Support this plugin
fraew Category Posts List is free to use. If it’s helping you display related posts and engage your readers, consider buying me a coffee — it goes a long way toward keeping it maintained.
Display Posts from the Current Category
fraew Category Posts List is a lightweight WordPress plugin that automatically displays all posts from the same category as the currently viewed post. This helps keep your readers engaged by showing them related content on your site.
Simply add the widget to any sidebar or use the shortcode to display related posts with flexible formatting options.
Why use a category posts widget?
- Keep readers engaged — Display related posts that share the same category as the current post.
- Increase page views — Guide visitors to other relevant content on your site.
- Flexible formatting — Choose from list, comma-separated, or inline display formats.
- Customizable options — Control post count, sorting, spacing, and separators.
- Zero configuration — Works immediately after installation with sensible defaults.
Features
- Widget Support — Easy-to-use widget that automatically displays posts from the current category
- Display Formats — Choose between list, comma-separated, or inline display
- Customizable Spacing — Control spacing between posts (compact, normal, comfortable, spacious)
- Optional Separators — Toggle divider lines between posts
- Sorting Options — Sort by title (A-Z or Z-A) or date (newest or oldest first)
- Posts Per Page — Configurable post count (1-100)
- Template Tag — Add to custom themes with <?php echo do_shortcode(‘[category_posts_list]’); ?>
Installation & Setup
- Install the plugin from WordPress.org or upload to wp-content/plugins/
- Activate the plugin in your Plugins menu
- Add the widget to a sidebar in Appearance → Widgets
- Configure display preferences in Settings → Category Posts List
- Visit a post to see the widget display related category posts
Widget Configuration
Each widget instance can be configured with:
- Posts Per Page: How many posts to display (1-100)
- Sort Posts: Order by Title A-Z, Title Z-A, Date Newest First, or Date Oldest First
Global Settings
Overall plugin behavior can be configured in Settings → Category Posts List:
- Display Format: Choose list, comma-separated, or inline format
- Show Separators: Toggle divider lines between posts
- Item Spacing: Choose spacing level (compact, normal, comfortable, spacious)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: On what pages does the widget appear?
A: The widget only displays on single post pages, automatically showing posts from the same category.
Q: Can I use multiple instances of the widget?
A: Yes! Each widget instance can have different settings for posts per page and sort order.
Q: Does it work with custom post types?
A: Currently, the plugin works with standard WordPress posts and their categories.
Q: Will this slow down my site?
A: No. The plugin uses efficient database queries and is optimized for performance.
Q: Can I customize the CSS?
A: Yes! The plugin uses CSS classes like .cpl-posts-list, .cpl-posts, .cpl-post-current, etc. that you can target in your theme’s CSS.