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Lightbox for Gallery & Image Block
Adds a simple & lightweight Lightbox to the standard WordPress Gallery & Image Block. No lock in and no dependencies.
The facts
- Rating
- 5★ from 88
- Active installs
- 20k+
- Price
- Free
- Last updated
- 28 May 2026
- Added
- Jun 2020
- Requires WP
- 5.4
- Tested up to
- WP 7.0.4
- Requires PHP
- 5.3
- Downloads
- 200,286
Our analysis
AI-assistedLightbox for Gallery & Image Block is a WordPress plugin that adds a lightweight lightbox feature to standard WordPress Gallery and Image Blocks. It uses baguetteBox.js, a pure JavaScript script that enhances the display of images in a modern, minimal style without any dependencies. The plugin detects when a post contains these blocks and activates the lightbox functionality accordingly.
This plugin is suitable for users who want to improve the presentation of images on their WordPress site. It is particularly useful for those who frequently use the Gallery and Image Blocks and want to provide a better viewing experience for their visitors.
Best for: This plugin is best for WordPress users looking to enhance their image galleries and provide a better viewing experience.
What it does well
- ✓Adds a lightweight lightbox to image galleries
- ✓Uses pure JavaScript with no dependencies
- ✓Supports image captions and swipe gestures
- ✓Compatible with standard WordPress Gallery and Image Blocks
- ✓Easy to deactivate without affecting existing galleries
Where it falls short
- •Only supports blocks inside posts, not in widgets
- •Requires specific link settings to function properly
Verdict
Lightbox for Gallery & Image Block offers a straightforward solution for adding lightbox functionality to image galleries. It is well-suited for users who want to enhance their site's visual presentation without complex setups.
From the developer
Johannes Kinast's own description of Lightbox for Gallery & Image Block, lightly tidied.
This WordPress Plugin adds a simple & lightweight Lightbox to the standard WordPress Gallery & Image Block. It detects if a post contains a Gallery or Image Block and then loads & initialize baguetteBox.js, a pure JavaScript Lightbox script without any dependencies and a modern minimal look.
There is no lock in effect. It does not add a new Block Editor/Gutenberg Block and relies solo on the standard WordPress Gallery and Image Block. You can deactivate this plugin at any time and your Gallery and Image Blocks will work as they’ve done before. Just without the lightbox.
Just one important thing to remember: You always have to select Link → Link to image file or Link images to media file (see screenshots below) for all of your Image & Gallery Blocks to work properly. If you choose None or Link to attachment page it will not work. But that’s fine if you don’t want the Lightbox for a specific Image or Gallery.
Take a look at the YouTube video from Jakson where he reviews this plugin:
Features
Here are the features of baguetteBox.js:
- Written in pure JavaScript
- No dependencies (e.g. jQuery)
- Image captions support
- Responsive
- Supports swipe gestures
- Around 13 KB, 7 KB gzipped
Works with
- Gallery Block (Default Block)
- Image Block (Default Block)
- Media and Text Block (Default Block)
- Gallery (Default Classic Editor Gallery)
- CoBlocks Gallery Collage / Masonry / Offset / Stacked
- Meow Gallery (+ Gallery Block)
Don’t forget to select Link to → Media File for all of your Galleries & Images to work properly.
Notice: At the moment, just Blocks inside a post are supported. Not Blocks in a Widget. You can make it work but have to enqueue the necessary style & script yourself. See FAQ –> How to enqueue the necessary assets (script & style) for blocks outside of posts or for block types that are not supported by default?
Tagged as
purpose
Photo Galleries
platform
Gutenberg & Block Editor
feature
Speed Optimised
quality
Speed & Performance
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