Design and Development

wordpress github workflow for Local Development to Staging Site

September 25, 2023

8 min read

wordpress github workflow for Local Development to Staging Site

With the growing influx of contributors in open source projects, the significance of streamlined version control cannot be overstated. Effective version control serves as a linchpin, ensuring clarity, preventing confusion, and delivering the most recent and refined versions of projects to end-users. The landscape of WordPress development has rapidly evolved to incorporate globally distributed teams, […]

The landscape of WordPress development has rapidly evolved to incorporate globally distributed teams, where robust version control mechanisms and seamless code access processes have become imperative for the team’s fluid functionality. The advent of diverse Git platforms like GitHub and BitBucket has significantly streamlined the WordPress development workflow.

While the concept of version control has existed for decades, tools like Git have been available for quite some time, yet the implementation and understanding of version control using Git can still pose challenges to users. This article endeavors to spotlight the advantages of leveraging GitHub and elucidates the integration of WordPress with GitHub to facilitate a seamless and efficient development workflow.

Advantages of Using GitHub With WordPress

GitHub stands as a repository tool catering to developers who host their code online, be it public or private, fostering collaboration among users. It serves as a platform for sharing code, encouraging collaborative efforts across diverse projects. What advantages does GitHub offer? To showcase the efficiency of this platform, here are its key benefits:

Version Tracking: Enables meticulous version control.
Multiple Backups: Facilitates multiple backups of code.
Effortless Sharing: Simplifies the sharing of work.
Enhanced Collaboration: Encourages seamless team collaboration.
Community Building: Fosters social relationships among developers.
Profile Development: Allows individuals to build their professional profiles.

How to Use WordPress and GitHub?

In response to numerous user queries, I’ve crafted an ultimate guide on WordPress GitHub integration, designed to systematically assist in managing WordPress projects.

Covering two major scenarios in WordPress development, this guide provides comprehensive steps for seamlessly integrating your WordPress site with GitHub. Let’s explore the processes for both a live environment and a local environment.

WordPress and GitHub: Live Environment

Assuming you have a live WordPress site on a hosting server, this scenario involves pushing files directly to a GitHub repository, facilitating effortless collaboration among developers. Follow these steps to create a development environment and deploy changes to the live site.

Create a Repository on GitHub:

- - Log in to GitHub and create a new repository.
  - Name your repository, add a description, set access control (e.g., Public), and click “Create repository.”

Push Live WordPress Files to GitHub Repository:

- - Launch the server SSH Terminal (Cloudways Platform).
  - Navigate to the WordPress folder path.
  - Initialize an empty Git repository using git init.
  - Add all files to the local GitHub repository with git add ..
  - Switch to the master branch using git checkout -b master.
  - Commit changes with git commit -m “first commit”.
  - Set your Git user email and name if prompted.

Connect GitHub with Live Environment:

- Add the GitHub repository URL with git remote add origin [repository URL].
- Push all files to the GitHub repository with git push origin master.
- Enter your GitHub username and password when prompted.

If encountering errors, use rm -rf .git/ to remove the file and repeat the commands.

WordPress and GitHub: Local Environment

When dealing with a local environment and wanting to push WordPress files to the GitHub repository, follow these steps:

Create a Repository on GitHub (Same as Step 1 above):

- - Log in to GitHub and create a new repository.

Push Local WordPress Files to GitHub Repository:

- Navigate to your local WordPress folder.
- Initialize a Git repository with git init.
- Add files and commit changes similar to the live environment steps.
- Set your Git user email and name if prompted.
- Add the GitHub repository URL with git remote add origin [repository URL].
- Push all files to the GitHub repository with git push origin master.
- Enter your GitHub username and password when prompted.

This comprehensive guide ensures a seamless integration of WordPress with GitHub, enhancing collaboration, version control, and streamlined development workflows.

Note: If your repository is public, it’s advisable to delete the wp-config.php file from the GitHub repository as it contains credentials for your WordPress application. You can edit it directly on the live site.

Successfully Pushed to GitHub

After completing the previous steps, check your GitHub repository – congratulations! You’ve successfully pushed your WordPress files.

Step 3: Install Git

Now, to pull your files from GitHub to your local PC, you need to download and install Git on your local system.

Download and Install Git:

- Download and install Git on your local machine.

Step 4: Pull to Local Folder from GitHub Repository

After installing Git, let’s start pulling files and folders to a local folder.

Create a Folder and Open Git Bash:

- - Create a folder, right-click, and choose “Git Bash Here” to open a command prompt-like window.

Enter Git Commands:

- Run the following commands one by one:

bashCopy code

git init
git add .
git remote add origin https://github.com/farhanayub/GitHub.git
/* Replace the URL with your own */
git pull origin master

This process may take time based on your connection speed and the size of your WordPress repository.

Verify Files in Local WordPress Folder:

- Once the process finishes, check your local WordPress folder – you’ll see that all the files from the GitHub repo have been pulled successfully.

Step 5: Build Development Environment on the Local Machine

Now, let’s create a development environment for WordPress and GitHub on the local machine. Install Sublime Text and a GitHub package called GitSavvy.

Install Sublime Text:

- - Download and install the latest version of Sublime Text editor.

Install GitSavvy Package:

- Open the Command Palette (CTRL+SHIFT+P) or navigate to Tools → Command Palette.
- Search for “Install Package” and press enter.
- Search and install GitSavvy.

Step 6: Connect Sublime Text to GitHub

Connect Sublime Text with GitHub to easily push changes from the local environment to the WordPress repository on GitHub.

Open WordPress Folder in Sublime Text:

- - Go to File → Open Folder and open your local WordPress folder in Sublime Text.

Edit a File to Test:

- To test the environment, edit a file (e.g., wp-login.php) by adding echo “Hello World!”; at the top below <?php and save it.

By following these steps, you’ve successfully integrated your WordPress environment with GitHub, established a development setup, and connected Sublime Text for efficient collaboration and version control.

Adding Code

To initialize GitHub on Sublime Text, access the Command Palette, search for “status,” and execute the command git: status.

This command performs a comparison between the local folder and the GitHub repository, identifying files that have been modified.

You’ll notice that wp-login.php is currently in unstaged mode. To perform actions on this file, such as staging, committing, and pushing to the GitHub repository, you must first stage the file.

Press “S” to stage the file, and upon checking the status with git: status, you’ll observe that the file has moved to staged mode.

To commit this change, press “C.” A new tab will appear, allowing you to describe the changes made in the wp-login.php file. Write your commit message at the top and press CTRL+ENTER to submit the commit.

Note: It may prompt you for your name and email to submit the commit under your credentials.

Step 7: Push from Local to GitHub

Sublime Text needs to be informed about the repository to which the changes will be pushed. Utilize the git: remote add command to set the remote URL.

Once connected to the GitHub repository, use git: push to push the changes. Select “origin” and the “master” branch.

Note: If you’re not logged into your GitHub account, it might request you to log in.

Step 8: Connect GitHub with Live Environment

After linking Sublime Text to GitHub, proceed to your Cloudways account and access the WordPress application. In the dashboard’s left panel, navigate to “Deployment via Git” and click on “Generate SSH Keys.”

