Add wp-rest-api skill

Author: Jameswlepage

README.md

@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ Agent Skills solve this by giving AI assistants **expert-level WordPress knowled
 | **wp-block-development** | Gutenberg blocks: `block.json`, attributes, rendering, deprecations |
 | **wp-block-themes** | Block themes: `theme.json`, templates, patterns, style variations |
 | **wp-plugin-development** | Plugin architecture, hooks, settings API, security |
+| **wp-rest-api** | REST API routes/endpoints, schema, auth, and response shaping |
 | **wp-interactivity-api** | Frontend interactivity with `data-wp-*` directives and stores |
 | **wp-abilities-api** | Capability-based permissions and REST API authentication |
 | **wp-wpcli-and-ops** | WP-CLI commands, automation, multisite, search-replace |

docs/skill-set-v1.md

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ This repo currently includes:
 - `wp-block-development`
 - `wp-block-themes`
 - `wp-plugin-development`
+- `wp-rest-api`
 - `wp-interactivity-api`
 - `wp-abilities-api`
 - `wp-wpcli-and-ops`
@@ -15,7 +16,6 @@ This repo currently includes:
 
 Planned next skills (not yet implemented):
 
-- `wp-rest-api`
 - `wp-build-tooling`
 - `wp-testing`
 - `wp-security`

eval/scenarios/rest-api-add-custom-endpoint.json

@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+{
+  "name": "Add a custom REST endpoint with permissions and schema",
+  "skills": ["wordpress-router", "wp-project-triage", "wp-rest-api"],
+  "query": "Add a REST endpoint /my-plugin/v1/reports that returns JSON data, requires manage_options, and validates a days query param (1-30).",
+  "expected_behavior": [
+    "Step 1: Run wordpress-router to classify repo kind",
+    "Step 2: Run wp-project-triage for tooling",
+    "Step 3: Register route on rest_api_init with namespace my-plugin/v1",
+    "Step 4: Provide permission_callback using current_user_can('manage_options')",
+    "Step 5: Define args with type/validate/sanitize for days param",
+    "Step 6: Return data via rest_ensure_response or WP_REST_Response",
+    "Step 7: Avoid wp_send_json and direct $_GET usage"
+  ],
+  "success_criteria": [
+    "Uses register_rest_route with a unique namespace",
+    "Includes permission_callback (not missing)",
+    "Validates and sanitizes days parameter",
+    "Returns WP_REST_Response or rest_ensure_response",
+    "Mentions authentication or nonce if needed"
+  ]
+}

skills/wordpress-router/references/decision-tree.md

@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ Route by intent even if repo kind is broad (like `wp-site`):
 - **Plugins / hooks / activation hook / uninstall / Settings API / admin pages**
   - Route → `wp-plugin-development`.
 - **REST endpoint / register_rest_route / permission_callback**
-  - Route → `wp-rest-api` (planned).
+  - Route → `wp-rest-api`.
 - **WP-CLI / wp-cli.yml / commands**
   - Route → `wp-wpcli-and-ops`.
 - **Build tooling / @wordpress/scripts / webpack / Vite / npm scripts**

