# Only Top-Level Items on Hierarchical Post Type Archives

> Lists only parent items on the archive of hierarchical post types, such as services with sub-services, so child items do not crowd the overview.

- Type: PHP
- Runs: Run everywhere
- Category: [Archives](https://wpide.com/library/category/archive/)
- Tags: archives, post-types, hierarchy
- Author: WPIDE Team
- Installs: 0
- Updated: 2026-10-28
- Page: https://wpide.com/library/top-level-items-on-hierarchical-archives/

## Code

```php
// Hierarchical post types whose archive lists only top-level items (child items stay reachable through their parents).
// Empty = every public hierarchical custom post type with an archive.
$wpide_top_level_archive_types = array();

add_action( 'pre_get_posts', function ( $query ) use ( $wpide_top_level_archive_types ) {
    if ( is_admin() || ! $query->is_main_query() || ! $query->is_post_type_archive() ) {
        return;
    }

    $type = $query->get( 'post_type' );
    $type = is_array( $type ) ? reset( $type ) : $type;
    $obj  = $type ? get_post_type_object( $type ) : null;

    if ( ! $obj || ! $obj->hierarchical || ( $wpide_top_level_archive_types && ! in_array( $type, $wpide_top_level_archive_types, true ) ) ) {
        return;
    }

    $query->set( 'post_parent', 0 );
} );
```

## Notes

Leave the list empty to apply to every hierarchical post type archive, or name the exact types.

## How to use it

Install the free WPIDE plugin (https://wordpress.org/plugins/wpide/), find "Only Top-Level Items on Hierarchical Post Type Archives" in its snippet library and add it in one click; or create a new PHP snippet in WPIDE (or any code snippets plugin) and paste the code above. More snippets: https://wpide.com/library/