Question

This code adds a unique class to every first/second/third multiple in the WordPress loop:

<?php
$style_classes = array('first','second','third');
$style_index = 0;

if (have_posts()) : while (have_posts()) : the_post(); ?>
<div <?php $k = $style_index%3; echo "class=post&nbsp;$style_classes[$k]"; $style_index++; ?>>test</div>

So the first post has a class of first, the second a class of second, the third a class of third, and then it resets with the fourth post having a class of first, the fifth post a class of second, etc etc.

Is there a way to also make only the first three posts have an additional class called “special”?

Answer 1

You should not compress together so much code into one line.

Instead, make one statement per line, that keeps you flexible to add stuff, like your special class:

<?php
$style_classes = array('first','second','third');
$style_index = 0;

if (have_posts()) : 
    while (have_posts()) : 
        the_post();
        $style_index = $wp_query->current_post;
        $classes = array('post');
        $classes[] = $style_classes[$style_index % 3];
        if ($style_index < 3) $classes[] = 'special'
        $class = sprintf('class="%s"', implode(' ', $classes));
?>
<div <?php echo $class?>>test</div>