Click on “VIEW SSH KEY” and download the SSH Keys.

Return to the GitHub repository, head to Settings → Deploy Keys → Add Deploy Key, set the title, and input the downloaded SSH Keys.

Ensure the “Allow write access” checkbox is marked for exchanging changes.

In your GitHub repository, under the Code tab, copy the SSH Key and ensure “use SSH” is selected.

Back on the Cloudways Platform, under “Deployment via Git,” paste the SSH Key into the “Git Remote Address” field. Click “Authenticate” and select the branch of your Git repository (e.g., master).

Connecting Cloudways and GitHub

The deployment path remains empty as I intend to link the WordPress application’s public_html folder with the GitHub repository. Click on “Start Deployment” to establish the Cloudways Platform’s connection with GitHub.

Once the process is completed, you’ll receive a notification at the top right corner of the screen indicating successful repository cloning.

Step 9: Pull Changes to a Live Environment from GitHub

With all configurations set up and functioning smoothly, it’s time to pull changes from the GitHub repository to the WordPress site on Cloudways.

Access your application from the Cloudways platform, then navigate to “Application Management” → “Deployment via Git,” and hit the “Pull” button.

Voila! All changes have been successfully updated on the live site. Here’s a glimpse of how they look.

Why Isn’t The Pull Automated?

The manual process of pulling changes might seem cumbersome, but it’s intentional to prevent accidental unwanted pushes to the GitHub repo. It’s advisable to initiate a Pull request only when confident about applying changes to the live site.

While the setup for the live environment may appear complex initially, once configured correctly, it simplifies to making changes in the local WordPress folder using Sublime Text, pushing to GitHub, and Pulling on the live site.

WordPress and GitHub: Local Environment

In the second scenario, you’re working on your local machine and aiming to push your WordPress files to the GitHub repository.

Assuming you have a ready local setup (if not, here’s a comprehensive guide to assist you), let’s begin!

Step 1: Download and Install Git

Start by downloading and installing Git on your local machine. Choose the version compatible with your operating system for installation.

Step 2: Sign in to GitHub and Create a New Repository

Once Git is installed, log in to your GitHub account and navigate to “Repositories” → “New.”

After reaching this section, fill in the required fields and click on “Create repository.”

Step 3: Push WordPress files from the local environment to GitHub

To illustrate this process, I’ll push the local WordPress theme files (specifically, the Twenty Twenty theme) to the newly created GitHub repository.

Navigate to the WordPress theme folder, right-click to access the context menu, and select “Git Bash Here.”

A command prompt window will open, allowing you to input the following commands:

bashCopy code

git init
git add .
git commit -m “first commit”
git remote add origin https://github.com/farhanayub/MyWordPress.git
git push -u origin master

Step 4: Check GitHub Repository

Head over to GitHub and refresh the repository page. Upon checking, you’ll see that all the theme files (specifically, the Twenty Twenty theme) have been successfully pushed to this GitHub repository.

Summary

GitHub integration for WordPress proves to be beneficial, whether you’re working solo or within a team. The seamless integration simplifies collaboration, allowing you and your team members to work in real-time, track changes, and test code before implementing them on your WordPress site. This overview covered two scenarios: working with both live and local environments of WordPress and GitHub. If you have any queries, feel free to ask in the comments below. Additionally, you can explore Cloudways API to learn more about cloning a GitHub repository.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the best GitHub plugins for WordPress?

When it comes to integrating GitHub with WordPress, several plugins enhance functionality and streamline processes. Here are some of the best and widely used GitHub plugins for WordPress:

GitHub Embed:

- - Allows you to embed GitHub Gists and repositories directly into your WordPress posts or pages.

WordPress GitHub Sync:

- - Enables seamless synchronization between your WordPress site and GitHub repositories, ensuring your content is up-to-date.

Git Updater:

- Simplifies the process of updating themes and plugins by integrating with GitHub repositories, providing a convenient way to manage your WordPress assets.

Q. How do I create a WordPress repository on GitHub?

Creating a WordPress repository on GitHub is a straightforward process. Follow these steps:

Sign up/log in to a GitHub account:

- - If you don’t have a GitHub account, sign up. If you’re already registered, log in to your account.

Create a new repository:

- - Navigate to the “Repositories” section and click on “New.” Provide a name for your repository, such as “WordPress.”

Push WordPress site files:

- Push your WordPress site files to the GitHub repository using Git commands, establishing a link between your local WordPress environment and GitHub.

Q. How do I deploy WordPress to GitHub?

Deploying a WordPress site to GitHub involves a series of steps. Here’s a simplified guide:

Download and install Git:

- - Install Git on your desktop to facilitate version control and interaction with GitHub.

Sign in to GitHub and create a new repository:

- - Follow the steps mentioned earlier to log in to GitHub and create a new repository for your WordPress project.

Push WordPress files from the local environment to GitHub:

- - Utilize Git commands to push your WordPress files from the local environment to the GitHub repository.

Check GitHub repository:

- Verify the successful upload of your WordPress files by checking your GitHub repository.

Q. Are there any security considerations when integrating WordPress with GitHub?

Ensuring a secure integration between WordPress and GitHub is crucial. Here are some security considerations to keep in mind:

Confidentiality of sensitive data:

- - Protect sensitive information, such as API keys or database credentials, from exposure.

Proper file permissions:

- - Set appropriate file permissions to restrict unauthorized access to critical files and directories.

Safety of plugins and themes:

- - Regularly update and audit plugins and themes to eliminate vulnerabilities and enhance security.

Rigorous code review:

- - Conduct thorough code reviews to identify and rectify potential security issues before deployment.

Encrypted communications:

- - Use secure, encrypted communication channels, especially when transmitting sensitive data between WordPress and GitHub.

Regular backups:

- Implement a robust backup strategy to ensure data recovery in the event of security breaches or data loss.

Q. What is the process for syncing changes between WordPress and GitHub?

Syncing changes between WordPress and GitHub involves several steps to maintain a harmonious development environment. Here’s a detailed process:

Initiate Git in your WordPress:

- - Initialize a Git repository within your WordPress project to commence version control.

Link your WordPress repo to GitHub:

- - Establish a connection between your local WordPress repository and the corresponding GitHub repository.

Push WordPress files to GitHub:

- - Utilize Git commands to push your WordPress files to the GitHub repository, ensuring synchronization.

Deploy updates to your WordPress site:

- - Deploy the updates made in the GitHub repository to your live WordPress site, implementing the changes seamlessly.

Fetch changes from GitHub to your WordPress:

- - Periodically fetch changes from the GitHub repository to your local WordPress environment to stay updated.

Resolve any conflicts:

- In case of conflicts between changes made in WordPress and GitHub, resolve them by carefully merging or choosing the appropriate version.

By following these steps, you maintain a coherent workflow, ensuring that your WordPress and GitHub environments stay in sync with each other.

