I’ve released quite a few WordPress plugins now — some for fun, some for clients, and some that grew beyond what I expected. Over time, I’ve built a personal routine I follow before shipping anything live.
It’s not a checklist I copy-paste. It’s more of a rhythm — things I’ve learned to do to avoid headaches later, support questions, or just that awkward moment of realizing I forgot something basic after release.
Here are five things I always make sure I do before hitting publish.
1. I install it on a fresh site — like I’m the user
This is the biggest one.
I spin up a blank WordPress install and install the plugin from scratch. No dev tools, no pre-loaded test data, no shortcuts. Just like a user would.
Does it activate without errors?
Does it make sense out of the box?
Is anything confusing without me explaining it?
This one step has saved me from pushing broken versions more than once.
2. I ask: does it explain itself?
Most users don’t read documentation. So I try to make sure the plugin explains itself as much as possible once it’s activated.
That could be:
- A welcome notice with a link to settings
- A simple description on the settings screen
- Field labels that are clear, not clever
- Reasonable default options so it “just works”
If someone can’t figure out what to do in under 30 seconds, I go back and fix it.
3. I test uninstall and cleanup
This used to be an afterthought for me. Now it’s mandatory.
I deactivate and delete the plugin — and then I check:
Did it leave behind any junk?
Custom tables, options, transients?
I want my plugin to clean up after itself if the user removes it.
If they don’t want it anymore, it should respect that and disappear fully.
4. I check if I’d be proud to link to it
Before I submit the plugin to the repo or promote it anywhere, I stop and ask:
If someone landed on this, would I feel good linking them to it?
Is the readme clear?
Is the description honest?
Are the screenshots helpful?
If it feels rushed or half-baked, I pause and fix it first.
5. I remind myself it doesn’t have to be perfect
This one took me years to learn.
There’s always something more I could add — another setting, another tweak, another feature. But the longer I wait for “perfect,” the more likely I am to lose momentum.
Now I try to release a solid, simple version. Then improve it over time.
Because a working plugin in the hands of users is always better than a perfect one sitting on my desktop.
Every plugin teaches me something new, but these five habits have stayed with me.
They help me build with more care, release with more confidence, and support users better from day one.
If you’re building your first (or fiftieth) plugin, maybe this list will help you too.
And if you have your own “before launch” ritual, I’d love to hear it.
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