Let’s be honest – WordPress development can feel overwhelming sometimes. Whether you’re a seasoned developer juggling multiple projects or someone just getting their feet wet, there’s always that moment when you think, “I know I’ve done this before, but what was that exact code snippet again?”
Sound familiar? You’re definitely not alone.
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That’s exactly why I’ve put together this comprehensive WordPress cheat sheet. Think of it as your trusty sidekick that’ll save you countless hours of Googling and Stack Overflow diving. We’re covering everything from basic PHP functions to advanced customizations that’ll make your WordPress sites shine.
Why Every WordPress Developer Needs a Reliable Cheat Sheet
Before we dive into the good stuff, let’s talk about why having a go-to reference is a game-changer. WordPress powers over 40% of all websites on the internet, which means there’s an incredible demand for developers who can work efficiently with the platform.
The thing is, WordPress has evolved significantly over the years. With new features, functions, and best practices constantly emerging, even experienced developers can’t remember every single code snippet or function parameter. That’s where this cheat sheet comes in handy.
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Essential WordPress Functions and Hooks
Let’s start with the bread and butter of WordPress development – the functions and hooks you’ll use almost daily.
The Most Common WordPress Functions
Getting WordPress URLs:
// Home URL echo home_url(); // Site URL echo site_url(); // Admin URL echo admin_url(); // Current page URL echo get_permalink(); // Theme directory URL echo get_template_directory_uri();
Working with Posts and Pages:
// Get post/page content echo get_the_content(); // Get post excerpt echo get_the_excerpt(); // Get post title echo get_the_title(); // Get post date echo get_the_date(); // Check if we're on a single post if (is_single()) { // Your code here } // Check if we're on a page if (is_page()) { // Your code here }
Essential Action Hooks
Action hooks are your best friends when you want to add functionality at specific points in WordPress execution.
// Add scripts and styles add_action('wp_enqueue_scripts', 'your_function_name'); // Initialize functionality add_action('init', 'your_init_function'); // Run code after theme setup add_action('after_setup_theme', 'your_setup_function'); // Add admin scripts add_action('admin_enqueue_scripts', 'your_admin_scripts'); // Custom post type registration add_action('init', 'register_custom_post_type');
Filter Hooks You’ll Actually Use
Filters let you modify data before it’s displayed or processed.
// Modify the main query add_filter('pre_get_posts', 'modify_main_query'); // Change excerpt length add_filter('excerpt_length', 'custom_excerpt_length'); // Modify post content add_filter('the_content', 'add_custom_content'); // Change login logo add_filter('login_headerurl', 'custom_login_logo_url');
Theme Development Essentials
Creating custom themes is where WordPress development gets really exciting. Here are the snippets you’ll reach for again and again.
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Theme Setup Functions
Every good theme starts with proper setup. Here’s what should go in your functions.php:
function theme_setup() { // Add theme support for post thumbnails add_theme_support('post-thumbnails'); // Add theme support for title tag add_theme_support('title-tag'); // Add theme support for custom logo add_theme_support('custom-logo'); // Add theme support for HTML5 add_theme_support('html5', array( 'search-form', 'comment-form', 'comment-list', 'gallery', 'caption', )); // Register navigation menus register_nav_menus(array( 'primary' => 'Primary Menu', 'footer' => 'Footer Menu', )); } add_action('after_setup_theme', 'theme_setup');
Enqueuing Scripts and Styles Properly
One of the biggest mistakes I see developers make is loading scripts and styles incorrectly. Here’s the right way:
function enqueue_theme_assets() { // Enqueue main stylesheet wp_enqueue_style('theme-style', get_stylesheet_uri()); // Enqueue custom CSS wp_enqueue_style('custom-style', get_template_directory_uri() . '/css/custom.css'); // Enqueue jQuery (if not already loaded) wp_enqueue_script('jquery'); // Enqueue custom JavaScript wp_enqueue_script('theme-script', get_template_directory_uri() . '/js/main.js', array('jquery'), '1.0.0', true); // Localize script for AJAX wp_localize_script('theme-script', 'ajax_object', array( 'ajax_url' => admin_url('admin-ajax.php'), 'nonce' => wp_create_nonce('ajax_nonce') )); } add_action('wp_enqueue_scripts', 'enqueue_theme_assets');
Creating Custom Page Templates
Sometimes you need pages that look completely different from your standard template. Here’s how to create them:
<?php /* Template Name: Custom Landing Page */ get_header(); ?> <div class="custom-landing-page"> <?php if (have_posts()) : ?> <?php while (have_posts()) : the_post(); ?> <h1><?php the_title(); ?></h1> <div class="content"> <?php the_content(); ?> </div> <?php endwhile; ?> <?php endif; ?> </div> <?php get_footer(); ?>
Working with Custom Fields and Meta Data
Custom fields are incredibly powerful for creating dynamic, content-rich websites. Here’s how to work with them effectively.
