What It Does
The Portal Template Builder is a drag-and-drop block builder that lets you compose custom portal layouts without writing any code. Mix and match nine different blocks to create the exact support portal your visitors need.
How to Enable / Access
- Go to DeskPress > Support Portal > Portal Builder tab.
- Design your layout by dragging blocks into the zones you want.
- Save your changes.
- Assign the DeskPress - Custom page template to your portal page.
The Custom template will render whatever layout you build here.
Configuration Walkthrough
Understanding the Layout Zones
The builder uses four layout zones:
+---------------------------------------------+
| TOP |
| (full width) |
+---------------------------+-----------------+
| | |
| LEFT COLUMN | RIGHT COLUMN |
| (main content) | (380px wide) |
| | |
+---------------------------+-----------------+
| BOTTOM |
| (full width) |
+---------------------------------------------+- Top and Bottom span the full width of the page.
- Left and Right sit side by side as a two-column grid. On mobile screens, the right column drops below the left to form a single column.
Available Blocks
You have nine blocks to work with:
| Block | What It Does | Default Zone | Enabled by Default? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hero | Hero section with search bar, gradient background, and wave decoration | Top | Yes |
| Search | A compact, standalone search bar (use this if you want search without the full hero) | Top | No |
| Topics | Knowledge base topic cards arranged in a grid | Left | Yes |
| Actions | Quick action buttons — New Ticket, My Tickets, Live Chat | Left | Yes |
| Conversations | Your customer's conversation list with status filter tabs (visible to logged-in users only) | Left | Yes |
| Hours | Opening hours schedule with current status and timezone selector | Right | No |
| AI Chat | An embedded AI chatbot panel | Right | No |
| Login Prompt | A prompt asking guests to log in (only shown to visitors who are not logged in) | Right | Yes |
| Footer | A footer text area | Bottom | No |
Working with Blocks
Each block has these controls:
- Drag handle — Click and drag to reorder blocks within a zone or move them between zones.
- Enable/Disable toggle — Turn a block on or off without losing its position.
- Alignment — Set the block content alignment to left, center, or right.
- Gear icon — Opens the block's individual settings (not all blocks have extra settings).
Per-Block Settings
Some blocks have additional options you can configure by clicking the gear icon:
Hero Block
| Setting | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Show search bar | On | Display the documentation search bar inside the hero |
| Show opening hours | Off | Display the current open/closed status in the hero area |
Topics Block
| Setting | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Show recommended badges | On | Highlight recommended or popular topics with a badge |
AI Chat Block
| Setting | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Show Tickets tab | On | Include a tab for viewing tickets within the chat panel |
| Show Docs tab | On | Include a tab for browsing documentation within the chat panel |
Settings Reference
| Setting | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Block placement | Portal Builder | Drag blocks into Top, Left, Right, or Bottom zones |
| Block visibility | Portal Builder toggle | Enable or disable individual blocks |
| Block alignment | Portal Builder | Left, center, or right alignment per block |
| Block settings | Portal Builder gear icon | Block-specific options (see table above) |
| Page template | Page Editor > Template | Must be set to "DeskPress - Custom" |
Tips and Common Questions
What happens to my layout when DeskPress adds new blocks in an update?
New block types are automatically added to the Top zone in a disabled state. Your existing layout stays exactly as you left it — nothing moves or turns on without your say-so.
I upgraded from an older version. Will my portal break?
No. The builder automatically migrates older layouts to the new block system. Your portal will continue to look the same.
Can I use the same block in multiple zones?
Each block can only appear in one zone at a time. Drag it from one zone to another to move it.
What's the difference between the Hero block and the Search block?
The Hero block is a large banner area with a gradient background, title, and optional search bar. The Search block is a compact, standalone search bar without the visual flair — useful if you want a minimal look.
Do I need to use the Custom template?
The builder layout only applies when your page uses the DeskPress - Custom template. The other three templates (Portal, Dashboard, Starter) have fixed layouts.