What it does
Generate technically correct, design-distinctive WordPress block patterns. Use when creating block patterns, starter page patterns, template patterns, template part patterns, or improving pattern design quality. Covers pattern registration (PHP headers, auto/manual), block markup syntax, theme.json design tokens, categories, template types, accessibility, and i18n/escaping.
Install
This skill ships in WordPress/agent-skills (Official, WordPress core fundamentals).
One command installs it for any assistant. Run this from your project root:
npx skills add WordPress/agent-skills --skill wp-patternsYou'll be asked to choose a scope: project (shared with your team, committed to version control) or global (available across all your projects). Add --global to skip the prompt and install globally.
Use it in your AI assistant
The destination folder, and how the assistant discovers it, differs per tool:
Claude Code
.claude/skills/wp-patterns/ (or ~/.claude/skills/wp-patterns/ for all projects)
- Claude Code auto-discovers skills in .claude/skills/ (project) or ~/.claude/skills/ (global, every project).
- Claude reaches for the skill on its own when a task matches its description, or you can name it directly.
GitHub Copilot (VS Code)
.github/skills/wp-patterns/
- The skill is copied into .github/skills/wp-patterns/, where Copilot in VS Code picks it up.
- Copilot Chat applies it automatically once your task matches the skill's description.
OpenAI Codex
.codex/skills/wp-patterns/
- This installs the skill to .codex/skills/wp-patterns/, which Codex reads for standing instructions on matching tasks.
- Point Codex at it directly if needed: "follow .codex/skills/wp-patterns/SKILL.md for this task."
Cursor
.cursor/skills/wp-patterns/ (or ~/.cursor/skills/wp-patterns/ globally)
- Cursor discovers skills in .cursor/skills/ (project) or ~/.cursor/skills/ (global).
- Cursor loads it automatically when a request matches, same as its native Rules.
Compatibility
WordPress 6.9 with PHP 7.2.24 or later. Requires 6.0+ for auto-registration, 6.7+ for full preset support. Patterns use block markup (HTML comments with JSON), PHP file headers, and theme.json presets.