How to create a WordPress shortcode plugin?

It is pretty easy to roll out a WordPress plugin that adds a shortcode.

Creating a WordPress shortcode plugin

Here are the basic steps:

  1. Create a new file called MyPlugin.php
  2. Add this code:
    <?php
    /*
    Plugin Name: <Your Plugin Name>
    Version: 1.0
    Plugin URI: tba
    Description:
    Author: <your name>
    Author URI: <your web site>
    */
    
      function handleShortcode( $atts, $content ) {
        return "Hello, World!";
      }
    
      $test = add_shortcode( 'my-shortcode', 'handleShortcode' );
    
    ?>
    
  3. Upload (or copy) MyPlugin.php to the /wp-content/plugins/ directory in your WordPress install.

Using a WordPress shortcode plugin

  1. Start a new Post
  2. type in the following:

    [my-shortcode]

  3. Click Preview.

Your post should have replaced your shortcode with “Hello, Word!”.

A better WordPress shortcode plugin template

While the above is all you need, a more scalable solution might involve using classes. Here is a template that uses classes.

<?php
/*
Plugin Name: <Your Plugin Name>
Version: 1.0
Plugin URI: tba
Description:
Author: <your name>
Author URI: <your web site>
*/

// A class to manage your plugin
class MyPlugin {
 
  public function MyPlugin( $shortCodeHandler ) {
    $result = add_shortcode( 'my-shortcode', array( $shortCodeHandler, 'handleShortcode' ) );
  }
 
}
 
// A class to handle your shortcode
class ShortCodeHandler {
 
  public function handleShortcode( $atts, $content ) {
    return "Hello, World";
  }
 
}
 
$shortCodeHandler = new ShortCodeHandler();
$plugin = new MyPlugin( $shortCodeHandler );

?>

One Comment

  1. www.hermagazinehotsprings.com

    How to create a WordPress shortcode plugin? | Rhyous

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