Generating a Plugin from WPCodeBox
WPCodeBox allows you to generate standalone plugins based on selected code snippets. This feature is ideal when you want to package specific functionality into a plugin that does not depend on WPCodeBox for management.
Key Features
- Standalone Plugin Creation: Create a new plugin by selecting the snippets you want to include. The resulting plugin is independent of WPCodeBox.
- Selective Snippet Packaging: Choose which snippets to include in the generated plugin for fine-grained control over the functionality provided by your plugin.
- Avoiding Conflicts: Do not activate the generated plugin on a site where the same snippets are already running in WPCodeBox, as this could cause conflicts or errors.
How to Generate a Plugin
- Click on "Generate Plugin":
- Click on the "Generate Plugin" option above the snippet list.
- Select Snippets in WPCodeBox:
- Choose the snippets you want to include in the plugin.
- Download and Install the Plugin:
- Download the generated plugin ZIP file and install it on the desired WordPress site.
- Activate the Plugin:
- Activate the plugin through the WordPress admin panel. Make sure WPCodeBox is not running the same snippets to avoid conflicts.
Best Practices
- Test the Generated Plugin Separately: Before using it on a live site, test the generated plugin in a staging environment.
- Avoid Duplicate Snippets: Do not activate the generated plugin on sites where WPCodeBox is managing the same snippets, as it can lead to conflicts.
- Document Changes Manually: Since the generated plugin is not editable with WPCodeBox, any further changes will need to be made directly in the plugin's code.
Differences Between Generated Plugins and the Functionality Plugin
- Functionality Plugin:
- Allows continued management of snippets through WPCodeBox and keeps snippets running even if WPCodeBox is deactivated.
- Snippet changes made in WPCodeBox will be reflected in the FP.
- Generated Plugins:
- Are standalone and independent of WPCodeBox.
- Cannot be edited or updated through WPCodeBox after generation.