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Design and Development

The Ultimate Guide to Automated WordPress Deployments

September 25, 2023

8 min read

The Ultimate Guide to Automated WordPress Deployments

Automating WordPress Deployment: A Comprehensive Guide In the realm of content management systems (CMS) and web applications, deploying WordPress can often be a labyrinthine process. Mistakes like missing files during an upload can trigger errors, incorrectly migrating databases can lead to data loss, and moving extensive libraries of media files can consume a significant amount […]

Automating WordPress Deployment: A Comprehensive Guide

In the realm of content management systems (CMS) and web applications, deploying WordPress can often be a labyrinthine process. Mistakes like missing files during an upload can trigger errors, incorrectly migrating databases can lead to data loss, and moving extensive libraries of media files can consume a significant amount of time. In any of these cases, your website may become temporarily unusable, a scenario that is far from ideal in an era where “always available” is the expectation.

In this comprehensive tutorial, we will delve into the world of automated WordPress deployment. We’ll cover everything you need to know to streamline your deployment process, including essential preparations and four distinct methods for automating your WordPress deployments.

Why Opt for Automated Deployments?

In the not-so-distant past, deploying websites manually, typically involving FTP clients and phpMyAdmin, was the norm. However, manual deployment is a process prone to errors. A single mistake can force you to restart the deployment from scratch, increasing the risk of downtime.

This is where automated deployments come into play. Automating the entire deployment process involves enabling a computer to execute all the necessary steps automatically and sequentially.

The advantages of automating your deployment process, as highlighted in The Twelve-Factor App, particularly in factor five, Build, release, run, include:

Reducing Human Error: Eliminate the potential for human error during deployment.
Consistency Across Environments: Ensure that deployments are consistent across various environments.
Enhancing Reliability: Increase the reliability of deployments.
Minimizing Downtime: Decrease or eliminate downtime during deployments.
Error Detection and Rollback: Facilitate error detection and easy rollback in case of deployment issues.
Accessible to Anyone: Enable anyone to execute deployments without extensive training.
Deployment to Multiple Locations: Facilitate deployment to different locations or multiple environments.
Frequent Deployments: Promote more frequent deployments, keeping your site up-to-date.

As a general rule, automated deployments should be characterized by consistency, reliability, and repeatability.

Preparing Your WordPress Site for Automation

Before diving into the world of automated deployments, there are several critical steps to consider to ensure that your WordPress deployments are indeed consistent, reliable, and repeatable. These steps include:

Storing Your Codebase in a Git Repository

Git Repository Hosting: Host your site’s codebase on a platform accessible to the deployment process, such as GitHub, Bitbucket, or GitLab.
Development Workflow: Establish a development workflow that includes feature branches for code review, testing on a staging environment, and merging into a production-ready branch.
Composer Integration: Utilize Composer with WordPress Packagist to manage WordPress core, plugins, and themes as dependencies.
Subdirectory Installation: Install WordPress core in a subdirectory of your public web root for a cleaner directory structure and enhanced security.
Secure Configuration: Ensure that sensitive configuration files, like wp-config.php, are not stored in the Git repository or placed in the public web root directory.

Additionally, you can further optimize your workflow by creating a .gitignore file to specify which files and folders to exclude from your Git repository.

Leveraging a Composer-Powered WordPress Boilerplate

If you’re wondering about the most efficient way to set up a new WordPress GitHub repository for your projects, complete with WordPress core, themes, and plugins installed as dependencies, while adhering to best practices and configurations, consider using a predefined boilerplate. This approach simplifies the setup process and saves valuable time.

For this purpose, we’ve developed the SpinupWP Composer Site repository. It offers a straightforward method to initiate a new WordPress repository with WordPress core in a subdirectory and themes and plugins as dependencies. Furthermore, it supports .env files, eliminating the need for manual wp-config.php management.

Disabling FTP Access and File Editing

To ensure the integrity of your automated deployments, it’s imperative to disable FTP access and file editing in your production environment. These actions serve multiple purposes:

Protection Against Data Loss: Prevent inadvertent file edits during deployments, safeguarding your data.
Enforce Best Practices: Discourage direct file editing on production, promoting a development-first approach.

To disable FTP access, restrict file editing, and enhance security, add the following constant to your wp-config.php file:

php

define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);

Managing Auto-Updates

Auto-updates in WordPress can be a double-edged sword, especially when employing Composer to manage your WordPress site. Disabling auto-updates might seem like a prudent choice to prevent unexpected conflicts and bugs that can arise when dependencies update automatically. However, it comes with potential security risks.

Here’s a nuanced approach:

For most WordPress sites, it’s advisable to leave auto-updates enabled. This ensures prompt installation of security updates, reducing the vulnerability window.
If you decide to manage updates through your automated deployment process, you can disable all auto-updates by adding the following constant to your wp-config.php file:

php

define('AUTOMATIC_UPDATER_DISABLED', true);

Deploying the Database

Ensuring your codebase is in optimal condition for deployment is crucial, but what about your database? Deploying databases can be a tricky endeavor, particularly for subsequent changes or updates, as overwriting data accidentally is a genuine concern. To address this challenge, consider adopting a database migrations approach.

Key benefits of using database migrations include:

Control Over Database Changes: You maintain full control over database schema changes.
Collaborative Development: Multiple developers can contribute to or modify the database schema.
Testing and Error Prevention: Automated tests can validate the database changes, minimizing the risk of errors.
Rollback Capability: In case of issues, you can quickly revert to previous database versions.

However, bear in mind that automating data changes within the database should be approached cautiously, especially for substantial datasets. It’s often more practical to manually update data via the WordPress dashboard for such cases.

Handling Media Files

Efficiently managing media files, particularly those related to your WordPress theme, is pivotal to a smooth deployment process. Here are two recommended approaches:

Include Theme-Related Media: Add media files necessary for your design (such as images and videos) to your version control system (VCS). Exclude media files intended for the live Media Library.To achieve this, specify the path to the uploads directory in the .gitignore file. This ensures that files added to the Media Library during development remain uncommitted, preventing potential overwrites during production deployment.
Offload to Cloud Storage: Alternatively, consider offloading your media files to cloud storage using plugins like WP Offload Media. This approach simplifies media management and minimizes deployment-related concerns.

Deploying Your Site: Four Approaches

With your WordPress site primed and ready, it’s time to explore four different methods for automating your deployments:

1. Manual Deployment Using Git Push

The simplest approach involves using the Git push command to manually deploy your WordPress site. Here’s a brief overview:

Set up a remote Git repository on your web server, mirroring your hosted repository.
Add a Git remote to your local repository, pointing to the server repository.
Push changes from your local branch to the production remote on the server.

This method provides a basic way to deploy your site, but it requires manual execution.

2. Automatic Deployment Using Webhooks

Automating deployment via webhooks eliminates the need for manual pushes. Most repository hosting services offer webhook functionality, allowing you to trigger a deployment on a specific event, such as a Git push.

To set up webhooks:

Configure a webhook in your repository service to send a payload to a designated URL on your web server.
Create a script on your server to handle the payload, perform security checks, and execute a Git pull to fetch the latest code.
Optionally, use a secret key for verification.

Webhooks provide automation benefits but may have limitations, particularly related to permissions and additional tasks beyond code deployment.

