didn’t disable it accidentally while testing other hero options

</details>

<details>

<summary>“Featured” columns look empty</summary>

Most common causes:

* You have not marked enough posts as **Featured**
* The featured posts are still **drafts**

Fix:

* Mark at least **3–6 posts** as Featured (so all columns have content)
* Ensure they are **published**

</details>

<details>

<summary>Tag right column shows nothing</summary>

Check:

* `hero_right_column_posts_tag_slug` matches the tag **slug exactly**
  * usually lowercase
  * hyphenated (example: `cloud-security`)
* The tag has **published posts** assigned to it

</details>