Plugins are tools to extend the functionality of WordPress. The core of WordPress is designed to be lean, to maximize flexibility and minimize code bloat. Plugins offer custom functions and features so that each user can tailor their site to their specific needs.

This article is a comprehensive list of resources related to plugins and plugin development.

General Plugin References

• Managing Plugins – How to find, install, manage, and troubleshoot plugins
• Plugins – WordPress plugin list, and links to other plugin repositories
• Plugins/Plugin Compatibility – List of which plugins are compatible with which versions of WordPress

Plugin Development Basics

• Writing a Plugin – the Best starting place for learning about how to develop Plugins
• Plugin Developer Handbook – A resource for all things WordPress plugins.
• I18n for WordPress Developers – Internationalization, including a section on how to internationalize your plugin
• Plugin API – Description of how to use Hooks (Actions and Filters) in your Plugins, and WordPress functions that plugins can override.
• Adding Administration Menus – How to add management menus to your plugin
• Plugin Submission and Promotion – Once you have written your plugin, here are some hints on distributing it widely
• Migrating Plugins and Themes – Contains information on how to upgrade your Plugin so it will work from version to version of WordPress
• Determining Plugin and Content Directories – Example code and explanation of how to determine where your plugin files/folders will be in relation to the server and WordPress install.

External Resources:

• Your First WordPress Plugin (video demonstration)
• Writing a WordPress Plugin Part I and Part II
• Make WordPress Plugins – the official blog with information for plugin authors
• Create A Simple WordPress Plugin
• WordPress plugin ‘readme.txt’ file generator