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Adding and Retrieving Custom Fields
// Add custom meta box function add_custom_meta_box() { add_meta_box( 'custom-meta-box', 'Custom Fields', 'custom_meta_box_callback', 'post' ); } add_action('add_meta_boxes', 'add_custom_meta_box'); // Meta box callback function custom_meta_box_callback($post) { wp_nonce_field('save_custom_meta', 'custom_meta_nonce'); $value = get_post_meta($post->ID, '_custom_field', true); echo '<input type="text" name="custom_field" value="' . esc_attr($value) . '" />'; } // Save custom field function save_custom_meta($post_id) { if (!wp_verify_nonce($_POST['custom_meta_nonce'], 'save_custom_meta')) { return; } if (isset($_POST['custom_field'])) { update_post_meta($post_id, '_custom_field', sanitize_text_field($_POST['custom_field'])); } } add_action('save_post', 'save_custom_meta'); // Retrieve custom field in template $custom_value = get_post_meta(get_the_ID(), '_custom_field', true); if ($custom_value) { echo '<p>Custom Field: ' . esc_html($custom_value) . '</p>'; }
Custom Post Types and Taxonomies
Custom post types are essential for creating websites that go beyond basic blogging. Here’s everything you need to know.
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Creating Custom Post Types
function register_custom_post_type() { $args = array( 'public' => true, 'label' => 'Portfolio', 'labels' => array( 'name' => 'Portfolio Items', 'singular_name' => 'Portfolio Item', 'add_new' => 'Add New Item', 'add_new_item' => 'Add New Portfolio Item', 'edit_item' => 'Edit Portfolio Item', ), 'supports' => array('title', 'editor', 'thumbnail', 'excerpt'), 'has_archive' => true, 'rewrite' => array('slug' => 'portfolio'), 'menu_icon' => 'dashicons-portfolio', ); register_post_type('portfolio', $args); } add_action('init', 'register_custom_post_type');
Custom Taxonomies
function register_custom_taxonomy() { $args = array( 'hierarchical' => true, 'labels' => array( 'name' => 'Portfolio Categories', 'singular_name' => 'Portfolio Category', ), 'show_ui' => true, 'show_admin_column' => true, 'query_var' => true, 'rewrite' => array('slug' => 'portfolio-category'), ); register_taxonomy('portfolio_category', array('portfolio'), $args); } add_action('init', 'register_custom_taxonomy');
WordPress Loop Variations
The WordPress Loop is fundamental to displaying content. Here are different variations you’ll need.
Basic Loop
<?php if (have_posts()) : ?> <?php while (have_posts()) : the_post(); ?> <article id="post-<?php the_ID(); ?>" <?php post_class(); ?>> <h2><a href="<?php the_permalink(); ?>"><?php the_title(); ?></a></h2> <div class="post-meta"> <span>By <?php the_author(); ?> on <?php the_date(); ?></span> </div> <div class="post-content"> <?php the_excerpt(); ?> </div> </article> <?php endwhile; ?> <?php the_posts_navigation(); ?> <?php else : ?> <p>No posts found.</p> <?php endif; ?>
Custom Query Loop
$custom_query = new WP_Query(array( 'post_type' => 'portfolio', 'posts_per_page' => 6, 'meta_query' => array( array( 'key' => 'featured', 'value' => 'yes', 'compare' => '=' ) ) )); if ($custom_query->have_posts()) : while ($custom_query->have_posts()) : $custom_query->the_post(); // Your template code here endwhile; wp_reset_postdata(); endif;
User Management and Authentication
Working with users is a common requirement in WordPress development. Here are the essential snippets.
User Registration and Login
// Check if user is logged in if (is_user_logged_in()) { $current_user = wp_get_current_user(); echo 'Hello, ' . $current_user->display_name; } else { echo '<a href="' . wp_login_url() . '">Login</a>'; } // Get user meta $user_meta = get_user_meta($user_id, 'meta_key', true); // Update user meta update_user_meta($user_id, 'meta_key', 'meta_value'); // Check user capabilities if (current_user_can('edit_posts')) { // User can edit posts }
Custom User Roles
// Add custom user role function add_custom_user_role() { add_role( 'custom_role', 'Custom Role', array( 'read' => true, 'edit_posts' => false, 'delete_posts' => false, ) ); } add_action('init', 'add_custom_user_role');
Security Best Practices
Security should never be an afterthought. Here are essential security snippets every WordPress developer should use.
Data Sanitization and Validation
// Sanitize text input $clean_text = sanitize_text_field($_POST['user_input']); // Sanitize email $clean_email = sanitize_email($_POST['email']); // Sanitize URL $clean_url = esc_url($_POST['website']); // Escape output echo esc_html($user_content); echo esc_attr($attribute_value); echo esc_url($link_url); // Nonce verification if (wp_verify_nonce($_POST['nonce_field'], 'nonce_action')) { // Process form }
Preventing Direct Access
// At the top of your PHP files if (!defined('ABSPATH')) { exit; // Exit if accessed directly }
Database Operations
Sometimes you need to interact directly with the WordPress database. Here’s how to do it safely.
Using $wpdb
global $wpdb;
// Get results
$results = $wpdb->get_results(
$wpdb->prepare(
"SELECT * FROM {$wpdb->posts} WHERE post_status = %s AND post_type = %s",
'publish',
'post'
)
);
// Insert data
$wpdb->insert(
$wpdb->prefix . 'custom_table',
array(
'name' => 'John Doe',
'email' => 'john@example.com'
),
array('%s', '%s')
);
// Update data
$wpdb->update(
$wpdb->prefix . 'custom_table',
array('name' => 'Jane Doe'),
array('id' => 1),
array('%s'),
array('%d')
);
AJAX in WordPress
AJAX functionality can make your WordPress sites feel more dynamic and responsive.
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Setting Up AJAX
// Enqueue script with localized data
function enqueue_ajax_script() {
wp_enqueue_script('custom-ajax', get_template_directory_uri() . '/js/ajax.js', array('jquery'));
wp_localize_script('custom-ajax', 'ajax_params', array(
'ajax_url' => admin_url('admin-ajax.php'),
'nonce' => wp_create_nonce('ajax_nonce')
));
}
add_action('wp_enqueue_scripts', 'enqueue_ajax_script');
// AJAX handler for logged-in users
function handle_ajax_request() {
check_ajax_referer('ajax_nonce', 'nonce');
// Your AJAX logic here
$response = array('success' => true, 'data' => 'Response data');
wp_send_json($response);
}
add_action('wp_ajax_custom_action', 'handle_ajax_request');
// AJAX handler for non-logged-in users
add_action('wp_ajax_nopriv_custom_action', 'handle_ajax_request');
JavaScript Side
jQuery(document).ready(function($) {
$('.ajax-button').click(function(e) {
e.preventDefault();
$.ajax({
url: ajax_params.ajax_url,
type: 'POST',
data: {
action: 'custom_action',
nonce: ajax_params.nonce,
// Additional data
},
success: function(response) {
if (response.success) {
// Handle success
console.log(response.data);
}
},
error: function() {
// Handle error
}
});
});
});
Customizing the WordPress Admin
Sometimes you need to customize the WordPress admin area for your clients or specific use cases.
