The WordPress pattern directory integrates community-contributed patterns directly into the block inserter, making hundreds of patterns available regardless of your theme’s design aesthetic.
While theme-specific patterns align with your design system, directory patterns often clash with custom themes and can confuse users with inappropriate options. The integration makes external patterns appear identical to theme patterns.
Directory patterns serve generic use cases rather than your specific project needs, potentially undermining the cohesive design experience you’ve carefully crafted for clients.
Understanding this distinction helps explain why curated pattern libraries often provide better user experiences than unrestricted access to generic pattern collections.