Post Layouts

Crimson includes five post layouts (templates) that control two key reading aids:

• TOC (Table of Contents): a generated list of headings that helps readers navigate long articles.

• Sidebar: an additional column area for sticky sidebar subscribe form.

You can set a site-wide default post layout, and you can also override the layout per post from the Ghost editor.

How post layout selection works

A) Site-wide default (recommended)

Set your default once, so every new post uses the same layout unless you override it.

Go to: Settings → Design → Post group → Default post template

Default post template setting

Options:

• With Normal TOC and Sidebar

• With Sticky TOC and No Sidebar

• With Normal TOC and No Sidebar

• With Sticky Sidebar and No TOC

• With No TOC and No Sidebar

How it applies

• This default applies to all posts unless a post explicitly selects a different template.

✅ Best practice

Pick the layout you use most often as your default, then override only special cases:

• very long guides → sticky TOC

• short announcements → no TOC / no sidebar

• conversion-focused posts → sticky sidebar

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B) Per-post override (post editor)

If you want a specific post to use a different layout:

1. Open the post in Ghost Admin (editor)

2. Open Post settings (⚙️ in the right sidebar)

3. Find Post Template

4. Select the desired template/layout

Override Post Template for a single post

Override rules

• If a post template is selected → it overrides the global default_post_template

• If no post template is selected → the post inherits the global default

✅ Best practice

Use overrides only when needed, so your site stays consistent.

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What “Normal” vs “Sticky” means

Normal TOC

• TOC is shown in a regular (non-sticky) position

• It scrolls away with the page like normal content

Sticky TOC

• TOC stays visible while scrolling (pinned behavior)

• Best for long-form articles with many headings

Normal Sidebar

• Sidebar appears as a standard column

• It scrolls with the page

Sticky Sidebar

• Sidebar stays visible while scrolling (pinned behavior)

• Best when you want key navigation/CTA elements accessible continuously

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The five layouts (what each one is for)

1) With Normal TOC and Sidebar

Normal TOC and Sidebar

Includes

• TOC: ✅ Yes (normal)

• Sidebar: ✅ Yes (sticky)

Best for

• Standard articles where you want both navigation and extra context

• Medium-to-long posts with multiple headings

Reader experience

• TOC supports scanning

• Sidebar adds structure without “always visible” sticky behavior

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2) With Sticky TOC and No Sidebar

With Sticky TOC and NO Sidebar

Includes

• TOC: ✅ Yes (sticky)

• Sidebar: ❌ No

Best for

• Long guides, documentation-style posts, tutorials, pillar pages

• Posts with many sections (H2/H3)

Reader experience

• Maximum focus on content

• Persistent navigation stays available without extra sidebar clutter

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3) With Normal TOC and No Sidebar

Normal TOC and NO Sidebar

Includes

• TOC: ✅ Yes (normal)

• Sidebar: ❌ No

Best for

• Posts that benefit from a TOC but need a cleaner, minimal layout

• Editorials, interviews, thought pieces with a few structured sections

Reader experience

• TOC is available, but doesn’t stay pinned

• More horizontal space for content (especially noticeable on desktop)

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4) With Sticky Sidebar and No TOC

Sticky Sidebar and NO TOC

Includes

• TOC: ❌ No

• Sidebar: ✅ Yes (sticky)

Best for

• Posts where TOC isn’t necessary (short/medium posts)

• But you still want persistent secondary elements, such as:

  • newsletter prompts

  • related links

  • sponsorship/CTA content

  • author/metadata emphasis (theme-dependent)

Reader experience

• Reading stays uninterrupted (no TOC)

• Sidebar remains accessible throughout scrolling

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5) With No TOC and No Sidebar

No TOC and No Sidebar

Includes

• TOC: ❌ No

• Sidebar: ❌ No

Best for

• Short announcements, quick updates, photo-first posts, personal notes

• Landing-page-like posts where distractions should be minimized

Reader experience

• Cleanest, most focused layout

• Ideal when headings are few or when you don’t want extra UI around the post

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TOC generation rules (what counts as a TOC item)

When TOC is enabled, it is generated from headings in the post body:

• Typically includes: H2, H3 headings

• If your post has no headings, the TOC may:

  • appear empty, or

  • be hidden (theme-dependent behavior)

✅ Best practice for reliable TOC

• Use H2 for main sections

• Use H3 for subsections

• Avoid using headings only for styling—use them to represent real structure

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What stays the same across all templates

No matter which layout you choose, posts still include the core post modules (as configured in your site/theme), such as:

• Main post content

• Comments section (if enabled in Ghost settings)

• “Read more” / related posts section (theme feature)

• A subscribe block at the end (only when Ghost Members is enabled)

So the template choice primarily changes: ✅ TOC behavior ✅ Sidebar behavior —not whether the post has core content blocks.

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Troubleshooting

My TOC doesn’t show anything

Most common cause: the post has no headings.

Fix:

• Add H2/H3 headings, or

• Switch to a No TOC template if your post doesn’t need structure.

Sticky feels odd on mobile

Sticky elements adapt on small screens. If it feels cluttered, use:

• With Normal TOC and No Sidebar, or

• With No TOC and No Sidebar

I changed the default but one post didn’t update

That post likely has a template override set.

Fix:

1. Open the post

2. Post settings (⚙️ right sidebar)

3. Clear or reset the Post Template selection to Default

4. Update the post

Then it will inherit default_post_template.