WordPress Plugin Review Process
The WordPress Plugin Review Process is a crucial mechanism established by the WordPress community to ensure the quality, security, and compatibility of plugins submitted to the WordPress Plugin Directory. Here's an overview of how this process works:
Historical Context
The process has evolved over time to adapt to the growing ecosystem of WordPress plugins. Initially, the review was less formal, but with the increase in plugin submissions and the need for better quality control, a more structured approach was implemented:
- Early Days: Plugins were reviewed by a small group of volunteers. There was no formal process, and reviews were often ad-hoc.
- 2011-2012: Introduction of the Plugin Review Team, which formalized the process to some extent.
- 2014 onwards: The process saw several updates to streamline and clarify requirements, including the introduction of automated checks.
Current Review Process
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Submission: Developers submit their plugin through the WordPress.org developer dashboard. They must adhere to the WordPress Plugin Guidelines.
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Automated Checks: The plugin goes through an automated check for basic compatibility and coding standards. Issues like PHP notices, warnings, or outdated code practices are flagged here.
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Manual Review: If the plugin passes the automated checks, it enters the manual review queue. Here:
- The reviewer checks for adherence to WordPress coding standards, proper use of WordPress APIs, and compliance with plugin guidelines.
- Security vulnerabilities, licensing issues, and potential conflicts with other plugins or themes are assessed.
- Readme files, banners, and icons are reviewed for correctness and clarity.
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Feedback and Iteration: If there are issues, the reviewer provides feedback to the developer. Developers can then revise their plugin and resubmit for review. This cycle can repeat until the plugin meets all criteria.
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Approval and Deployment: Once approved, the plugin is made available in the WordPress Plugin Directory for public use. Updates follow a similar but often faster review process.
Key Considerations
- Time Frame: The review process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the complexity of the plugin and the current queue length.
- Community Involvement: The review team consists of volunteers from the WordPress community, which ensures diverse expertise but also introduces variability in review speed and thoroughness.
- Updates: Plugin updates are typically reviewed quicker than initial submissions but still follow a similar process.
External Links
Here are related topics or concepts: