Example: How to create a contentitem (Reusable) in code (for deployment in NuGet)

I could't find a working example on how to create a reusable contentitem online. It was something I needed to include in a NuGet package. I think this might be helpfull for others.

First create your contenttype in the UI, so you can generate the class, and have the CI file as a reference.

Next implement a class like the example below. To have your new contenttype created, add a module, and call your installer using ApplicationEvents.Initialized.Execute.

using CMS.ContentEngine;
using CMS.DataEngine;
using CMS.FormEngine;

namespace MyProject.FaqContent.Admin;

internal interface IFaqContentInstaller
{
    void Install();
}

internal class FaqContentInstaller(IContentTypeManager contentTypeManager) : IFaqContentInstaller
{
    private const string DISPLAY_NAME = "FAQ";

    public void Install()
    {
        EnsureContentType();
    }

    private void EnsureContentType()
    {
        if (ContentTypeExists())
        {
            return;
        }

        var contentType = ContentTypeInfo.New(ContentTypeInfo.OBJECT_TYPE_CONTENTTYPE);

        contentType.ClassName = FaqContent.CONTENT_TYPE_NAME;
        contentType.ClassDisplayName = DISPLAY_NAME;
        contentType.ClassTableName = FaqContent.CONTENT_TYPE_NAME.Replace(".", "_");
        contentType.ClassType = ClassType.CONTENT_TYPE;
        contentType.ClassContentTypeType = ClassContentTypeType.REUSABLE;
        contentType.ClassWebPageHasUrl = false;
        contentType.ClassHasUnmanagedDbSchema = false;
        contentType.ClassIconClass = "xp-question-circle";
        contentType.ClassShortName = "FaqContent";

        contentTypeManager.Initialize(contentType);

        var formInfo = GetClassFormInfo(contentType.ClassFormDefinition, GetFormFields());
        contentType.ClassFormDefinition = formInfo.GetXmlDefinition();

        contentType.Insert();

        contentTypeManager.CreateTableStructures(contentType.ClassTableName);
    }

    private static FormInfo GetClassFormInfo(string contentTypeDefinition, IEnumerable<FormFieldInfo> fields)
    {
        var formInfo = new FormInfo(contentTypeDefinition);

        foreach (var field in fields)
        {
            formInfo.AddFormItem(field);
        }
        return formInfo;
    }

    private static IEnumerable<FormFieldInfo> GetFormFields()
    {
        var fields = new List<FormFieldInfo>();

        // Add FaqContentQuestion field (Text, Required)
        var questionField = new FormFieldInfo
        {
            Name = "FaqContentQuestion",
            AllowEmpty = false,
            DataType = FieldDataType.Text,
            Size = 200,
            Enabled = true,
            Visible = true,
            Caption = "Resource Key",
            DefaultValue = string.Empty,
        };
        QuestionField.SetPropertyValue(FormFieldPropertyEnum.FieldCaption, "Question");
        QuestionField.SetPropertyValue(FormFieldPropertyEnum.FieldDescription, "Enter the question");
        QuestionField.SetPropertyValue(FormFieldPropertyEnum.ExplanationTextAsHtml, "False");
        QuestionField.SetPropertyValue(FormFieldPropertyEnum.FieldDescriptionAsHtml, "False");
        QuestionField.Settings["controlname"] = "Kentico.Administration.TextInput";
        fields.Add(questionField);

        // Add FaqContentText field (Long Text, Required)
        var textField = new FormFieldInfo
        {
            Name = "FaqContentAnswer",
            AllowEmpty = false,
            DataType = FieldDataType.LongText,
            Enabled = true,
            Visible = true,
            Caption = "Localized Text",
            DefaultValue = string.Empty
        };
        textField.SetPropertyValue(FormFieldPropertyEnum.FieldCaption, "Answer");
        textField.SetPropertyValue(FormFieldPropertyEnum.FieldDescription, "Give the answer");
        textField.SetPropertyValue(FormFieldPropertyEnum.ExplanationTextAsHtml, "False");
        textField.SetPropertyValue(FormFieldPropertyEnum.FieldDescriptionAsHtml, "False");
        textField.Settings["controlname"] = "Kentico.Administration.TextArea";
        textField.Settings["MinRowsNumber"] = "3";
        textField.Settings["MaxRowsNumber"] = "5";
        fields.Add(textField);

        return fields;
    }

    internal bool ContentTypeExists()
    {
        var contentType = DataClassInfoProvider.GetDataClassInfo(FaqContent.CONTENT_TYPE_NAME);
        return contentType != null;
    }

}

Environment

• Xperience by Kentico