On this website, I present all the open source plugins for WordPress that I have published. I am aware that this is a large number - and also a challenge, as each plugin should also have the same quality in terms of its functions, security and future viability. I will briefly describe here how I ensure this.

On this website, I present all the open source plugins for WordPress that I have published. I am aware that this is a large number - and also a challenge, as each plugin should also have the same quality in terms of its functions, security and sustainability. I will briefly describe here how I ensure this sustainability. My principle Everything must have a reason, and you can find it. That's why I often take a very close look at how something works before I release it to users. That sounds very time-consuming, but in my view it leads to enormous stability of the plugins, which is also reflected in very few support requests for the plugins. At the same time, I have also learned a lot about the WordPress core and countless other plugins - how things work and how they shouldn't be done. Code quality So that I can still understand my own code even after years, I comment very diligently. I have gotten into the habit of commenting almost every line, mostly in US-American English. There are files that consist of 2/3 comments only - but that is quality for me. A chunk of code thrown down without any human sentence, as you unfortunately see in many other plugins, takes more time to be understood. Use of AI I use the PHPStorm IDE for development and the code autocompletion feature it contains, as well as the AI that is also included from time to time to optimize code. I also use Claude or Copilot from time to time to solve tricky things more quickly. However, I never let the AI write my code. If I do, I copy part of the code it suggests, adapt it and comment on it. Or I talk to the AI like a human colleague to find a solution without adopting what the AI suggests 1:1. Security There are many things you should pay attention to in web development. Security is a very high priority for me. Unfortunately, I come across far too many hacked websites in my support in the WordPress forums and also in my professional environment. For this reason, every function that I add to my plugins is also considered holistically: its structure, its effect and its availability, both while you are logged in and as a visitor without login and also all interfaces that WordPress still offers (REST API, WP CLI ..). Checks before every release A new version of each plugin is only released if it passes the following tests successfully and without exception: Compliance with WordPress coding standards by testing with their composer package. Compliance with the WordPress plugin check action (corresponds to the check by the WordPress plugin team for each new upload in the repository). Completion of a scan with PHPStan with regard to possible bugs at level 8 of 10 (unfortunately, WordPress as of 2026 does not yet go higher within a reasonable range). Only a few plugins still have to fulfill the following requirements: A series of individual PHP unit tests, which test specific sequences of functions within the plugins that must be fulfilled in every case. A test with the composer package from PHPCompatibility with WordPress specifics. The path to a release I test every single function that I add to the plugins in at least 2 local test systems. I then create a local release (usually with ant) and also test the new function in a test system. I then create a new release on GitHub and run the tests there again. Only then does the release go into the WordPress repository via SVN. But that's not the end either: as soon as the release is published, I test the installation of the new version from the WordPress repository again in a test system to ensure that nothing has gone wrong during the transfer via SVN. Quite a lot, right? Yes, and now also largely automated. To err is human Software is only as secure as it was written. Mistakes can happen, and you have to accept that. If someone does get in touch with me with a technical problem relating to my plugins, I want to know exactly how it happened. Not only because it is strange when the problem occurs with one of hundreds of users, but also because I like to get to the bottom of the problem - finding the cause and making further optimizations is an inner urge that I find hard to resist. Ultimately, however, finding a solution also fulfills the wishes of the user who reported the problem. Fit for the future It is just as important to me that my plugins work as they should in the latest WordPress version. That's why I sit down before major WordPress releases and test every plugin with the first release candidate. In this way, I want to ensure that the plugins can also be used in the future. Collaboration Only very few developers have contacted me so far to make additions to my plugins. You are also welcome to get in touch if you have an idea and a proposal for implementation. Please note that every addition must fulfill the above-mentioned checks as well as the code quality I require. You can find the sources of all my plugins on GitHub: https://github.com/threadi Use I hope this article encourages you to use one of my plugins. If you have any questions, please contact the relevant support forum.

WordPress Plugins from Thomas Zwirner

Automatic category for posts

WordPress plugin

free of charge

Set a default category for each new post. This is set when the post is created. You no longer have to select the category yourself. Use your time to focus on the content of your posts rather than their configuration.

Plugin page:

https://de.wordpress.org/plugins/category-and-tag-feeds/

Support forum: https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/category-and-tag-feeds/

GitHub repository: https://github.com/threadi/auto-category-for-posts

Articles

How is the sustainability of the plugins ensured?
On this website, I present all the open source plugins for WordPress that I have published. I am aware that this is a large number - and also a challenge, as each plugin should also have the same quality in terms of its functions, security and future viability. I will briefly describe here how I ensure this. Read more
Frequently Asked Questions
Installation of „Automatic category for posts“
The ways to install the „Automatic category for posts“ plugin are described here. Read more
Installation
Where can I change the default category?
The plugin uses the defined default category to automatically assign it to every new post. There are various ways to use the default category, which are described here. Read more
feature, GUI

Automatic category for posts

Articles

How is the sustainability of the plugins ensured?

Installation of „Automatic category for posts“

Where can I change the default category?