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WordPress Hooks Order: Your Backstage Pass to the Dashboard and Frontend

Hey there, fellow WordPress wrangler!
Ever wish you could sneak into the backstage of WordPress and whisper, “Hey, do this when that happens”? Well, you can — thanks to WordPress hooks.

Whether you’re building a personal site, crafting a client project, or just tinkering to learn — mastering hooks gives you superpowers.

In this post, we’re diving into:

✅ What the heck a WordPress hook actually is
✅ Two shiny tables: admin dashboard vs frontend hooks
✅ Key info: hook name, what it does, how many parameters it passes, and little pro tips
✅ Some cheeky commentary (because code is fun)

Let’s hook in!

So… What Is a WordPress Hook?

A WordPress hook is a way to tap into the core without hacking it.

Hooks come in two flavors:

Action Hooks: Do something when WordPress gets to a certain point.
Filter Hooks: Change something before it’s output or saved.

Think of them like event listeners or interceptors — but friendlier.

Now, WordPress is hooked up with hundreds of these. But instead of listing them all like a phonebook, I’ve split the most useful ones for personal developers into two tidy camps:

🛠️ Admin Dashboard Hooks (for the admin wizards)
🏡 Frontend Hooks (for what users actually see)

Grab your coffee ☕, it’s table time.

Frontend Hook Execution Order

Order	Hook Name	Type	Description	Parameters
1	mu_plugin_loaded	Action	Fires once all must-use plugins are loaded.	None
2	network_plugin_loaded	Action	Fires once all network plugins are loaded.	None
3	muplugins_loaded	Action	All must-use plugins are connected.	None
4	registered_taxonomy	Action	Fires after a taxonomy is registered.	None
5	registered_post_type	Action	Fires after a post type is registered.	None
6	plugin_loaded	Action	Fires once a plugin is loaded.	None
7	plugins_loaded	Action	All plugins are plugged in.	None
8	sanitize_comment_cookies	Action	Sanitize comment cookies.	None
9	setup_theme	Action	Before loading the theme’s `functions.php` file.	None
10	load_textdomain	Action	Load the theme’s textdomain.	None
11	after_setup_theme	Action	After the theme’s `functions.php` file is loaded.	None
12	auth_cookie_malformed	Action	Fires when an authentication cookie is malformed.	None
13	auth_cookie_valid	Action	Fires when an authentication cookie is valid.	None
14	set_current_user	Action	Set the current user.	None
15	init	Action	Initialize WordPress.	None
16	widgets_init	Action	Initialize widgets.	None
17	register_sidebar	Action	Register sidebars.	None
18	wp_register_sidebar_widget	Action	Register sidebar widgets.	None
19	wp_default_scripts	Action	Register default scripts.	None
20	wp_default_styles	Action	Register default styles.	None
21	admin_bar_init	Action	Initialize the admin bar.	None
22	add_admin_bar_menus	Action	Add menus to the admin bar.	None
23	wp_loaded	Action	WordPress is fully loaded.	None
24	parse_request	Action	Parse the request.	None
25	send_headers	Action	Send HTTP headers.	None
26	parse_query	Action	Parse the query.	None
27	pre_get_posts	Filter	Modify the main query before it’s executed.	$query
28	posts_clauses	Filter	Modify the SQL clauses of the query.	$clauses, $query
29	posts_selection	Action	After the posts are selected.	None
30	wp	Action	WordPress environment is set up.	None
31	template_redirect	Action	Before the template is loaded.	None
32	get_header	Action	Before the header template is loaded.	None
33	wp_head	Action	Inside the `<head>` section of the theme.	None
34	wp_enqueue_scripts	Action	Enqueue scripts and styles for the front end.	None
35	wp_print_styles	Action	Print styles in the header.	None
36	wp_print_scripts	Action	Print scripts in the header.	None
37	get_search_form	Filter	Filter the search form HTML.	$form
38	loop_start	Action	Before the loop starts.	$query
39	the_post	Action	After each post is set up.	None
40	get_template_part_content	Action	Before a template part is loaded.	None
41	loop_end	Action	After the loop ends.	$query
42	get_sidebar	Action	Before the sidebar template is loaded.	None
43	dynamic_sidebar	Filter	Filter the sidebar’s widgets output.	$sidebar_output, $index
44	pre_get_comments	Filter	Modify the comments query before it’s executed.	$query
45	wp_meta	Action	Add meta tags to the header.	None
46	get_footer	Action	Before the footer template is loaded.	None
47	wp_footer	Action	Inside the footer section of the theme.	None
48	wp_print_footer_scripts	Action	Print scripts in the footer.	None
49	admin_bar_menu	Action	Modify the admin bar menu.	$wp_admin_bar
50	wp_before_admin_bar_render	Action	Before the admin bar is rendered.	None
51	wp_after_admin_bar_render	Action	After the admin bar is rendered.	None
52	shutdown	Action	After WordPress has finished processing.	None

