Knowledge Base Permalinks Tutorial

This guide explains how Knowledge Base handles URLs and how to configure custom permalink structures in Pro.

Quick start

  • Free version: Set your slugs in Knowledge Base → Settings → Permalinks.
  • Pro version: Enable custom permalinks and use placeholders like %product_name% or %section_name% in your article structure.

Permalink settings

All permalink settings are located in Knowledge Base → Settings → General under the Permalinks section.

Available settings

  • Knowledge Base slug (kb_slug): Sets the base path for the Knowledge Base. Default: knowledgebase
  • Product slug (product_slug): Base path for product archives. Default: kb/product
  • Section slug (category_slug): Base path for section archives. Default: kb/section
  • Tags slug (tag_slug): Base path for tag archives. Default: kb/tags
  • Article Permalink Structure (article_permalink): Custom structure for articles. Pro feature only

Pro: custom permalinks engine

Pro adds a custom permalinks engine that lets you control your URL structure using placeholders.

When this activates:

  • Pro is installed and activated
  • You enter a custom structure in the article permalink field (anything other than the default %postname%)

Supported placeholders:

  • %product_name% — The product slug (from your Products taxonomy)
  • %section_name% — The top-level section slug for articles
  • %postname% — The article slug
  • %post_id% — The article ID
  • %author% — The author username

How custom permalinks work:

  1. You define a structure using placeholders
  2. Pro generates the appropriate rewrite rules
  3. Articles use your custom structure
  4. Taxonomy archives (products, sections, tags) use their configured slugs

Example:

Set kb_slug to help and article_permalink to: %product_name%/%section_name%/%postname%

Result: https://example.com/help/wordpress/getting-started/

Note: %section_name% for articles always returns the top-level parent slug, not the full hierarchy.

Configuration workflow

  1. Open Knowledge Base → Settings → General
  2. Configure your base slugs (kb_slug, product_slug, etc.)
  3. Pro users: set your custom article permalink structure
  4. Save changes
Important: After changing permalink settings, visit Settings → Permalinks in WordPress to flush your rewrite rules. This prevents 404 errors.

Troubleshooting

404 errors after changing settings

Visit Settings → Permalinks in WordPress to flush your rewrite rules.

URLs not matching your structure

  • Check you’ve entered a custom structure (not just %postname%)
  • Ensure Pro is active
  • Verify your placeholder syntax

Conflicts with other plugins

Some SEO plugins modify rewrite rules. If you experience conflicts:

  • Test with other plugins disabled
  • Check your rewrite rules using a plugin like Rewrite Rules Inspector
  • Priority is given to articles over taxonomy archives to prevent conflicts

Summary

  • Free version: configure base slugs for articles and taxonomies
  • Pro version: build custom URL structures using placeholders
  • Always flush rewrite rules after changing permalink settings
  • Pro handles smart conflict resolution between articles and taxonomies

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