Database Indexing: The Missing Manual for WordPress
WordPress® is built to be a flexible application framework, but that flexibility comes with a trade-off in the form of a “one size fits all” database schema. For most sites,… Read more
Level Up
A collection of resources for WordPress Developers, written and curated by experts
Architecting Reliable Remote Requests with the HTTP API
Every time your code reaches out to an external API, you are introducing a point of failure that you do not control. Whether you are fetching a social feed, a… Read more
Mike Davey
Feb 24, 2026
Taming the Heartbeat API: Preventing `admin-ajax.php` Overload
When it comes to WordPress® performance, we often focus on the big metrics: page load speed, database query optimization, and asset minification. However, there is a silent pulse running in… Read more
Mike Davey
Feb 17, 2026
The Art of the WordPress Transient: Performance, Persistence, and Database Bloat
In the hierarchy of WordPress® data storage, transients often occupy a misunderstood middle ground. They aren’t quite as permanent as options, yet they aren’t as ephemeral as a standard PHP… Read more
Mike Davey
Feb 10, 2026
Debugging WP-Cron With WP-CLI
It’s a common situation. You schedule a backup for 2 a.m., but when you log in the next morning, the file isn’t there. Or perhaps a scheduled post missed its… Read more
Mike Davey
Feb 3, 2026
WP Offload Media 3.3 Released: Modern Standards, Global Regions, and Enhanced Stability
We are excited to announce the release of WP Offload Media 3.3! This release focuses on modernizing our codebase to support the latest server environments, expanding our global footprint with… Read more
Bartosz Kmiecik
The Anatomy of theme.json: A Developer’s Cheat Sheet
For a long time, the logic of a WordPress® theme lived primarily in functions.php. If you wanted to add support for a custom logo, wide alignment, or editor styles, you… Read more
Mike Davey
Jan 27, 2026
Delicious Brain Bytes: WordPress 7.0 Roadmap, Gutenberg 22.3, and the Rise of the Agentic Web
In this issue of Delicious Brain Bytes, we explore the brand-new Gutenberg 22.3 features, look ahead to the WordPress® 7.0 release and its updated PHP requirements, discuss WP Engine’s strategic… Read more
Mike Davey
Jan 20, 2026
How the Self-Hosting Trap Costs You Innovation
Digital presence is more than just a marketing channel. It’s often the primary driver of revenue, customer experience, and competitive differentiation. This critical asset demands enterprise-grade performance, rigorous security, and… Read more
Mike Davey
Nov 20, 2025
The Ultimate Savings Event for WordPress Professionals
It’s the time of year when we roll out delicious savings! We’re offering new customers big savings on the essential plugins trusted by top developers and agencies worldwide. Whether you’re… Read more
Mike Davey
Nov 17, 2025
Delicious Brain Bytes: WordPress 6.9 RC1, FAIR’s Security MVP, and Finding Hidden Gems
In this issue of Delicious Brain Bytes, we track the final progress of WordPress 6.9 RC1 and the new Abilities API, explore the security advancements of the FAIR/Patchstack collaboration, preview… Read more
Mike Davey
Nov 13, 2025
Minimizing DNS Propagation Issues With a Reverse Proxy
Migrating servers is a complex process that involves many moving parts. One of the most challenging aspects of server migration is dealing with DNS propagation. When you update your DNS… Read more
Mike Davey
Nov 4, 2025
Delicious Brain Bytes: FAIR 1.0 Arrives, ACF Survey Results, and Hosting a Site on a Disposable Vape
In this issue of Delicious Brain Bytes, we dive into the game-changing FAIR 1.0 decentralized package manager, explore the key data from the ACF Annual Survey, see how one developer… Read more
Mike Davey
Oct 2, 2025
Protecting Your WordPress Media: Private Files, Signed URLs, and Access Control
The WordPress media library serves us well for public content, but what about premium assets, private documents, or confidential client data? The default setup makes every uploaded file publicly accessible… Read more
Mike Davey
Sep 4, 2025
Delicious Brain Bytes: WordPress 6.9, ACF PRO 6.5, and Unleash the Wapuu
In this issue of Delicious Brain Bytes, we look into WordPress 6.9, round up the latest industry surveys, figure out how to make Postgres much slower, and much more! WordPress… Read more
Mike Davey
Aug 21, 2025
Using Cloud Storage for WordPress User-Generated Content
User-generated content is the proverbial double-edged sword. While it’s a powerful engine for engagement, it’s also a significant technical liability. User uploads are often unpredictable, unoptimized, and can consume server… Read more
Mike Davey
Aug 14, 2025
Preparing Your WordPress Site for High-Traffic: Media Optimization Strategies
Many successful WordPress sites eventually hit an architectural bottleneck. As traffic scales, the web server struggles to handle the dual responsibilities of running the PHP application and serving a library… Read more
Mike Davey
Aug 7, 2025
Moving WordPress to a New Domain: A Step-by-Step Guide Without Breaking Links
Relocating a WordPress website to a new domain is a frequent task for developers, but it often comes with the risk of broken links and lost content. Ensuring a seamless… Read more
Mike Davey
Jul 31, 2025
The Power of Partial Migrations: Syncing Only What You Need
Managing WordPress sites across different environments often requires moving data and files. A partial migration involves selectively transferring only specific components of your WordPress installation. Instead of cloning an entire… Read more
Mike Davey
Jul 24, 2025
Merging WordPress Sites: Consolidating Multiple Installs into a Multisite Network
WordPress Multisite is a powerful tool, highly useful for things like client sites managed by an agency, school or university departments, or large corporate structures where many related sites are… Read more
Mike Davey
Jul 18, 2025
Delicious Brain Bytes: WordPress Set for Another Major Release in 2025
In this issue of Delicious Brain Bytes, we look into recent and upcoming WordCamps, discuss the upcoming release of WordPress 6.9, and much more! WordCamp Wrap-Up: Europe Recap, US on… Read more
Mike Davey
Jul 10, 2025
Splitting a WordPress Multisite: Migrating a Subsite to its Own Single Installation
WordPress multisite networks offer flexibility, but a subsite often needs its own single installation for client needs, scaling, or simplified management. Separating a subsite is complex due to Multisite’s unique… Read more
Mike Davey
Jul 3, 2025
Debunking WordPress Security Myths: What Developers Often Miss
The staggering number of sites powered by WordPress speaks to its versatility, ease of use, and ecosystem. This widespread adoption introduces a paradox: its popularity makes it a frequent target… Read more
Mike Davey
Jun 26, 2025
Essential Soft Skills for WordPress Developers
You’re not going to get far in WordPress development without solid technical skills. They’re foundational, allowing you to build, customize, and optimize digital experiences. However, they’re only going to take… Read more
Mike Davey