How to Build a Custom WordPress Plugin

Building a plugin begins with creating a plugin folder and main PHP file within the WordPress plugins directory. 

The plugin header defines essential metadata such as plugin name, description, and version. 
Key plugin development concepts include: 

Hooks and filters 
WordPress uses hooks to allow developers to modify behavior without editing core files. 

Actions 
Actions allow code to run at specific points during WordPress execution. 

Filters 
Filters allow developers to modify data before it is displayed. 

Security considerations 
Plugins should follow best practices such as sanitizing inputs, escaping outputs, and validating user data. 

By following WordPress development standards, plugins remain secure, maintainable, and compatible with future updates.