3. Automatic Deployment Using SpinupWP’s Push to Deploy Feature

SpinupWP offers a convenient “Push to Deploy” feature that streamlines the deployment process:

Create a new site or configure an existing site with SpinupWP to deploy from a Git repository.
Configure an SSH connection with GitHub.
Enable the “Push to Deploy” toggle and obtain a deployment URL.
Configure this URL in your Git repository as a webhook.

SpinupWP also supports post-deployment scripts, enabling you to automate various tasks, such as installing Composer dependencies or migrating the database.

This approach simplifies deployment for WordPress projects and works seamlessly with the SpinupWP Composer Site repository.

4. Automated Deployment Using Buddy

For more complex deployment scenarios, consider utilizing Buddy, a robust Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) tool:

Buddy supports WordPress deployments and DevOps tools like Docker.
It integrates with third-party services like Slack and New Relic.
You can automate deployment tasks, including notifications, testing, and atomic deployments.

By combining Buddy with SpinupWP, you gain fine-grained control over automated deployments tailored to your specific needs.

Conclusion

Automating your WordPress deployments is a wise investment that frees you from the burden of manual deployment. While manual deployments may offer a sense of accomplishment, they can become tedious and error-prone over time.

By dedicating a few hours to automation, you can save time, reduce costs, and eliminate stress associated with deployments. With a well-orchestrated automated deployment process, you can focus on what you do best: creating and improving your WordPress website without the constant worry of downtime and errors.

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Design and Development

WordPress Development Process Explained in Simple Words

September 25, 2023

8 min read

WordPress Development Process Explained in Simple Words

The Power of WordPress: A Comprehensive Guide to Website Development Introduction Building a website today is easier than ever, thanks to Content Management Systems (CMS). These platforms empower users to create and edit content without any coding knowledge. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the world of website development, focusing on the undisputed […]

The Power of WordPress: A Comprehensive Guide to Website Development

Introduction

Building a website today is easier than ever, thanks to Content Management Systems (CMS). These platforms empower users to create and edit content without any coding knowledge. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the world of website development, focusing on the undisputed king of CMS – WordPress. From laying the groundwork to understanding the development workflow, this guide will equip you with the knowledge needed to create a successful website.

I. The Reign of WordPress

WordPress reigns supreme in the world of website development. With over 34% of all websites powered by WordPress, it’s essential to understand why it stands out as the preferred choice.

II. Groundwork Essentials

Before diving into WordPress development, laying the right groundwork is crucial. This section explores the importance of selecting the right domain name and understanding the evolving WordPress environment.

III. Bringing Ideas to Life

Every successful website starts with a great idea. Learn how to identify problems, potential solutions, and key players in your niche to ensure your website addresses users’ needs effectively.

IV. Setting Up the Development Environment

Creating a solid foundation is essential for professional WordPress development. This section guides you through setting up a development environment that mirrors your staging and production environments.

V. Plugins, Customizations, and Testing

Explore the world of WordPress plugins and customization options to enhance your website’s functionality. Additionally, we’ll delve into the importance of rigorous testing to ensure a seamless user experience.

VI. The WordPress Website Development Process

This section breaks down the WordPress website development process into distinct phases, from project initiation to launching the site, highlighting the importance of each step.

VII. WordPress Development Workflow

Understanding the WordPress development workflow is essential to ensure the quality and efficiency of your project. This section details the two crucial categories: initial build and client testing and bug fixing.

VIII. Estimating Development Time

Discover the factors that influence the time required to develop a WordPress website. From simple blogs to complex e-commerce sites, we’ll provide insights into estimating project timelines.

IX. Why Choose Hidden Brains?

Explore the benefits of partnering with Hidden Brains, a trusted WordPress development services provider. Learn about the custom WordPress solutions and support they offer to elevate your website.

Conclusion

In conclusion, WordPress remains unrivaled as the go-to choice for website development. By following the comprehensive guidance provided in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to embark on your WordPress website development journey. Whether you’re a large business or an aspiring entrepreneur, this guide will empower you to create efficient and successful WordPress websites.

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Design and Development

WordPress development workflow using composer

September 25, 2023

8 min read

WordPress development workflow using composer

Streamlining WordPress Project Setup with Composer Introduction As a seasoned Drupal developer with extensive experience in using Composer, I embarked on a journey to explore the world of WordPress project setup through Composer. The allure of harnessing Composer’s capabilities to enhance WordPress projects was too enticing to resist. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve […]

Streamlining WordPress Project Setup with Composer

Introduction

As a seasoned Drupal developer with extensive experience in using Composer, I embarked on a journey to explore the world of WordPress project setup through Composer. The allure of harnessing Composer’s capabilities to enhance WordPress projects was too enticing to resist. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the intricacies of setting up a WordPress project using Composer, allowing you to leverage the efficiency and flexibility it brings to the table.

The Power of Composer

If you’re familiar with Composer, you already comprehend its prowess in simplifying dependency management through straightforward commands. By adopting Composer, you can judiciously include only the essential code in your repository, preventing the unnecessary clutter of contributed components that can be pulled in as needed.

Navigating the Uncharted Waters

While Composer seamlessly integrates with numerous PHP projects, WordPress doesn’t offer an out-of-the-box solution for Composer-based management. This is where the packages curated by Johnpbloch come to the rescue. They empower you to install WordPress using Composer with remarkable ease by requiring it as a Composer package:

bash

composer require johnpbloch/wordpress:^5.4

For a smoother experience, it is advisable to set “prefer-stable” to true before requiring packages. This will help avoid developmental packages whenever possible.

Exploring the Plugin and Theme Repository

When working with WordPress, plugins and themes are pivotal elements of customization. Fortunately, there’s a dedicated Packagist repository for these essential components, accessible at .To incorporate this repository into your Composer configuration, follow these steps:

json

"repositories": [

{

"type": "composer",

"url": "https://wpackagist.org"

}

],

With the repository integrated, you can effortlessly require any package you need, such as a popular eCommerce plugin like WooCommerce:

bash

composer require wpackagist-plugin/woocommerce

However, this convenience comes with a caveat. The plugins and themes will initially reside in your project’s root folder, necessitating a relocation to their proper destinations. While the “fancyguy/webroot-installer” package is recommended for this task, I personally encountered difficulties making it function as intended. Instead, I turned to the reliable “composer-symlinks” package, configuring it as follows:

json

"extra": {

"symlinks": {

"wp-content/plugins": "wordpress/wp-content/plugins",

"wp-content/themes": "wordpress/wp-content/themes"

}

}

For reference, you can explore the final “composer.json” file for this setup in the following GitHub repository: link.

A Holistic Approach

In an effort to consolidate the project environment, I integrated my local development tool, Chirripo, into this WordPress project. It ensures that all the necessary components reside within the same repository. Please note that stock Chirripo images lack the mysqli and soap extensions, necessitating manual installation as detailed in the README.md file.

Conclusion: Embracing Efficiency

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the WordPress community, managing dependencies using Composer has become a feasible and efficient endeavor. The seamless integration of Composer into WordPress projects offers an array of benefits, making it a valuable addition to your toolkit for future WordPress endeavors. Don’t hesitate to embark on this journey and experience the enhanced efficiency and organization it brings to your WordPress projects.