Admin Panel & AJAX Hook Execution Order

Order	Hook Name	Type	Description	Parameters
1	mu_plugin_loaded	Action	Fires once all must-use plugins are loaded.	None
2	network_plugin_loaded	Action	Fires once all network plugins are loaded.	None
3	muplugins_loaded	Action	All must-use plugins are connected.	None
4	registered_taxonomy	Action	Fires after a taxonomy is registered.	None
5	registered_post_type	Action	Fires after a post type is registered.	None
6	plugin_loaded	Action	Fires once a plugin is loaded.	None
7	plugins_loaded	Action	All plugins are plugged in.	None
8	sanitize_comment_cookies	Action	Sanitize comment cookies.	None
9	setup_theme	Action	Before loading the theme’s `functions.php` file.	None
10	load_textdomain	Action	Load the theme’s textdomain.	None
11	after_setup_theme	Action	After the theme’s `functions.php` file is loaded.	None
12	auth_cookie_valid	Action	Fires when an authentication cookie is valid.	None
13	set_current_user	Action	Set the current user.	None
14	init	Action	Initialize WordPress.	None
15	widgets_init	Action	Initialize widgets.	None
16	register_sidebar	Action	Register sidebars.	None
17	wp_register_sidebar_widget	Action	Register sidebar widgets.	None
18	wp_default_scripts	Action	Register default scripts.	None
19	wp_default_styles	Action	Register default styles.	None
20	admin_bar_init	Action	Initialize the admin bar.	None
21	add_admin_bar_menus	Action	Add menus to the admin bar.	None
22	wp_loaded	Action	WordPress is fully loaded.	None
23	auth_redirect	Action	Redirects unauthenticated users to the login page.	None
24	_admin_menu	Action	Internal hook for setting up the admin menu.	None
25	admin_menu	Action	Allows adding items to the admin menu.	None
26	admin_init	Action	Initialize the admin panel.	None

Quick Peek: Hook in Action

Let’s say you want to add a custom stylesheet only for the admin:

add_action('admin_enqueue_scripts', function() {
    wp_enqueue_style('my-admin-style', get_template_directory_uri() . '/admin.css');
});

Or maybe, you’re sneaking a cheeky “Read More” after every post:

add_filter('the_content', function($content) {
    if (is_single()) {
        $content .= '<p>Thanks for reading! More coming soon.</p>';
    }
    return $content;
});

Wrapping It Up (With a Cherry on Top)

WordPress hooks might feel a bit invisible at first, but once you get them, you’ll start seeing the Matrix of WordPress.
They’re your way of bending WordPress to your will — without touching core files, breaking updates, or sacrificing kittens.

If you’re building your personal developer site, this is where your personality and code style shine. Want a slick dashboard experience for you and your clients? Use admin hooks. Want buttery frontend interactivity? Frontend hooks to the rescue!

What’s Next?

-> Try adding a few of these to your functions.php
-> Pick one unfamiliar hook and build something fun
-> Bookmark this post — trust me, future-you will thank you

Have a favorite hook not listed here? Or a custom use-case you’re proud of? Drop it in the comments. Let’s keep this hook party going!

May 4, 2025

A Hypothetical Case Study: TechFlow’s Race Against Time – The Holiday Release Dilemma
Background

TechFlow had already navigated the challenges of revamping a major module, but now they faced a new dilemma—what if they scheduled their big release just before a major holiday?

After months of development, leadership saw an opportunity to capitalize on the holiday season. With user engagement expected to be at its peak, a pre-holiday launch seemed like the perfect way to maximize impact, boost adoption, and enter the new quarter with strong momentum.

