Theme Enfold 8.0: New layout builder unusual?
With Enfold 8.0, released on August 17, 2026, Kriesi has significantly revised the Avia Layout Builder. It’s not a small optical change, but the biggest change to the layout builder’s user interface since its introduction, according to the developer.
The most striking change:
The elements of the layout builder are located by default no longer in a bar above the editor, but in a side, permanently visible element bar. This can be changed in width, divided into several columns and has its own search. Especially with long sides, the elements should be reachable faster. These include a new full-screen mode, faster-opening settings windows, new SVG icons, a ‘What’s new?’ area and other changes to the user interface. Enfold 8.0 also brought new demos, Cloudflare turn styles support (replaced for Google ReCaptcha), and additional or redesigned layout elements. (Source: Kriesi)
But new doesn’t automatically mean better?
If you have been using Enfold for years, you might be surprised after the update. The new sidebar takes up a relatively large amount of space and changes a workflow that has played out over the years.
Personally, I find the old presentation clearer. Especially on a normal desktop monitor, I want to have as much space as possible for the actual page structure – and not permanently an additional sidebar next to the layout. Kriesi has apparently expected that not all Enfold users will be enthusiastic about the new interface:
The classic representation has not been removed. It can still be activated.
Using Enfold 8.0 again almost as before
If you can’t make friends with the new Enfold-8 interface, you don’t have to install a plugin or change CSS or PHP. Two settings are sufficient:
- Gutenberg? Use classic WordPress editor:
Enfold Child Theme → Theme options → Using WP Classic Editor - Show Layout Builder again at the top:
Enfold Child Theme → Layout architecture → Toolbar at the top (classic)
This allows Enfold 8.0 to be kept technically up-to-date without at the same time giving up the way of working that has been familiar for years.
Details of the procedure
1. Turn off Gutenberg / use „old“ editor
Who at the same time again – I always … – if you want to work with the classic WordPress editor, this setting can also be found directly in Enfold. To this end: Enfold Child Theme → Theme options
Scroll down the page to the area: ‘Choose your editor’
There you can choose between the block editor and the classic editor. Select for the previous way of working: ‘Use WP Classic Editor’
and then again: ‘Save all changes’
2. Show Layout Builder above the editor again, so it goes:
In the WordPress backend it goes to: Enfold Child Theme → Layout architecture
There is the area: Advanced layout builder options
For: Position of the element panel
is selected: ‘Toolbar at the top (classic)’
Subsequently ‘Save all changes’.
Thus, the elements of the Avia Layout Builder stand again as before above the editor instead of beside it.
Note: Enfold 8.1 of 3 September 2026 has already been published. Among other things, security problems were fixed. If you still use Enfold 8.0, you should not stop at this version. (Source: Kriesi)
Notice: This text was automatically translated with the European Commission’s eTranslation service. Translation errors are possible. View the German original
