Set “List / Grid” default view mode in catalog.xml for category view

Question

I\'m trying to do my category view display products in list or grid mode as default.

Answer 1

If you choose to use the method described by @rengaw83, you will not be able to switch between modes in that category anymore. For instance, if you click on "Grid", the mode will not change to grid mode.

To be able to switch modes and just set the default view mode in a category via a custom layout, you need to override the core Toolbar block, and add the following method to it:

/**
 * Sets the current View modes (grid, list, etc.)
 *
 * @param array $modes
 */
public function setCurrentModes($modes)
{
    $this->_availableMode = $modes;
    $modes = array_keys($this->_availableMode);
    $defaultMode = current($modes);
    $mode = $this->getRequest()->getParam($this->getModeVarName());
    if ($mode) {
        if ($mode == $defaultMode) {
            Mage::getSingleton('catalog/session')->unsDisplayMode();
        }
    } else {
        $mode = Mage::getSingleton('catalog/session')->getDisplayMode();
    }

    if (!$mode || !isset($this->_availableMode[$mode])) {
        $mode = $defaultMode;
    }
    $this->setData('_current_grid_mode', $mode);
}

Then you will be able to set modes in custom layout tab like that:

    
        
            List
            Grid
        
    

for default list mode, or

    
        
            Grid
            List
        
    

for default grid mode. Or you even can pass only one mode to set only grid or list mode available.