The Plan

The TechFlow team worked tirelessly, streamlining development, testing, and user feedback. The timeline was aggressive, but leadership was optimistic. Their plan looked like this:
1. Final Development Sprint – Address major bugs and refine UI/UX.
2. Beta Testing & Feedback Round – Select a small user group for real-world validation.
3. Marketing & Awareness – Generate excitement through emails, blog posts, and social media.
4. Pre-Holiday Release – Deploy the new version a few days before the holiday, ensuring users experience the improvements firsthand.
The Pros of a Pre-Holiday Release
- Increased Engagement: With more users online during the holiday season, adoption rates could surge.
- Marketing Advantage: A fresh release can generate buzz and give TechFlow an edge over competitors.
- Revenue Opportunities: If the platform included premium features, this period could drive upgrades and new purchases.
- Year-End Momentum: A successful launch could set the stage for a strong start in the following quarter.
The Challenges & Risks
- Limited Developer Availability: Many team members were planning time off, making rapid responses to critical issues difficult.
- Higher Stakes for Bugs: A major issue post-launch could frustrate users and damage brand reputation.
- Support Team Overload: A spike in user activity often means more support tickets, potentially overwhelming the reduced holiday staff.
- Rollback Risks: If a rollback was necessary, it could disrupt users during a peak usage period.
The Reality Check

As the release date approached, tensions ran high. Internal testing revealed last-minute performance issues, and the support team raised concerns about their ability to handle holiday traffic. A heated discussion followed—should they push through or delay?

After weighing the risks, TechFlow’s leadership made a strategic decision: a limited rollout to a smaller audience first. This approach allowed them to gather real-time feedback without exposing all users to potential disruptions. The wider release was scheduled for post-holiday, when the team was fully available.

The Outcome

The phased release strategy proved to be a win. The limited launch uncovered minor issues, which were quickly addressed before the full rollout. Users responded positively, and TechFlow entered the new quarter with both confidence and valuable insights.

Key Takeaways
- Holiday releases can be high-reward but come with significant risks.
- Team availability should always be factored into release planning.
- A phased rollout can mitigate risks and allow for quick fixes.
- User excitement must be balanced with stability—launching a polished product is more valuable than rushing an incomplete one.
This experience reinforced an important lesson: timing is crucial, but readiness is even more important.
April 15, 2025
Simplify WordPress Installation with WP Quick Installer
As a WordPress developer, I often saw our QA team struggling with setting up fresh WordPress sites. The repetitive process was frustrating, so I built this script a long time ago. Recently, I polished it with AI to make it even better. Now, WP Quick Installer automates everything, saving time and effort.

Why Use WP Quick Installer?

WP Quick Installer is designed to simplify the process of setting up a local WordPress environment. Instead of manually downloading WordPress, configuring the database, and setting up admin credentials, this script does it all for you automatically.

Key Features

✅ One-Command Installation – Set up WordPress quickly with a single command.
✅ Custom Admin Credentials – Easily define your admin username, password, and email.
✅ Automatic Database Setup – No need to create a database manually; the script handles it for you.
✅ SEO-Friendly Permalink Structure – Sets up pretty URLs (/%postname%/) by default.
✅ Cleanup & Optimization – Removes unnecessary default plugins (Akismet and Hello Dolly).
✅ Easy Uninstall – Remove a WordPress project and its database with a simple command.

How to Use WP Quick Installer

Installation

To install WordPress using WP Quick Installer, run:
```
./install.sh [options] [project_name]
```
Options

Option Description
-u USERNAME Set admin username (default: admin)
-p PASSWORD Set admin password (default: admin)
-e EMAIL Set admin email (default: admin@mail.com)
-h Show help message

Example:
```
./install.sh -u myadmin -p securepassword -e myemail@example.com myproject
```
Removing a WordPress Project

If you need to uninstall WordPress and delete its database, run:
```
./install.sh remove [project_name]
```
Who Can Benefit from This Script?

WP Quick Installer is perfect for:
- Web Developers – Speed up project setup and automate repetitive tasks.
- Freelancers – Quickly set up local environments for client projects.
- WordPress Beginners – Get started with WordPress in seconds without technical complexities.
Get Started Today!

Why waste time with manual installations when you can automate the process? Download WP Quick Installer now from GitHub and supercharge your WordPress workflow.

🚀 Simplify your WordPress setup today!
February 14, 2025
A Hypothetical Case Study on Feature Revamp: Why Proper Planning Matters
In software development, improving an existing feature while maintaining backward compatibility is like trying to renovate a house while people are still living in it—challenging, messy, and full of surprises. Imagine a software firm, TechFlow, that set out to revamp a key feature of their product, focusing on enhancing the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX). To keep things smooth for existing users, they planned to break the revamp into multiple releases. But midway through, they hit a snag: the old and new UX clashed like oil and water. Suddenly, their well-laid plans unraveled, forcing them to rethink everything.

