wp-plugin-development — Claude Code skill: install guide
This skill guides WordPress plugin work, from project structure and hooks to admin settings, security checks and release packaging.
npx skills add WordPress/agent-skills --skill wp-plugin-development -a claude-codeWhat wp-plugin-development does
The skill first locates plugin entry points with detect_wp_project.mjs and detect_plugins.mjs. In a full site repository, it directs the agent to the relevant plugin under wp-content/plugins/ or mu-plugins/, then works from its bootstrap file, classes and hook registration.
It covers activation, deactivation and uninstall logic, Settings API screens, option storage, cron jobs and schema migrations. Before release, it calls for checks around permissions, nonces, input handling, output escaping and SQL prepared with $wpdb->prepare(). It targets WordPress 7.0+ and PHP 7.4.0+ and needs filesystem access, bash and node; some workflows use WP-CLI. If bash or node is unavailable, check the environment before editing code.
What it helps with
- locate a plugin's main entry file
- register hooks and lifecycle handlers
- build a settings screen with Settings API
- fix nonce, capability and SQL safety gaps
- package plugin files for a release
Example prompts for the agent
- Find the target plugin under `wp-content/plugins/` and review its entry point.
- Add a Settings API page with safe handling for the option value.
- Check this plugin's activation, uninstall flow and SQL queries.
How to install wp-plugin-development
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add WordPress/agent-skills --skill wp-plugin-development -a claude-code2Manually: put the files in place
~/.claude/skills/wp-plugin-development/SKILL.mdCopy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/wp-plugin-development/
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add WordPress/agent-skills --skill wp-plugin-development -a codex2Manually: put the files in place
.agents/skills/wp-plugin-development/SKILL.mdFor all projects use ~/.agents/skills/
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add WordPress/agent-skills --skill wp-plugin-development -a cursor2Manually: put the files in place
.cursor/skills/wp-plugin-development/SKILL.mdCursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/
1GitHub CLI
gh skill install WordPress/agent-skills wp-plugin-development2Manually: put the files in place
.github/skills/wp-plugin-development/SKILL.md1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add WordPress/agent-skills --skill wp-plugin-development -a gemini-cli2Platform CLI
gemini skills install https://github.com/WordPress/agent-skills --path skills/wp-plugin-developmentManually: put the files in place
.devin/skills/wp-plugin-development/SKILL.mdThe legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works
Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add WordPress/agent-skills --skill wp-plugin-development -a opencodeClaude.ai
Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills
From the same set8
The whole set →Similar
Questions about wp-plugin-development
How do I install wp-plugin-development in Claude Code?
Run npx skills add WordPress/agent-skills --skill wp-plugin-development -a claude-code, then run npx skills add WordPress/agent-skills --skill wp-plugin-development -a claude-code again. The skill file is placed at ~/.claude/skills/wp-plugin-development/SKILL.md.
What does wp-plugin-development do?
It guides WordPress plugin development from structure and hooks through admin settings, security work, migrations and release packaging. It also includes checks for plugin activation and uninstall behaviour.
What does wp-plugin-development require?
The skill targets WordPress 7.0+ and PHP 7.4.0+. It needs filesystem access, bash and node; some workflows require WP-CLI.