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Design and Development

An Easy Guide to Creating WordPress Workflow Documentation

September 25, 2023

8 min read

An Easy Guide to Creating WordPress Workflow Documentation

The Power of WordPress Workflow Documentation: A Comprehensive Guide Streamlining WordPress Development for Consistent Success Introduction WordPress workflow documentation is akin to a playbook for professionals in the field. Just as sports teams rely on playbooks to execute strategies flawlessly, web developers can benefit immensely from a well-structured documentation system. This article explores the critical […]

The Power of WordPress Workflow Documentation: A Comprehensive Guide

Streamlining WordPress Development for Consistent Success

Introduction

WordPress workflow documentation is akin to a playbook for professionals in the field. Just as sports teams rely on playbooks to execute strategies flawlessly, web developers can benefit immensely from a well-structured documentation system. This article explores the critical importance of WordPress workflow documentation, uncovering its various benefits and the essential documentation every WordPress business should have. Discover how it brings predictability, compliance, and consistency to your projects, ultimately boosting your efficiency and success.

The Awesome Benefits of Developing WordPress Workflow Documentation

Predictability and Consistency

WordPress workflow documentation forms the bedrock of any successful agency or developer’s processes. It provides structure and predictability, ensuring consistent results. This predictability simplifies goal achievement and leads to increased profit margins.

Compliance Matters

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, compliance is crucial. Whether it’s adhering to PCI standards for e-commerce sites, Google’s SSL certificate requirements, or WordPress coding standards, documentation ensures you never miss these essentials.

Evergreen Versatility

Unlike dated guides, well-structured workflow documentation remains relevant. By adopting an evergreen approach and documenting tried-and-true methods, you maintain a valuable business tool that withstands changing trends and guidelines.

User-Friendly

Creating workflow documentation doesn’t require formal technical writing. It can be as simple as capturing notes, checklists, and specifications using word processing tools, making it accessible and easy to use.

Enhancing Collaboration

For a growing WordPress business employing freelancers, workflow documentation is a game-changer. It facilitates quick onboarding, helping maintain consistency in project execution, whether handled by your team or freelancers.

Essential Workflow Documentation for Your WordPress Business

Every WordPress project is unique, but streamlining your process with essential workflow documentation, even as boilerplate templates, can significantly enhance efficiency. It’s essential to strike a balance between thoroughness and simplicity, focusing on these key areas:

1. Project Kickoff Documentation

This phase-driven documentation includes client contracts, project breakdowns, estimates, timelines, and milestone schedules. Store these agreements in a secure, cloud-based location for easy reference throughout the project.

2. Requirements Gathering Documentation

Define project elements based on research, covering project descriptions, brand personality, user personas, brand style guides, sitemaps, UI and UX design guidelines. These ensure alignment with client goals and branding.

3. Technical Requirements Documentation

Critical for backend stability, this documentation encompasses WordPress coding standards, server requirements, database performance, scripting and programming preferences, version control, and security measures.

4. Front-end Functionality Documentation

To ensure UI/UX consistency and performance, document preferred plugins and themes for common functionalities such as security, performance, backups, SEO, contact forms, and social integration.

5. Copywriting Documentation

Craft guidelines for copywriters to maintain brand voice, avoid prohibited words, optimize for SEO, and structure content effectively. An easy-to-follow checklist ensures consistency.

Tools for Streamlined Documentation

Discover helpful tools for creating and managing your workflow documentation:

PandaDoc Template: Ideal for project kickoff documentation templates, PandaDoc covers proposals, contracts, and invoices.
Google Material Design: Find requirements gathering templates, style guides, UI and UX templates, wireframes, and sitemap planners on Dribbble.
InfiniteWP Client Plugin: Simplify theme and plugin management, especially for agencies handling multiple WordPress sites.
Yoast Analysis: Enhance SEO documentation with Yoast’s SEO checklist within WordPress.

Project Close Documentation

Streamline project closure with a reusable documentation and checklist system. Ensure testing, QA, client reviews, launch preparations, and handover procedures are defined in detail. Tailor this documentation for each project while maintaining a core template to minimize customization efforts.

Conclusion and Continuous Improvement

WordPress workflow documentation serves as your playbook, guiding you through projects for consistent success. Regularly review and update your documentation after each project to enhance efficiency and profitability. With a well-maintained WordPress playbook, your development process becomes streamlined, ensuring clients receive the best outcomes every time.

In conclusion, embracing workflow documentation empowers WordPress professionals to excel in their endeavors, providing the structure needed to deliver exceptional results consistently.

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Design and Development

Our WordPress development workflow and how can we all work from home

September 25, 2023

8 min read

Our WordPress development workflow and how can we all work from home

Achieving Seamless Theme Development and Management Through Effective Project Management Introduction In just a year’s time, our company has undergone a significant transformation, transitioning from a traditional office-based setup to a remote team of skilled developers, designers, and support staff. Throughout this transformative journey, we have consistently delivered high-quality themes without a hitch. How did […]

Achieving Seamless Theme Development and Management Through Effective Project Management

Introduction

In just a year’s time, our company has undergone a significant transformation, transitioning from a traditional office-based setup to a remote team of skilled developers, designers, and support staff. Throughout this transformative journey, we have consistently delivered high-quality themes without a hitch. How did we achieve this remarkable feat? The answer lies in our utilization of exceptional project management software and unwavering discipline.

1. The Power of Effective Project Management Software

Our team’s core members have been part of our journey for nearly 13 years, since 2008. Right from the outset, we recognized the importance of using project management software to streamline our operations. While various project management solutions come with their own advantages and disadvantages, the key lies in choosing the one that aligns best with your needs.

1.1. Embracing Redmine: A Decade of Success

For over a decade now, we have relied on Redmine as our project management software of choice, and the results have been exceptional. Redmine’s customizable nature, versatility, and seamless mobile compatibility make it an invaluable tool in our daily operations. Whether it’s designing layouts, developing new features, resolving bugs, or curating content for our website, Redmine stands as a reliable and versatile platform. If you haven’t had the chance to explore its capabilities, we strongly recommend giving it a try.

1.2. A World Without Emails

At our organization, we have bid farewell to the era of email communication. Instead, we leverage project management software for every aspect of our work, even for tasks as mundane as announcing holidays or scheduling beer meetings.

2. Streamlined Theme Updates Process

Our commitment to delivering top-notch themes is evident in our weekly updates. We utilize project management software to meticulously plan the release of theme and plugin versions, with each version assigned a set of individual tasks. These versions are tagged with standard three-number codes (x.y.z) to signify their significance: X for major updates, Y for new features, and Z for minor bug fixes on the current version.

2.1. Rigorous Testing Protocols

To ensure the highest quality, each new feature or bug fix undergoes rigorous testing and verification by different team members. For instance, if Ivo develops a new feature, Patrik and/or DDJ conduct thorough testing immediately afterward. Wednesdays are dedicated to intensive testing, allowing ample time for addressing any unforeseen issues. The goal is to have updates ready for deployment by Thursday night, although the occasional delay to Friday is exceptionally rare.

2.2. Shared Understanding Across the Team

A crucial aspect of our approach is fostering a shared understanding among team members. Everyone is expected to have a general understanding of each other’s roles and responsibilities, promoting cohesion and collaboration within the team.

