Tag: Plugin Development

  • Why Developer Experience Matters in Plugin UX

    Why Developer Experience Matters in Plugin UX

    When we talk about plugin UX, we usually think about the end user. Is the UI intuitive? Does the feature solve the user’s problem? Is the performance snappy? All valid questions—but often, we forget one critical piece: the developer’s experience building and maintaining that plugin.

    Developer Experience (DX) isn’t just an internal concern—it has a direct impact on the quality and longevity of the plugin itself. And, if you’re working on something meant to be extended, forked, or reused, it’s part of your user experience too.

    Let’s talk about why.


    1. DX Affects Product Velocity

    If your plugin’s internal architecture is a mess—spaghetti code, no tests, unclear function names—it slows everything down. New features take longer, bugs are harder to fix, and onboarding new devs feels like hazing.

    A good DX means:

    • Clear, modular code
    • Logical file structure
    • Sensible abstractions
    • Realistic documentation

    When your devs enjoy working with the codebase, they build faster. They ship better.


    2. Poor DX Leaks Into UX

    Ever noticed how plugins with great UX often feel “tight”? Transitions make sense. Settings are where you expect them. Little things feel polished.

    That’s rarely an accident.

    It’s usually a result of developers not fighting the code. When devs don’t waste brainpower decoding an outdated logic branch or jumping between unrelated files, they have more energy to focus on experience—the real UX.


    3. A Plugin is a Platform (Sometimes)

    If you’re building something extensible—whether it’s hooks, filters, or a custom API—then your developers are your users.

    You owe them:

    • Stable APIs
    • Clear documentation
    • Thoughtful design patterns
    • Predictable upgrade paths

    If you treat third-party devs as second-class citizens, they’ll treat your plugin the same. Or worse—they’ll fork it and never look back.


    4. DX is a Retention Strategy

    In open source, contributors often come and go. But good DX can keep people around.

    I’ve seen projects thrive because the dev experience was delightful. Clean code, welcoming docs, a sense that someone cared.

    It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being thoughtful.

    I always ask myself: “If I came back to this code in six months, would I thank Past Me or curse him out?”


    5. Better DX = Fewer Bugs = Happier Users

    This one’s simple math.

    Fewer WTFs per file = Fewer mistakes
    Fewer mistakes = Fewer bugs
    Fewer bugs = Happier users

    Improving developer experience is one of the most high-leverage things you can do for plugin UX. But it’s often invisible—until it’s missing.


    Final Thoughts

    If you care about your plugin’s users, you have to care about the experience of the people building it.

    DX isn’t a side quest. It’s part of the core loop. And when you get it right, everyone wins.

    Even (especially) Future You.

  • How to Onboard a New Developer to Your Plugin Codebase

    How to Onboard a New Developer to Your Plugin Codebase

    Bringing a new developer into your plugin project can go one of two ways: smooth and productive—or completely chaotic.

    I’ve seen both.

    Whether you’re working on a public WordPress plugin or a custom solution for a client, onboarding a new dev isn’t just about giving them access to the repo and saying “good luck.” It’s about giving them clarity, confidence, and context.

    Here’s how I do it now—and what I wish I had done sooner.


    1. Set the Stage: Explain the Plugin’s Purpose

    Before diving into any code, I always walk through why the plugin exists. What problem does it solve? Who are the users? What’s the long-term goal?

    Too often, devs are thrown into a project and only understand the what, not the why. That leads to narrow thinking and missed opportunities for improvement.

    Even a short video or a quick explainer document helps give a mental model of the plugin’s architecture and intent.


    2. Provide a Dev-Ready Environment

    Don’t make new devs spend hours figuring out how to spin up the environment.

    If you’re using Docker, share the commands and prebuilt configs. If you’re on a local dev tool like Local or Lando, make sure setup steps are documented. Add a README.md with installation steps that actually work.

    The faster a new dev gets to running code, the sooner they start contributing.


    3. Map Out the Architecture

    Your plugin probably has its own structure—maybe includes/, assets/, templates/, etc.

    I usually include a brief “file structure” doc with one-liners explaining what lives where. Example:

    /includes/classes/ → main plugin logic  
    /includes/hooks/ → custom hooks and filters  
    /templates/ → frontend output  

    It’s basic, but it orients people quickly.

    Bonus points if you document how custom post types, taxonomies, or meta fields are registered and used.


    4. Document Common Workflows

    Are there scripts for releasing new versions? Conventions for submitting PRs? Gotchas when building new features?

    If you’ve been working solo, you’ve probably internalized all this. But to a new dev, it’s tribal (yes tribal, not trivial) knowledge.

    I keep a CONTRIBUTING.md file with:

    • Branching strategy
    • PR review process
    • Linting rules
    • Deployment steps

    Even if you’re not running a large team, this makes life easier for you and your new dev.


    5. Pair on One Task

    After the walkthrough and docs, I always sit down (virtually or in person, I mostly do it virtually using Google Meet, Zoom or a similar service) and pair on a small task. Nothing huge—maybe a bug fix or a tiny feature tweak.

    It’s not about the code. It’s about watching how they approach things, answering questions in real-time, and catching any disconnects before they grow.

    That one session can shortcut days of confusion.


    6. Encourage Questions (and Capture the Good Ones)

    New developers ask great questions—ones you’ve stopped thinking about long ago. Instead of brushing them off, I treat them like gold.

    If they ask something insightful, I update the docs. That way, every new hire makes the process better for the next.


    7. Give Them Ownership Early

    Once the new dev is up to speed, I assign something meaningful. Not just small bugs, but a feature or enhancement where they can leave their mark.

    That sense of ownership builds momentum. And nothing motivates like being trusted.


    Final Thought: Onboarding Is an Ongoing Investment

    Yes, it takes time. But good onboarding pays dividends. Developers become confident contributors instead of code tourists. They build faster, break less, and stay longer.

    Treat onboarding like part of your dev workflow—not a one-time checklist. Your future self (and your team) will thank you.