Question

Hi, I am interested in developing WordPress CMS themes.

Which WP developing plugins or/and code tips/tricks do you use?

I mean maybe for templates/querues, PHP, etc. which will make your workflow/programming life easier?

Thanks

BTW, these 3 articles/forum threads were extremely useful:

Auto reload browser while developing WordPress theme

Git/GitHub and WP/PHPStrom dev

NPM and NPM Packages

Answer 1

Hi, here are my developing WordPress plugins which I use in my daily routine:

To see the queries and loading scripts/styles in my WordPress site, I use:

Query Monitor: https://wordpress.org/plugins/query-monitor/

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To show the WP template on which I am currently on, the plugin I use is:

Show Current Template: https://wordpress.org/plugins/show-current-template/

...and this one is pretty much the same:

Which Template: https://wordpress.org/plugins/which-template/

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Plugin to see whether everything is fine with our WP theme. It runs a quick scan (the same as doing a spell check before submitting an article):

Theme Check: https://wordpress.org/plugins/theme-check/

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Password protect your whole WordPress site with a 1 password (you can use it as Under Construction WP plugin alternative). You can also allow (whitelist) your IP address :-)

Password Protected: https://wordpress.org/plugins/password-protected/

Answer 2

To import dummy WordPress pages/posts/categories/comments/tags, etc. (Test Unit Data) I use: https://codex.wordpress.org/Theme_Unit_Test

Or you can add dummy content from http://wptest.io/

Answer 3

For my WordPress debugging I am using the official plugin from WordPress.org: 

Debug Bar: https://wordpress.org/plugins/debug-bar/

...and his add-on for actions and filters:

Debug Bar Actions and Filters Addon: https://wordpress.org/plugins/debug-bar-actions-and-filters-addon/

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Also, to see the hooks in my WP (and WooCommerce) theme I use:

Simply Show Hooks: https://wordpress.org/plugins/simply-show-hooks/