advanced-architecture_skill

Overview

This skill provides patterns and code for advanced WordPress architecture focused on REST API endpoints, WP-CLI command patterns, and strategies for performance and caching. It equips developers to build scalable, versioned APIs, organize complex controllers, and apply practical caching and optimization techniques for production sites.

How this skill works

The skill demonstrates registering namespaced REST routes with validation, sanitization, permission callbacks, and full CRUD handlers for a custom post type. It shows a controller-class pattern for grouping route logic, and outlines response shaping (HATEOAS links, pagination). It also surfaces performance tactics like caching query results, using WP-CLI for automation, and applying server-level and application-level caching.

When to use it

• Building custom REST APIs for headless WordPress or external clients
• Implementing secure, versioned endpoints with input validation and permissions
• Organizing complex endpoint logic using controller classes
• Optimizing query-heavy pages and API responses for high-traffic sites
• Automating repetitive tasks or maintenance with WP-CLI commands

Best practices

• Namespace and version your API to allow safe, backwards-compatible changes
• Validate and sanitize all input; use permission callbacks for auth checks
• Use controller classes for complex endpoints to keep code modular and testable
• Cache expensive queries and API responses; invalidate caches on relevant post meta or status changes
• Prefer soft delete (trash) for recoverability, allow force delete as an option
• Return consistent responses with pagination and HATEOAS links for discoverability

Example use cases

• Expose a book catalog as a paginated JSON API consumed by a mobile app
• Create custom WP-CLI commands to seed demo content or run migrations
• Implement endpoint-level caching for feeds that update infrequently
• Build an admin-only API for bulk updates with permission checks via current_user_can
• Migrate a legacy site to headless architecture while keeping WordPress as content source