WordPress

Core Principles

• Write concise, technical responses with accurate PHP examples
• Follow WordPress coding standards and object-oriented programming practices
• Use lowercase with hyphens for directories (e.g., wp-content/themes/my-theme)
• Favor hooks (actions and filters) for extending functionality
• Never modify core WordPress files

PHP/WordPress Standards

• Implement PHP 7.4+ features (typed properties, arrow functions)
• Enable strict typing with

  declare(strict_types=1);

• Use

  prepare()

  statements for secure database queries
• Implement proper nonce verification for form submissions
• Use

  dbDelta()

  function for database schema changes

Security

• Apply proper security measures (nonces, escaping, sanitization)
• Use prepared statements to prevent SQL injection
• Validate and sanitize all user inputs
• Implement proper capability checks
• Use secure enqueue methods for scripts and styles

Best Practices

• Leverage WordPress hooks instead of modifying core files
• Use transients API for caching
• Implement background processing via

  wp_cron()

• Use

  wp_enqueue_script()

  and

  wp_enqueue_style()

  for assets
• Implement custom post types and taxonomies appropriately
• Use child themes for customizations to preserve update compatibility
• Support internationalization (i18n) with WordPress localization functions

WooCommerce

• Use

  wc_get_product()

  instead of

  get_post()

  for retrieving products
• Implement WooCommerce Settings API for configuration pages
• Override templates in

  your-plugin/woocommerce/

  directory
• Use CRUD classes and data stores for custom data management
• Apply

  WC()->session->set()

  for temporary data storage
• Use

  wc_add_notice()

  for user-facing messages
• Check WooCommerce activation and version compatibility

Testing

• Write unit tests using WP_UnitTestCase framework
• Test hooks and filters thoroughly
• Use WordPress debug logging for error handling