3. Designing Innovative Layouts

In our pursuit of excellence, we treat every layout design as a unique website project. Our process begins with in-depth research to determine the specific needs of each business or project. Our design team meticulously crafts sketches using tools like Photoshop or Affinity Designer, uploading them to our project management software for comprehensive review.

3.1. Bridging the Gap Between Design and Development

Once the design is approved, the real work begins. Layouts often necessitate the addition of new features to our Citadela theme or plugins. Our design team maintains a seamless line of communication with the developers, conveying their requirements through our trusted project management software. This ensures that every aspect of the project is well-documented and accessible to all team members.

Conclusion

In our journey from a traditional office-based company to a thriving remote team of developers, designers, and supporters, effective project management has been our linchpin. The choice of Redmine as our project management software has proven instrumental in our success, enabling us to streamline our processes and deliver outstanding themes consistently. Our commitment to rigorous testing, shared understanding, and seamless communication has allowed us to provide high-quality themes that exceed our clients’ expectations. As we look ahead, we remain dedicated to maintaining our standards of excellence and exploring new avenues for innovation in the ever-evolving world of theme development.

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Design and Development

WordPress Development Workflow: What Are The Essentials of the WordPress Development Lifecycle?

September 25, 2023

8 min read

WordPress Development Workflow: What Are The Essentials of the WordPress Development Lifecycle?

Comprehensive Guide to the WordPress Development Lifecycle Introduction The WordPress Development Lifecycle is a crucial aspect of building robust websites and applications. In this guide, we will delve into the fundamental essentials that every WordPress developer should consider. From version control to professional hosting service providers, we will explore the key components that make up […]

Comprehensive Guide to the WordPress Development Lifecycle

Introduction

The WordPress Development Lifecycle is a crucial aspect of building robust websites and applications. In this guide, we will delve into the fundamental essentials that every WordPress developer should consider. From version control to professional hosting service providers, we will explore the key components that make up a successful WordPress development workflow.

1. Version Control: Streamlining Code Management

Version control is the backbone of any efficient development lifecycle. To maintain a structured workflow, it’s essential to implement Git version control for your projects. Utilizing Git allows for seamless code deployment and facilitates team collaboration. Consider adopting platforms like GitHub, which offer features such as pull requests and issue management for effective teamwork.

2. Configuration Management: Keeping It All in Code

Embracing the “all in code” approach is becoming increasingly practical for many projects. Configuration management tools play a crucial role in this aspect. Popular content management systems like Drupal 7 had features, while WordPress offers WP-CFM for configuration management. Drupal 8, on the other hand, integrates configuration management as a vital feature within the WordPress development workflow.

3. Local Development: Creating a Seamless Environment

Efficient local development is essential to ensure that your WordPress projects run smoothly across various operating systems. Docker-based solutions like Lando provide a versatile local development environment that caters to Mac, Linux, and Windows users. This setup should be user-friendly enough for new developers to quickly get up to speed. Additionally, seamless integration with professional hosting service providers enhances the overall workflow.

4. Professional Hosting Service Provider: Choosing the Right Platform

Selecting the right hosting service provider is a critical decision in the WordPress development lifecycle. Look for a provider that offers the following features:

On-Demand Environments:

The ability to create and test new environments easily is crucial for efficient development and testing of new features.

Contemporary Continuous Integration (CI) Features:

Smooth execution of operations, including building and testing applications, is vital in the WordPress Development Workflow, especially with the increasing adoption of automated testing.

Push-Button Updates:

Easy and quick deployment of CMS updates simplifies the maintenance process.

Automated Backups/Restores:

A system that automatically backs up your data and allows for easy restoration without external support.

Highly Dynamic & Scalable Metrics:

Modern container architecture and reverse proxies for handling large traffic volumes are essential for websites with a global audience.

While hosting costs may be a concern, it’s important to consider the true cost of your current hosting parameters. Professional hosting services can save you time and money, particularly for large-scale projects. Start with larger projects that require these advanced features and gradually apply them to smaller-scale projects.

5. Workflow Optimization for Increased Productivity

Upgrading your workflow development metrics can significantly impact productivity. If you constantly feel pressured by project stakeholders, implementing these tools and techniques can help you work smarter, not harder. Reach out to seasoned experts to kickstart your WordPress development journey and make the most of these valuable resources.

Conclusion

Mastering the WordPress Development Lifecycle is essential for creating high-quality websites and applications. By incorporating version control, configuration management, local development best practices, and choosing the right hosting service provider, you can streamline your workflow and boost productivity. Embrace these essentials to build efficient, scalable, and successful WordPress projects.

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Design and Development

5 Steps To Create An Ideal WordPress Plugin Development Workflow

September 25, 2023

8 min read

5 Steps To Create An Ideal WordPress Plugin Development Workflow

Building an Efficient WordPress Plugin: A Comprehensive Workflow Guide Setting Clear Objectives Structuring Your Plugin for Efficiency Maintaining Clean and Efficient Code Ensuring Security and Reliability Post-development Cleanup for Optimal Performance Setting Clear Objectives The WordPress Content Management System (CMS) boasts an extensive library of over 50,000 plugins, with new additions daily. However, not every […]

Building an Efficient WordPress Plugin: A Comprehensive Workflow Guide

Setting Clear Objectives

Structuring Your Plugin for Efficiency

Maintaining Clean and Efficient Code

Ensuring Security and Reliability

Post-development Cleanup for Optimal Performance

Setting Clear Objectives

The WordPress Content Management System (CMS) boasts an extensive library of over 50,000 plugins, with new additions daily. However, not every plugin achieves success. To ensure your plugin stands out in this crowded marketplace, it’s crucial to establish clear objectives. Start by defining the purpose of your plugin. Is it created for entertainment or to solve a specific problem? Ideally, a successful plugin addresses a widespread need. Before diving in, research the official directory to determine if similar products already exist. If a high-quality solution is already available, consider whether it’s worth developing another.

Structuring Your Plugin for Efficiency

Efficient organization is essential to ensure your plugin functions smoothly. The structure should align with the functionality it offers. For complex functionality, consider breaking the plugin into multiple files and folders. For instance, if your plugin focuses on a single class, include that class in the main plugin file. Additional functionalities can reside in separate files. If your plugin introduces custom controls in the backend, create dedicated CSS and JS folders for related files. This separation enhances manageability and maintainability, making it easier to extend the plugin’s capabilities.

Maintaining Clean and Efficient Code

Consistency and efficiency in coding standards are fundamental to a successful WordPress plugin development workflow. Proper indentation, spacing, and informative variable names enhance code readability. When creating functions for your plugin, be aware that they exist within the global namespace alongside other non-namespaced functions. To avoid conflicts with functions from other plugins or themes, prefix your function names uniquely. Alternatively, consider creating a class for your plugin to encapsulate its functions within a namespace, reducing the risk of naming conflicts and improving code organization.

Ensuring Security and Reliability

Security is paramount when developing a WordPress plugin. Your product will interact with website code, potentially exposing vulnerabilities. Exploiting these vulnerabilities can tarnish your plugin’s reputation. While WordPress often sanitizes data during function execution, direct database access may require additional precautions, such as filtering user input to prevent code injections. Implement nonces to verify forms or URLs, adding an extra layer of security to your plugin. Prioritize security throughout the development process to deliver a reliable and trustworthy product.