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Admin Customizations
// Remove admin menu items
function remove_admin_menus() {
remove_menu_page('edit-comments.php'); // Comments
remove_menu_page('tools.php'); // Tools
}
add_action('admin_menu', 'remove_admin_menus');
// Add custom admin page
function add_custom_admin_page() {
add_menu_page(
'Custom Settings',
'Custom Settings',
'manage_options',
'custom-settings',
'custom_admin_page_callback',
'dashicons-admin-generic',
30
);
}
add_action('admin_menu', 'add_custom_admin_page');
function custom_admin_page_callback() {
echo '<div class="wrap"><h1>Custom Settings</h1><p>Your custom admin page content here.</p></div>';
}
// Custom admin styles
function custom_admin_styles() {
echo '<style>
.wp-admin #wpbody-content {
padding-bottom: 65px;
}
</style>';
}
add_action('admin_head', 'custom_admin_styles');
Performance Optimization Snippets
Performance is crucial for user experience and SEO. Here are some snippets to help optimize your WordPress sites.
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Caching and Optimization
// Disable unnecessary features
remove_action('wp_head', 'wp_generator');
remove_action('wp_head', 'wlwmanifest_link');
remove_action('wp_head', 'rsd_link');
// Optimize database queries
function optimize_database_queries() {
if (!is_admin()) {
// Remove unnecessary queries
remove_action('wp_head', 'wp_shortlink_wp_head');
}
}
add_action('init', 'optimize_database_queries');
// Enable Gzip compression
function enable_gzip_compression() {
if (substr_count($_SERVER['HTTP_ACCEPT_ENCODING'], 'gzip')) {
ob_start('ob_gzhandler');
} else {
ob_start();
}
}
add_action('init', 'enable_gzip_compression');
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Every WordPress developer runs into issues. Here are solutions to the most common problems.
Debug Mode Setup
// In wp-config.php
define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);
// Custom error logging
function custom_error_log($message) {
if (WP_DEBUG === true) {
error_log(print_r($message, true));
}
}
Memory and Execution Time
// Increase memory limit
ini_set('memory_limit', '256M');
// Increase execution time
ini_set('max_execution_time', 300);
// Check current limits
function check_system_limits() {
echo 'Memory Limit: ' . ini_get('memory_limit') . '<br>';
echo 'Max Execution Time: ' . ini_get('max_execution_time') . '<br>';
echo 'WordPress Memory Limit: ' . WP_MEMORY_LIMIT . '<br>';
}
Quick Reference: Most Used Functions
Here’s a rapid-fire list of functions you’ll use constantly:
Post Functions:
the_title()– Display post titlethe_content()– Display post contentthe_excerpt()– Display post excerptthe_permalink()– Display post URLget_the_ID()– Get current post ID
Theme Functions:
get_header()– Include header templateget_footer()– Include footer templateget_sidebar()– Include sidebar templateget_template_part()– Include template part
URL Functions:
home_url()– Get home URLsite_url()– Get site URLadmin_url()– Get admin URLget_template_directory_uri()– Get theme directory URL
Wrapping Up: Your WordPress Cheat Sheet and Code Snippets
There you have it – your comprehensive WordPress cheat sheet that covers everything from basic functions to advanced customizations. I’ve tried to include the snippets that I find myself reaching for repeatedly in real-world projects.
The key to becoming a more efficient WordPress developer isn’t memorizing every single function (that’s impossible anyway), but knowing where to find reliable, tested code snippets when you need them. Bookmark this guide, and don’t hesitate to refer back to it whenever you’re working on a WordPress project.
Remember, WordPress development is constantly evolving. New features, security updates, and best practices emerge regularly. While these snippets will serve you well, always stay curious and keep learning. The WordPress community is incredibly supportive, and there are always new techniques to discover.
What’s your go-to WordPress snippet that I might have missed? Every developer has those favorite pieces of code that make their workflow smoother. Feel free to share your essential snippets – we’re all in this together, making the web a better place one WordPress site at a time.
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