wp-abilities-api
Use when working with the WordPress Abilities API (wpregisterability, wpregisterabilitycategory, /wp-json/wp-abilities/v1/, @wordpress/abilities) including defining abilities, categories, meta, REST exposure, and permissions checks for clients.
- Installs
- 296
- Last 24h
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- Trending rank
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- Security
- Not audited
Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/automattic/agent-skills --skill wp-abilities-api- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads wp-abilities-api automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
WP Abilities API
When to use
Use this skill when the task involves:
- registering abilities or ability categories in PHP,
- exposing abilities to clients via REST (
wp-abilities/v1), - consuming abilities in JS (notably
@wordpress/abilities), - diagnosing “ability doesn’t show up” / “client can’t see ability” / “REST returns empty”.
Inputs required
- Repo root (run
wp-project-triagefirst if you haven’t). - Target WordPress version(s) and whether this is WP core or a plugin/theme.
- Where the change should live (plugin vs theme vs mu-plugin).
Procedure
1) Confirm availability and version constraints
- If this is WP core work, check
signals.isWpCoreCheckoutandversions.wordpress.core. - If the project targets WP < 6.9, you may need the Abilities API plugin/package rather than relying on core.
2) Find existing Abilities usage
Search for these in the repo:
wp_register_ability(wp_register_ability_category(wp_abilities_api_initwp_abilities_api_categories_initwp-abilities/v1@wordpress/abilities
If none exist, decide whether you’re introducing Abilities API fresh (new registrations + client consumption) or only consuming.
3) Register categories (optional)
If you need a logical grouping, register an ability category early (see references/php-registration.md).
4) Register abilities (PHP)
Implement the ability in PHP registration with:
- stable
id(namespaced), label/description,category,meta:- add
readonly: truewhen the ability is informational, - set
show_in_rest: truefor abilities you want visible to clients.
- add
Use the documented init hooks for Abilities API registration so they load at the right time (see references/php-registration.md).
5) Confirm REST exposure
- Verify the REST endpoints exist and return expected results (see
references/rest-api.md). - If the client still can’t see the ability, confirm
meta.show_in_restis enabled and you’re querying the right endpoint.
6) Consume from JS (if needed)
- Prefer
@wordpress/abilitiesAPIs for client-side access and checks. - Ensure build tooling includes the dependency and the project’s build pipeline bundles it.
Verification
wp-project-triageindicatessignals.usesAbilitiesApi: trueafter your change (if applicable).- REST check (in a WP environment): endpoints under
wp-abilities/v1return your ability and category when expected. - If the repo has tests, add/update coverage near:
- PHP: ability registration and meta exposure
- JS: ability consumption and UI gating
Failure modes / debugging
- Ability never appears:
- registration code not running (wrong hook / file not loaded),
- missing
meta.show_in_rest, - incorrect category/ID mismatch.
- REST shows ability but JS doesn’t:
- wrong REST base/namespace,
- JS dependency not bundled,
- caching (object/page caches) masking changes.
Escalation
- If you’re uncertain about version support, confirm target WP core versions and whether Abilities API is expected from core or as a plugin.
- For canonical details, consult:
references/rest-api.mdreferences/php-registration.md
FAQ
What does the wp-abilities-api skill do?
Use when working with the WordPress Abilities API (wpregisterability, wpregisterabilitycategory, /wp-json/wp-abilities/v1/, @wordpress/abilities) including defining abilities, categories, meta, REST exposure, and permissions checks for clients.
How do I install wp-abilities-api?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/automattic/agent-skills --skill wp-abilities-api in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/wp-abilities-api/ (personal) or .claude/skills/wp-abilities-api/ (project).
Which AI agents can use wp-abilities-api?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is wp-abilities-api safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains wp-abilities-api?
It is published by automattic in automattic/agent-skills, and it is an official skill from the maker of the technology it covers. It has 296 recorded installs.
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