Post-development Cleanup for Optimal Performance

Before launching your plugin, take the time to remove unnecessary data. Some data, like post metadata, may only be relevant to the plugin and can bloat the product. WordPress provides hooks like “register_activation_hook()” to check plugin and PHP versions and perform necessary upgrades. The “register_uninstall_hook()” allows you to clean up data when the plugin is deleted from a website. However, exercise caution when deciding what to delete and what to retain, ensuring that essential information remains intact.

Conclusion

Developing a high-quality WordPress plugin demands a systematic approach. By following these essential steps, you can establish a seamless workflow that results in efficient, secure, and reliable plugins. Professional agencies, including WordPress web development companies, employ these methodologies to create outstanding products efficiently. With a clear objective, efficient structure, clean code, security measures, and post-development cleanup, your WordPress plugin can thrive in a competitive market.

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Design and Development

Best Tips for Improving WordPress Development Workflow

September 25, 2023

8 min read

Best Tips for Improving WordPress Development Workflow

1. The Advantages of WordPress for Brands WordPress stands as an ideal content management tool for brands seeking to establish a strong online presence. This versatile platform offers a multitude of benefits that aid in showcasing products, improving search engine rankings, and enhancing brand awareness. However, one often overlooked aspect of maximizing the potential of […]

1. The Advantages of WordPress for Brands

WordPress stands as an ideal content management tool for brands seeking to establish a strong online presence. This versatile platform offers a multitude of benefits that aid in showcasing products, improving search engine rankings, and enhancing brand awareness. However, one often overlooked aspect of maximizing the potential of WordPress is the importance of a well-planned workflow. In this article, we will explore the advantages of proper planning, strategies to streamline your WordPress development workflow, and key practices to ensure a successful project.

2. Time-Saving and Loophole Elimination

Efficiency in any workflow is essential, and WordPress development is no exception. Effective planning not only saves time but also helps in eliminating potential pitfalls. It ensures that no critical task is left unattended. One strategy that significantly enhances the overall development process is automation. Automation tools can expedite testing, image optimization, and website deployment, ultimately improving your productivity and project timelines.

3. Off-Site Development: A Safer Approach

While on-site development offers certain advantages, such as real-time visualization and easy access to WordPress tools, it comes with its own set of challenges. On-site development exposes your incomplete website to online traffic, potentially sending the wrong message about your brand’s quality and navigation. Additionally, it exposes your project to security risks, as hackers could exploit vulnerabilities before you implement security measures. To mitigate these risks, consider developing off-site. This approach allows you to fortify your website with the necessary tools to enhance performance and security before going live.

4. Managing Resources Efficiently

Effective WordPress development involves working with a wide range of resources, including programming languages, plugins, and images. These resources can consume significant storage space on your device, potentially causing it to slow down. When this happens, it’s crucial to have solutions at your disposal. By exploring various optimization techniques and resource management strategies, you can ensure your device’s performance remains at its peak throughout the development process.

5. The Importance of an Approval Environment

Upon completing the development phase, some developers choose to launch the website immediately, hoping to address any issues as they arise. While this approach may seem practical, it can be detrimental to your online traffic’s experience. Visitors who encounter problems on your site may be discouraged from returning. To provide a seamless user experience, it is advisable to create an approval environment. This controlled environment allows for comprehensive testing and debugging before the official website launch.

6. Harnessing the Power of Version Control

Version control tools play a pivotal role in managing changes to your website’s code and features over time. These tools are indispensable during the testing and debugging phases, ensuring that modifications are tracked and errors are promptly addressed. With version control, you gain a comprehensive view of your WordPress development history, making it easier to pinpoint the introduction of bugs and the phases in which they occurred. This invaluable resource enhances code management and project transparency.

7. Streamlining Workflow Through Automation

Efficiency and productivity are paramount in WordPress development, and automation can be a game-changer in achieving these goals. Prioritizing automation allows you to streamline various development phases without the need for an extensive programming team. Automation tools, often powered by AI, can create a visually appealing user interface, making your site more functional, accessible, cost-effective, and efficient. Furthermore, these tools can gather valuable data for WordPress development insights and automate processes such as planning, design, testing, launching, and post-launch monitoring, saving both time and effort.

8. Perfect Timing: Launching a Complete Project

Your WordPress website serves as a gateway to your brand, offering a crucial opportunity to make a positive first impression on visitors. It conveys trustworthiness and professionalism, qualities that can significantly impact website traffic and sales. However, launching a project prematurely, with an incomplete or imperfect site, can tarnish your brand’s image. To ensure a positive reception, prioritize launching your project only when it is fully developed and flawless, allowing you to showcase your brand in the best possible light.

9. Transitioning from FTP to SFT

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) has traditionally been the go-to method for transferring files between computers and systems over the internet. However, FTP has its limitations, notably its vulnerability to data interception since it sends files, usernames, and passwords in plain text. This opens the door to potential security breaches and data compromise. An alternative solution is Secure File Transfer (SFT), which aligns with today’s cybersecurity requirements. SFT not only enhances data security through encryption but also accelerates the transfer process. By adopting SFT, your development team can save valuable time and reduce security risks during the development phase.

10. Database Moves Down, Code Moves Up

An essential best practice in WordPress development is the concept of “Database Moves Down, Code Moves Up.” This strategy involves the separation of production and development databases, with the production environment residing at the top layer and the development environment at the bottom layer. In this scenario, every time the code moves up, the database moves down for development purposes. This approach ensures that production information remains in a consistent state of influx, increasing availability and uptime. By adhering to this practice, you can fine-tune your website continuously until it reaches its full potential.

11. Conclusion: Optimizing Your WordPress Development Workflow

In the dynamic world of WordPress development, numerous strategies and tools are at your disposal to ensure success. Automation emerges as a key player, allowing you to deliver an attractive and functional website efficiently. Balancing on-site and off-site development, embracing version control, and transitioning to secure file transfer methods all contribute to a streamlined workflow. Moreover, the “Database Moves Down, Code Moves Up” approach enhances website availability and refinement. By incorporating these practices and strategies, you can optimize your WordPress development workflow and achieve impressive results in your brand’s online journey.

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Design and Development

How I Develop WordPress Websites (Workflow)

September 25, 2023

8 min read

How I Develop WordPress Websites (Workflow)

Crafting an Efficient Workflow in WordPress Development In the ever-evolving realm of web development, the term “workflow” frequently emerges as a central concept. However, if you’re a newcomer to the world of WordPress development, this may be a foreign term or concept to you. In essence, a workflow is the systematic process that you follow […]

Crafting an Efficient Workflow in WordPress Development

In the ever-evolving realm of web development, the term “workflow” frequently emerges as a central concept. However, if you’re a newcomer to the world of WordPress development, this may be a foreign term or concept to you. In essence, a workflow is the systematic process that you follow when working on a project. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into my personal workflow, which is designed to assist novice developers in creating their own efficient processes. While my workflow is not the most elaborate, it has served me well and continues to evolve to meet my needs.

