Plugin Architecture
A well-structured plugin uses OOP, proper hooks, and separates concerns. Start with a main plugin file, an includes directory, and admin/public folders.
Custom Post Types
Register custom post types for structured content. Add meta boxes for additional fields.
AJAX Handlers
Use wp_ajax hooks for admin AJAX and wp_ajax_nopriv for frontend. Always verify nonces for security.
Admin Panels
Use the WordPress Settings API for options pages. Add menu items with add_menu_page().