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You can add a checklist to WordPress in three different ways: place a visible checklist in the post with a List block, turn on WordPress’s built-in pre-publish review, or use a workflow plugin for reusable team checklists. The right method depends on whether readers should see the checklist or authors should use it privately before publishing.

Choose the type of checklist you need

Approach Where it appears Reusable items or templates Progress tracking Can incomplete items block publishing?
List block Inside the post content Only if you save or reuse the layout separately No workflow tracking No
WordPress pre-publish checklist In the publishing flow Uses WordPress’s built-in review prompts No persistent team checklist No; you review the prompt and publish
Editorial Workflow Manager Editor sidebar/workflow area Templates can be mapped to post types Per-post progress and readiness feedback No; its pre-publish warning is non-blocking

The List block is for a checklist visitors can read. The built-in preference is for a final review before publication. A plugin is the better fit when several authors need the same requirements on every post.

How to add a visible checklist inside a WordPress post

  1. In the WordPress dashboard, open Posts → Add New, or open an existing post to edit it. This launches the block editor described in the WordPress Block Editor documentation.

  2. Insert a List block. You can use the top toolbar’s block inserter, the inline + button in the content area, or type /list and select the List block from the slash search. WordPress documents these insertion methods in Work with blocks.

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  3. Enter one checklist step per list item, such as “Add a featured image” or “Verify the permalink.” Press Enter after each item to create the next one.

  4. Use the List block toolbar to switch between bullets and numbers, or adjust indentation when a step needs sub-items. If readers need to mark tasks themselves, explain that the list is instructional; a normal List block does not create interactive checkboxes.

  5. Use the editor’s preview control to check the checklist on the intended screen size, then save, schedule, or publish the post.

For a reusable visual layout, WordPress’s block documentation describes Patterns. An unsynced pattern can provide a starting copy that authors edit independently, but it does not provide the progress and readiness features of an editorial workflow plugin.

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How to turn on WordPress’s built-in pre-publish checklist

This option does not insert a checklist into the article. It adds an extra review step to the publishing flow.

  1. Open a post in the block editor.

  2. Open the editor preferences from the options menu, then select Preferences → Publishing. The controls are described in WordPress’s Preferences overview.

  3. Enable Include pre-publish checklist.

  4. Click Publish. WordPress displays the review step before the post is finally published.

  5. Review visibility and the publish date, and add or change settings such as categories and tags. Make any corrections, then click Publish again to complete publication.

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The exact wording and placement of controls can change between WordPress releases. If your screen differs, use the current screenshots and labels in the official Block Editor guide.

How to use a reusable editorial checklist for a team

When every author must complete different requirements by post type, a workflow plugin can keep the checklist in the editor rather than in the article body. Editorial Workflow Manager documents support for Gutenberg/the block editor, checklist templates, post-type mapping, per-post progress, and readiness feedback.

Typical setup and use

  1. Install and activate Editorial Workflow Manager from its WordPress.org listing or your normal WordPress plugin workflow.

  2. Create checklist templates for the content types your team publishes, such as tutorials, news posts, or product documentation.

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  3. Map each template to the relevant post type so authors receive the appropriate requirements.

  4. Open a post in the block editor and complete the checklist shown in the editor workflow area. Use the per-post progress and readiness feedback to identify unfinished work.

  5. Review the plugin’s pre-publish warning before release. The listing describes it as non-blocking, so it warns about incomplete work but does not prevent publication.

The plugin supports the block editor but not the Classic Editor. Confirm compatibility with your WordPress version and test the workflow on a staging site before applying it to a busy publication.

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What to check before publishing

Whether you use a visible List block, the built-in prompt, or a plugin, inspect the post’s relevant settings in the Post or Page settings sidebar. WordPress’s blocks guide identifies common checks such as:

  • Featured image
  • Categories and tags
  • Permalink or post URL
  • Visibility and publishing date
  • Preview appearance and content formatting

Use the built-in pre-publish checklist when you only need a final reminder. Put a List block in the content when readers must see the steps. Choose a workflow plugin when the checklist must be reusable, vary by post type, and show progress for individual posts.

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