wordpress-database-standards.mdc

---
description: Database schema changes, migrations, and query optimization for WordPress
globs: *.php, *.install, *.module
---
# WordPress Database Standards

Ensures proper database handling in WordPress applications.

## Rule Details

- **Name:** wordpress_database_standards

- **Description:** Enforce WordPress database best practices and standards

## Filters
- file extension pattern: `\.(php)$`

## Enforcement Checks
- Conditions:
  - pattern `mysql_query|mysqli_query|mysql_connect` – Use WordPress $wpdb database API instead of direct MySQL functions
  - pattern `\$wpdb->query\(['"][^'"]*\$[^'"]*['"]` – Use $wpdb->prepare() with placeholders instead of direct variable interpolation
  - pattern `register_activation_hook.*\{[^}]*\}` – Ensure activation hooks include proper database schema changes
  - pattern `\$wpdb->(insert|update|delete)\([^)]*\)(?!.*prepare)` – Consider using $wpdb->prepare() for database operations with user input

## Suggestions
- Guidance:
Database Best Practices:
- Use WordPress $wpdb class for all database operations
- Always use $wpdb->prepare() with placeholders (%s, %d, %f) for queries
- Implement proper error handling with $wpdb->last_error
- Use WordPress table prefix ($wpdb->prefix) for custom tables
- Follow WordPress database schema conventions
- Implement proper indexing strategies
- Use dbDelta() for table creation and updates
- Consider using WordPress Options API for simple key-value storage
- Use post meta and user meta for structured data when appropriate

## Metadata
- Priority: critical
- Version: 1.1