The block editor tries to suggest new blocks to install when administrators create posts. After some digging, I figured out how to completely disable and remove this feature. As great as the block directory is for me personally, it’s not good for professional sites where a client expects a streamlined or controlled environment.

To do this, there are 2 methods.

In method 1, we need to unregister the block-directory plugin using unregisterPlugin/ wp.plugins.unregisterPlugin. This PHP inserts that code when the block editor loads:

function tomjn_remove_block_directory() {
	wp_add_inline_script(
		'wp-block-editor',
		"wp.domReady( () => wp.plugins.unregisterPlugin( 'block-directory' ) )"
	);
}
add_action( 'admin_enqueue_scripts', 'tomjn_remove_block_directory' );

In method 2, we remove the actions that enqueue the block directory javascript:

add_action(
    'admin_init',
    function() {
        remove_action( 'enqueue_block_editor_assets', 'wp_enqueue_editor_block_directory_assets' );
        remove_action( 'enqueue_block_editor_assets', 'gutenberg_enqueue_block_editor_assets_block_directory' );
    }
);

Both methods work on their own, here’s the before and after: