WordPress powers over 40% of the web, making it the world’s most popular content management system (CMS). Whether you’re building custom themes or developing powerful plugins, understanding the core structure and best practices of WordPress development is essential. This cheat sheet offers a concise yet comprehensive guide for beginners and experienced developers alike, covering must-know hooks, functions, file structures, and tips to streamline your workflow in 2025.
1. WordPress Theme Development Essentials
🔧 Basic Theme File Structure
your-theme/
├── style.css
├── index.php
├── functions.php
├── header.php
├── footer.php
├── sidebar.php
├── page.php
├── single.php
├── archive.php
└── 404.php
🏷 Required Style.css Header
/*
Theme Name: My Custom Theme
Theme URI: https://example.com
Author: Your Name
Author URI: https://example.com
Description: A modern responsive theme
Version: 1.0
License: GNU General Public License v2 or later
*/🔌 Enqueueing Scripts and Styles
function mytheme_enqueue_assets() {
wp_enqueue_style('style', get_stylesheet_uri());
wp_enqueue_script('main-js', get_template_directory_uri() . '/js/main.js', array(), '1.0', true);
}
add_action('wp_enqueue_scripts', 'mytheme_enqueue_assets');
2. WordPress Plugin Development Basics
📁 Plugin File Structure
my-plugin/
├── my-plugin.php
├── includes/
├── assets/
└── readme.txt
🧩 Plugin Header Example
<?php
/*
Plugin Name: My Custom Plugin
Plugin URI: https://example.com/plugin
Description: Adds custom functionality
Version: 1.0
Author: Your Name
Author URI: https://example.com
License: GPL2
*/
🔗 Hooking Into Actions and Filters
// Action Hook
add_action('init', 'my_custom_function');
function my_custom_function() {
// Custom code here
}
// Filter Hook
add_filter('the_content', 'modify_content');
function modify_content($content) {
return $content . '<p>Extra content added!</p>';
}
3. Must-Know WordPress Functions
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
get_header() |
Loads header.php |
get_footer() |
Loads footer.php |
wp_enqueue_script() |
Adds JavaScript files |
add_action() |
Hooks into WordPress actions |
add_filter() |
Modifies filters like content |
get_template_part() |
Includes partial templates |
register_post_type() |
Creates custom post types |
add_shortcode() |
Registers shortcodes |
wp_nonce_field() |
Generates security fields for forms |
4. Developer Tips for 2025
- Use Block Theme Development (FSE + block.json)
- Follow WordPress Coding Standards
- Implement OOP in Plugins for modularity
- Secure your code (sanitize, escape, validate)
- Use Composer & PSR-4 Autoloading
- Leverage WP-CLI for faster development
- Test across browsers and the Gutenberg editor
5. Resources for Further Learning
- WordPress Developer Handbook
- Theme Developer Handbook
- Plugin Developer Handbook
- WP Coding Standards
- WP-CLI Guide
Conclusion: This cheat sheet serves as a go-to resource for WordPress developers looking to build and maintain high-quality themes and plugins efficiently in 2025. By following best practices and leveraging modern tools, you can deliver fast, secure, and scalable WordPress solutions.
