The Journey of Building a WordPress Plugin
As someone who enjoys creating solutions for my websites, I decided to build a WordPress plugin that indexes posts, making them easily accessible via a clickable list. I wanted the flexibility to select specific posts and categories, display the post creation date, and include a settings page for customization. To accomplish this, I turned to ChatGPT for assistance.
My Experience with ChatGPT
Working with ChatGPT has been a mixed bag—sometimes it delivers exactly what I need, while other times, it misses the mark. However, with persistence and clear communication, I’ve been able to achieve great results. Here are some key takeaways from my experience:
- Be Specific: The more detailed I was in my requests, the better the outcome. Describing the features I wanted step-by-step helped refine the plugin’s functionality.
- Trial and Error: There were moments when the code didn’t work as expected, requiring tweaks and re-explanations. Patience and experimentation were essential.
- Iterative Improvements: By working collaboratively with ChatGPT, I could enhance the plugin over several versions, adding new features and ironing out issues.
The Aebe Post Indexer Plugin
The plugin I developed, Aebe Post Indexer, creates an automatically generated list of selected posts and categories. Users can manage which posts or categories appear in the index through a settings page. The plugin also displays the date each post was created, making it easier to navigate content.
How to Use It
- Activate the Plugin: Go to your WordPress admin dashboard, install and activate the Aebe Post Indexer plugin.
- Configure Settings: Under the plugin name in the Plugins page, click Settings to select posts and categories to include in the index.
- Display the Index: Use the shortcode
on any page or post to display the index.
You can see the working example of the index here .
Version Updates
The plugin is now at version 1.02, with continuous improvements based on real-world usage and feedback. Adding new features, such as displaying categories for faster selection and including post creation dates, was a significant milestone.
Final Thoughts
Creating the Aebe Post Indexer with ChatGPT has been a rewarding experience. While not always perfect, the iterative process of refining the plugin has been worth the effort. For anyone looking to create custom solutions, ChatGPT is a valuable tool, provided you’re ready to put in the time and effort to guide its output.