This hypothetical case study explores what went wrong and how teams can plan better to avoid such pitfalls.

The Initial Plan: Incremental Rollout

TechFlow’s development team thought they had it all figured out. The strategy? Improve the UI and UX of a core feature while ensuring backward compatibility. To avoid shocking users with a drastic change, they opted for a phased approach:
- Release sections of the improved UI in stages.
- Gather feedback from users along the way.
- Ensure existing users could keep using the feature without disruption.
- Manage development efforts while keeping up with other projects.
On paper, it looked like a foolproof plan—steady progress, minimal risk, and happy users. But reality had other ideas.

The Challenge: Fragmented UX and Technical Debt

After completing and internally testing about a third of the revamped feature, the team noticed a glaring problem: the new and old UI/UX felt like two different worlds forced into one. The inconsistencies created a Frankenstein-like experience, full of awkward transitions and mismatched styles. The biggest issues?
- Visual and functional inconsistencies – Some parts looked sleek and modern, while others were stuck in the past, making the overall design feel disjointed.
- Workflow disruptions – Users navigating between old and new sections found the experience clunky and confusing.
- Increased development complexity – Keeping two UI versions alive at the same time led to a tangled web of code, making future updates more difficult.
At this point, TechFlow’s team realized they had two choices: keep pushing forward with the incremental rollout (and risk a subpar user experience) or hit the brakes and change course.

The Pivot: Completing the Full Revamp

After much debate (and maybe a few stress-induced coffee binges), the team decided to abandon their phased rollout and go all-in on completing the full revamp before release. This meant:
- Allocating extra time to ensure the entire feature had a consistent UI/UX.
- Reworking internal timelines to fit the new development plan.
- Thorough testing to prevent regressions and ensure everything functioned smoothly.
While this adjustment delayed the release, it ultimately resulted in a better user experience. However, the partial revamp left the codebase looking like a battlefield—some parts had already been rewritten while others remained unchanged. Without enough time to start from scratch, the team had to find creative ways to clean up and refactor the mixed codebase without slowing down future development.

Lessons Learned: Plan Smarter, Not Harder

This experience left the team with some hard-earned wisdom:
1. Think through the UX impact before committing to incremental updates – A revamp is about the user experience. If partial updates create a disjointed UI, a full release may be the better route.
2. Ensure design consistency across the entire feature – Before breaking a revamp into parts, check if each phase can stand alone without making the product feel like a patchwork quilt.
3. Estimate the full scope realistically – If incremental updates aren’t feasible, it’s better to commit to a full overhaul upfront rather than switching strategies halfway.
4. Prioritize maintainability over short-term convenience – Quick fixes and phased rollouts may seem efficient at first, but if they create technical debt, they’ll cause more problems down the line.
Conclusion

TechFlow’s case teaches us an important lesson: sometimes, a phased rollout isn’t the right call—especially for UI/UX overhauls. Proper planning, realistic scoping, and considering the big picture from the start can save teams from headaches, messy codebases, and missed deadlines.

What about you? Have you ever faced a revamp that didn’t go as planned? Let’s swap war stories in the comments!
February 9, 2025

Option	Description
`-u USERNAME`	Set admin username (default: `admin`)
`-p PASSWORD`	Set admin password (default: `admin`)
`-e EMAIL`	Set admin email (default: `admin@mail.com`)
`-h`	Show help message

Blog

WordPress Hooks Order: Your Backstage Pass to the Dashboard and Frontend

So… What Is a WordPress Hook?

Frontend Hook Execution Order

Admin Panel & AJAX Hook Execution Order

Quick Peek: Hook in Action

Wrapping It Up (With a Cherry on Top)

What’s Next?

A Hypothetical Case Study: TechFlow’s Race Against Time – The Holiday Release Dilemma

Background

The Plan

The Pros of a Pre-Holiday Release

The Challenges & Risks

The Reality Check

The Outcome

Key Takeaways

Simplify WordPress Installation with WP Quick Installer

Why Use WP Quick Installer?

Key Features

How to Use WP Quick Installer

Installation

Options

Removing a WordPress Project

Who Can Benefit from This Script?

Get Started Today!

A Hypothetical Case Study on Feature Revamp: Why Proper Planning Matters

The Initial Plan: Incremental Rollout

The Challenge: Fragmented UX and Technical Debt

The Pivot: Completing the Full Revamp

Lessons Learned: Plan Smarter, Not Harder

Conclusion