Understanding Workflow Tools

Before we dive into the intricacies of my workflow, let’s explore the essential tools and applications that form the foundation of an efficient WordPress development process. These tools are indispensable for any developer looking to streamline their work:

1. Sublime Text 3

Sublime Text 3 is a versatile and user-friendly text editor that I consider the best in its class. While some developers may prefer more powerful options like PHP Storm, Sublime Text’s combination of ease and power is hard to beat. It’s my text editor of choice, and I have no plans to switch to another anytime soon.

2. Sass

Sass is a CSS pre-processor that significantly enhances the speed and efficiency of writing CSS code. Unlike regular CSS, Sass must be compiled into a standard .css file (more on this later). I also utilize Compass with my Sass projects for its valuable mixins and other enhancements.

3. Codekit

Codekit is a game-changer for developers, offering a range of features that boost productivity. It’s a paid application that delivers features such as browser auto-refresh, built-in Bower for dependency management, and script and style compilation. While some of these features can be obtained independently and for free, Codekit combines them into a user-friendly interface that’s hard to resist.

4. MAMP

MAMP, which stands for Mac Apache MySQL and PHP, transforms your computer into a local server, enabling you to develop on your local machine. This offers advantages such as increased speed and isolation from the internet, making it an excellent choice for local development. MAMP integrates seamlessly with Codekit’s live browser refresh feature.

5. Git and GitHub

Git is a version control system that empowers you to track and manage changes to your codebase. While graphical user interface (GUI) applications are available, mastering Git through the command line offers more control and flexibility. GitHub, on the other hand, is a platform for managing Git projects, collaborating with other developers, and reviewing open-source code.

Navigating the Development Workflow

Now that we’ve covered the essential tools, let’s delve into the nitty-gritty of the development workflow:

1. Setting Up a Local WordPress Installation

For client projects, I always initiate a local WordPress installation using MAMP. After acquiring a fresh copy of WordPress, I remove unnecessary elements like outdated themes and the Hello Dolly plugin. The only item I retain is the latest Twenty XX theme as a fallback option in case of theme-related issues.

2. Adding Dummy Content

To kickstart the development process, I insert a few dummy posts and pages to work on. Rather than importing extensive test content, I’ve created my own import file that includes only a minimal amount of sample content. Eventually, all sample content is deleted to avoid cluttering the project.

3. Introducing Genesis

The real development work begins when I introduce a fresh copy of the Genesis framework. Over time, I’ve worked with various StudioPress child themes and even developed custom child themes from scratch. Currently, I’m in the process of creating a new version of my own starter theme, but Greg Rickaby’s Sass-ed version of the Sample child theme serves as a valuable starting point.

4. Streamlining with Codekit

Codekit plays a pivotal role in my theme development process. It automates tasks, such as browser auto-refresh, Sass compilation into minified CSS, and JavaScript file minification and concatenation. This results in a leaner and more efficient project, with optimized loading times due to reduced file sizes and fewer HTTP requests. In a future post, I’ll provide a more detailed breakdown of my development process for Genesis child themes.

5. Leveraging Git and GitHub

Throughout the development process, I make periodic commits to the project’s GitHub repository. Depending on the project, whether it’s a single theme, plugin, or a combination of both, each component receives its own repository. Git provides the version control, while GitHub serves as the central hub for managing the project and collaborating with other developers.

Syncing GitHub Repo with Live Installation

Recently, I’ve incorporated WP Pusher into my workflow. This plugin facilitates the synchronization of plugins and themes stored on GitHub (with BitBucket and GitLab also supported) with a live website. This means that I can maintain a live staging website for clients to review recent changes or effortlessly update the production environment by simply pushing changes to GitHub. For more details on why WP Pusher is a game-changer for developers, I’ve written a comprehensive review.

Migrating from Local to Live

As a project nears completion, the final step involves migrating it from the local development environment to a live server. This process used to be daunting, but it’s surprisingly straightforward. Here’s how it’s done:

Export a copy of the database, open it in Sublime Text, and perform a find-and-replace operation to update links, ensuring they no longer point to “localhost:8888” or your local URI.
Create a new database on the live server and import the modified .sql file.
Edit the wp-config.php file to establish the connection with the new database and make any necessary adjustments to plugin and theme files.
Upload all project files to the live server and commence testing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this guide provides a comprehensive insight into my WordPress development workflow. While not every detail has been covered, the core elements that enhance my efficiency as a developer have been outlined. For newcomers to the development world, establishing a well-defined workflow from the outset can significantly alleviate the challenges of early work. Over time, you’ll refine your workflow to suit your unique needs and preferences, ensuring that your development process remains efficient and effective.

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wordpress github workflow for Local Development to Staging Site

Advantages of Using GitHub With WordPress

How to Use WordPress and GitHub?

WordPress and GitHub: Live Environment

WordPress and GitHub: Local Environment

Successfully Pushed to GitHub

Step 3: Install Git

Step 4: Pull to Local Folder from GitHub Repository

Step 5: Build Development Environment on the Local Machine

Step 6: Connect Sublime Text to GitHub

Adding Code

Step 7: Push from Local to GitHub

Step 8: Connect GitHub with Live Environment

Connecting Cloudways and GitHub

Step 9: Pull Changes to a Live Environment from GitHub

Why Isn’t The Pull Automated?

WordPress and GitHub: Local Environment

Step 1: Download and Install Git

Step 2: Sign in to GitHub and Create a New Repository

Step 3: Push WordPress files from the local environment to GitHub

Step 4: Check GitHub Repository

Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the best GitHub plugins for WordPress?

Q. How do I create a WordPress repository on GitHub?

Q. How do I deploy WordPress to GitHub?

Q. Are there any security considerations when integrating WordPress with GitHub?

Q. What is the process for syncing changes between WordPress and GitHub?

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The Ultimate Guide to Automated WordPress Deployments

Automating WordPress Deployment: A Comprehensive Guide

Why Opt for Automated Deployments?

Preparing Your WordPress Site for Automation

Storing Your Codebase in a Git Repository

Leveraging a Composer-Powered WordPress Boilerplate

Disabling FTP Access and File Editing

Managing Auto-Updates

Deploying the Database

Handling Media Files

Deploying Your Site: Four Approaches

1. Manual Deployment Using Git Push

2. Automatic Deployment Using Webhooks

3. Automatic Deployment Using SpinupWP’s Push to Deploy Feature

4. Automated Deployment Using Buddy

Conclusion

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The Power of WordPress: A Comprehensive Guide to Website Development

Introduction

I. The Reign of WordPress

II. Groundwork Essentials

III. Bringing Ideas to Life

IV. Setting Up the Development Environment

V. Plugins, Customizations, and Testing

VI. The WordPress Website Development Process

VII. WordPress Development Workflow

VIII. Estimating Development Time

IX. Why Choose Hidden Brains?

Conclusion

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WordPress development workflow using composer

Streamlining WordPress Project Setup with Composer

Introduction

The Power of Composer

Navigating the Uncharted Waters

Exploring the Plugin and Theme Repository

A Holistic Approach

Conclusion: Embracing Efficiency