Tutorial : Using AI Tools to Create and Use WordPress Shortcodes

This guide shows how to leverage ChatGPT and other AI tools to create powerful, reusable WordPress shortcodes that enhance site functionality. Perfect for theme functions and standalone plugins, shortcodes offer a flexible way to add dynamic content. Whether you’re a developer or site admin, this guide will help you create shortcodes for both simple and complex tasks.

1. Introduction to Shortcodes in WordPress

WordPress shortcodes are small tags you can add to posts, pages, or widgets to perform dynamic actions. They’re written in PHP and use the add_shortcode function to work. Using ChatGPT, you can quickly generate the PHP code for new shortcodes, with examples of formatting, customization, and use cases.

2. Example Shortcodes Generated with ChatGPT

Let’s look at a few useful examples, their descriptions, and their usage within a WordPress site.

Example 1: Displaying a Custom Message

Shortcode Purpose: This shortcode displays a customizable message anywhere on your website, which is especially useful for announcements or special notices.

Shortcode Code:

function easycoding_display_custom_message($atts) {
$atts = shortcode_atts(array(
'message' => 'Hello, welcome to my site!',
), $atts, 'easycoding_custom_message');

return '<div class="custom-message">' . esc_html($atts['message']) . '</div>';
}
add_shortcode('easycoding_custom_message', 'easycoding_display_custom_message');

Usage: [easycoding_custom_message message="Welcome to our new sale!"]

Description: The shortcode accepts an message attribute to display a specific message. If no message is provided, it defaults to “Hello, welcome to my site!”

Example 2: Displaying Recent Posts with Excerpts

Shortcode Purpose: This shortcode displays a list of recent posts with excerpts, making it easy to add recent content to any post or page.

Shortcode Code:

function easycoding_display_recent_posts($atts) {
$atts = shortcode_atts(array(
'count' => 5,
), $atts, 'easycoding_recent_posts');

$query = new WP_Query(array(
'posts_per_page' => $atts['count'],
'post_status' => 'publish',
));

$output = '<ul class="recent-posts">';
while ($query->have_posts()) {
$query->the_post();
$output .= '<li><a href="' . get_permalink() . '">' . get_the_title() . '</a> - ' . get_the_excerpt() . '</li>';
}
$output .= '</ul>';

wp_reset_postdata();
return $output;
}
add_shortcode('easycoding_recent_posts', 'easycoding_display_recent_posts');

Usage: [easycoding_recent_posts count="3"]

Description: This shortcode lists recent posts with their excerpts. It accepts an optional count attribute to specify how many posts to display.

3. Adding Shortcodes to Your WordPress Site

Shortcodes can be added in two main ways:

• Directly in the theme’s functions.php file
• As a standalone plugin

Method 1: Adding to functions.php

To include shortcodes within your theme, open your theme’s functions.php file and add the shortcode functions directly. This approach is ideal if the shortcode is only relevant to that specific theme.

1. Open your theme’s functions.php file.
2. Copy and paste the shortcode code (like the examples above).
3. Save the file.

Once saved, the shortcode is now available to use on your site.

Example: Adding the custom message shortcode allows you to place [easycoding_custom_message message="Your text here"] it anywhere on your site to display the message.

Method 2: Turning Shortcodes into an Addon

Creating a standalone addon for your shortcode gives you greater flexibility and reusability. It also ensures the shortcode is available even if you change themes.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Shortcode Addon

1. Create a New Plugin File
   • In your WordPress installation, navigate to wp-content/plugins/ and create a new folder for your addon, such as easy-coding-shortcodes.
   • Inside this folder, create a new PHP file, like easy-coding-shortcodes.php.
2. Set Up the Plugin Header

   <?php
   /*
   Plugin Name: EasyCodingWithAI - Shortcodes
   Description: Adds custom shortcodes for displaying messages and recent posts.
   Version: 1.0
   Author: EasyCodingWithAI
   */
3. Add the Shortcode Functions – Copy the shortcode functions (from above) into this file.
4. Activate the Plugin
   • Go to your WordPress Dashboard > Plugins.
   • Locate your EasyCodingWithAI – Shortcodes plugin and click Activate.

Your shortcodes are now available site-wide and independent of the theme.

4. Using Shortcodes in Posts, Pages, and Templates

Once your shortcodes are created, you can use them in different areas of your WordPress site to add dynamic content where needed. Here’s how:

Using Shortcodes in Posts and Pages

Using shortcodes in posts and pages is simple:

1. In your WordPress editor, type the shortcode directly into the content area where you want it to appear.
2. Include any necessary attributes as needed.

Example: If you’re using the [easycoding_custom_message] shortcode, you can add it directly to a post or page:

[easycoding_custom_message message="Check out our latest updates!"]

Using Shortcodes in Template Files

If you want to embed a shortcode directly within a PHP template file (e.g., single.php or page.php), use a PHP function that processes the shortcode within the file.

Example: Here’s how to add the [easycoding_recent_posts] shortcode to a template file:

<?php echo do_shortcode('[easycoding_recent_posts count="3"]'); ?>

This code will display a list of recent posts with excerpts in the specified location in the template file. Use this approach to place shortcodes in areas like headers, footers, or sidebars, giving you greater control over where the dynamic content appears on your site.