
This is a feature plugin intended to implement #28536: Add browser history and deep linking for navigation in Customizer preview
This plugin keeps the Customizer URL in the browser updated with current previewed URL as the url query param and current expanded panel/section/control as autofocus params. This allows for bookmarking and also the ability to reload and return go the same view (which is great for developers), including which device you are previewing (desktop, tablet, or mobile). Not only will the URL be kept in sync with the current customizer UI, but new browser history entries will be added as you navigate around the site in the preview (via history.pushState()), allowing you to use the back/forward buttons as you would normally when browsing the site outside the customizer. The scroll position for each previewed URL is tracked as well, so that when you navigate back/forward the scroll position will be restored, just as happens when browsing the site outside the customizer preview. Restoring the scroll position also works when reloading the customizer, as the position is persisted in a scroll query parameter: again, this is extremely useful during development.
This plugin complements well the Customize Snapshots plugin which allows you to save your Customizer state in a shapshot/changeset with an associated UUID that also gets added to the browser URL in the Customizer.
For example, if you load the Customizer and then click the “Site Identity” section, the URL will be replaced to add autofocus[section]=title_tagline.
If you navigate into the nav menus panel, open a menu section, and then expand a nav menu item control, then the URL will have these autofocus params added:
autofocus[panel]=nav_menus&autofocus[section]=nav_menu[87]&autofocus[control]=nav_menu_item[5123]
And while these changes to the autofocus params are being made in the browser’s URL as the Customizer UI is interacted with, if you navigate to another page in the preview the url parameter will also be replaced to reflect the new preview URL.
Note that the url param will be URL-encoded. So a typical Customizer URL would get updated to look like:
http://example.com/wp-admin/customize.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fexample.com%2Fsample-page%2F&autofocus[panel]=widgets&autofocus[section]=sidebar-widgets-sidebar-1&autofocus[control]=widget_text[10]&device=mobile&scroll=200
The plugin will also persist the scroll position from the frontend to preview frame in the Customizer after clicking the “Customize” link in the frontend admin bar. This ensures you can quickly start editing whatever you were looking at the moment you clicked Customize, and it makes the Customizer load from the frontend in a more seamless way.
Additionally, as you navigate around the Customizer preview, the close link in the Customizer controls pane will keep updating to point to the same URL that you are previewing, along with persisting the scroll position. In this way, whenever you close the Customizer via this link the user experience is that the Customizer sidebar is just removed, similar to as if they clicked the “Hide Controls” link at the bottom of the sidebar. This behavior is only active if the user had clicked the Customize link from the frontend. If they clicked Customize from the admin, then the Close link will remain linking back to the admin page they came from. Note that for responsive themes like Twenty Seventeen, the synced scroll position between the frontend and backend won’t always appear seamless since the Customizer controls panel being expanded causes the element dimensions in the preview to change.
Development of this plugin is done on GitHub. Pull requests welcome. Please see issues reported there before going to the plugin forum.
Starting from $0 per month.
Rating
Reviewers
2 reviews
Tags
Developed By
XWP
Quick & Easy
Common Ninja has a large selection of powerful Wordpress plugins that are easy to use, fully customizable, mobile-friendly and rich with features — so be sure to check them out!
Testimonial plugins for Wordpress
Contact Form plugins for Wordpress
Maps plugins for Wordpress
Translation plugins for Wordpress
Chat plugins for Wordpress
Slider plugins for Wordpress
Reviews plugins for Wordpress
Contact plugins for Wordpress
Galleries plugins for Wordpress
SEO plugins for Wordpress
Forms plugins for Wordpress
Comments plugins for Wordpress
Backup plugins for Wordpress
Privacy plugins for Wordpress
Optimize plugins for Wordpress
Tabs plugins for Wordpress
Social Sharing plugins for Wordpress
Events Calendar plugins for Wordpress
Comments plugins for Wordpress
Social Feeds plugins for Wordpress
Social Sharing plugins for Wordpress
Portfolio plugins for Wordpress
Video Player plugins for Wordpress
popup plugins for Wordpress
SiteMap plugins for Wordpress
Payment plugins for Wordpress
Coming Soon plugins for Wordpress
Inventory plugins for Wordpress
Testimonials plugins for Wordpress
Portfolio plugins for Wordpress
Membership plugins for Wordpress
Forms plugins for Wordpress
Analytics plugins for Wordpress
Events Calendar plugins for Wordpress
Sliders plugins for Wordpress
Analytics plugins for Wordpress
Reviews plugins for Wordpress
Security plugins for Wordpress
Ads plugins for Wordpress
Music Player plugins for Wordpress
Countdown plugins for Wordpress
Email Marketing plugins for Wordpress
Membership plugins for Wordpress
Ecommerce plugins for Wordpress
Customer Support plugins for Wordpress
Video Player plugins for Wordpress
Tabs plugins for Wordpress
Social Feeds plugins for Wordpress
Common Ninja Apps
Browse our extensive collection of compatible plugins, and easily embed them on any website, blog, online store, e-commerce platform, or site builder.

Show Pinterest content in a Pinterest feed that keeps your page visually engaging, highlights new ideas, and helps visitors explore fresh inspiration.
Use a sticky video that stays visible while users scroll to keep content in view, increase watch time, and boost engagement.
Showcase photos with an image stack gallery that layers images in a stacked display with smooth transitions to create a visually striking presentation.
Add an FAQ section to your site to answer common questions, reduce support requests, and give visitors a smoother and more confident user experience.
Display multiple time zones with a world clock widget that offers clear global times, customizable styles, and a responsive design for better user experience.

Show Blogger posts automatically with a Blogger feed that keeps your content fresh, improves navigation, and helps visitors discover more of your work.
Show products, apps, or designs inside a clean device mockup that improves visualization, builds credibility, and helps visitors make confident decisions.
Create immersive 360 virtual tours with interactive hotspots that let visitors explore spaces, view details clearly, and experience panoramic environments seamlessly.
Add comparison tables to your site to help visitors evaluate features side by side, understand differences quickly, and choose the right option with confidence.
Nudge button with a subtle shaking animation that draws attention to important calls to action, increases interaction, and helps boost conversions.
Show your team with interactive team member flip cards that build trust, support transparency, and help visitors connect with the people behind your brand.
Show Reddit posts with a Reddit feed that updates automatically, improves content discovery, and keeps visitors engaged with fresh discussions.
More plugins
The Common Ninja Search Engine platform helps website builders find the best site widgets, apps, plugins, tools, add-ons, and extensions! Compatible with all major website building platforms - big or small - and updated regularly, our Search Engine tool provides you with the business tools your site needs!