skills/wp-rest-api/SKILL.md

@@ -0,0 +1,114 @@
+---
+name: wp-rest-api
+description: "Use when building, extending, or debugging WordPress REST API endpoints/routes: register_rest_route, WP_REST_Controller/controller classes, schema/argument validation, permission_callback/authentication, response shaping, register_rest_field/register_meta, or exposing CPTs/taxonomies via show_in_rest."
+compatibility: "Targets WordPress 6.9+ (PHP 7.2.24+). Filesystem-based agent with bash + node. Some workflows require WP-CLI."
+---
+
+# WP REST API
+
+## When to use
+
+Use this skill when you need to:
+
+- create or update REST routes/endpoints
+- debug 401/403/404 errors or permission/nonce issues
+- add custom fields/meta to REST responses
+- expose custom post types or taxonomies via REST
+- implement schema + argument validation
+- adjust response links/embedding/pagination
+
+## Inputs required
+
+- Repo root + target plugin/theme/mu-plugin (path to entrypoint).
+- Desired namespace + version (e.g. `my-plugin/v1`) and routes.
+- Authentication mode (cookie + nonce vs application passwords vs auth plugin).
+- Target WordPress version constraints (if below 6.9, call out).
+
+## Procedure
+
+### 0) Triage and locate REST usage
+
+1. Run triage:
+   - `node skills/wp-project-triage/scripts/detect_wp_project.mjs`
+2. Search for existing REST usage:
+   - `register_rest_route`
+   - `WP_REST_Controller`
+   - `rest_api_init`
+   - `show_in_rest`, `rest_base`, `rest_controller_class`
+
+If this is a full site repo, pick the specific plugin/theme before changing code.
+
+### 1) Choose the right approach
+
+- **Expose CPT/taxonomy in `wp/v2`:**
+  - Use `show_in_rest => true` + `rest_base` if needed.
+  - Optionally provide `rest_controller_class`.
+  - Read `references/custom-content-types.md`.
+- **Custom endpoints:**
+  - Use `register_rest_route()` on `rest_api_init`.
+  - Prefer a controller class (`WP_REST_Controller` subclass) for anything non-trivial.
+  - Read `references/routes-and-endpoints.md` and `references/schema.md`.
+
+### 2) Register routes safely (namespaces, methods, permissions)
+
+- Use a unique namespace `vendor/v1`; avoid `wp/*` unless core.
+- Always provide `permission_callback` (use `__return_true` for public endpoints).
+- Use `WP_REST_Server::READABLE/CREATABLE/EDITABLE/DELETABLE` constants.
+- Return data via `rest_ensure_response()` or `WP_REST_Response`.
+- Return errors via `WP_Error` with an explicit `status`.
+
+Read `references/routes-and-endpoints.md`.
+
+### 3) Validate/sanitize request args
+
+- Define `args` with `type`, `default`, `required`, `validate_callback`, `sanitize_callback`.
+- Prefer JSON Schema validation with `rest_validate_value_from_schema` then `rest_sanitize_value_from_schema`.
+- Never read `$_GET`/`$_POST` directly inside endpoints; use `WP_REST_Request`.
+
+Read `references/schema.md`.
+
+### 4) Responses, fields, and links
+
+- Do **not** remove core fields from default endpoints; add fields instead.
+- Use `register_rest_field` for computed fields; `register_meta` with `show_in_rest` for meta.
+- For `object`/`array` meta, define schema in `show_in_rest.schema`.
+- If you need unfiltered post content (e.g., ToC plugins injecting HTML), request `?context=edit` to access `content.raw` (auth required). Pair with `_fields=content.raw` to keep responses small.
+- Add related resource links via `WP_REST_Response::add_link()`.
+
+Read `references/responses-and-fields.md`.
+
+### 5) Authentication and authorization
+
+- For wp-admin/JS: cookie auth + `X-WP-Nonce` (action `wp_rest`).
+- For external clients: application passwords (basic auth) or an auth plugin.
+- Use capability checks in `permission_callback` (authorization), not just “logged in”.
+
+Read `references/authentication.md`.
+
+### 6) Client-facing behavior (discovery, pagination, embeds)
+
+- Ensure discovery works (`Link` header or `<link rel="https://api.w.org/">`).
+- Support `_fields`, `_embed`, `_method`, `_envelope`, pagination headers.
+- Remember `per_page` is capped at 100.
+
+Read `references/discovery-and-params.md`.
+
+## Verification
+
+- `/wp-json/` index includes your namespace.
+- `OPTIONS` on your route returns schema (when provided).
+- Endpoint returns expected data; permission failures return 401/403 as appropriate.
+- CPT/taxonomy routes appear under `wp/v2` when `show_in_rest` is true.
+- Run repo lint/tests and any PHP/JS build steps.
+
+## Failure modes / debugging
+
+- 404: `rest_api_init` not firing, route typo, or permalinks off (use `?rest_route=`).
+- 401/403: missing nonce/auth, or `permission_callback` too strict.
+- `_doing_it_wrong` for missing `permission_callback`: add it (use `__return_true` if public).
+- Invalid params: missing/incorrect `args` schema or validation callbacks.
+- Fields missing: `show_in_rest` false, meta not registered, or CPT lacks `custom-fields` support.
+
+## Escalation
+
+If version support or behavior is unclear, consult the REST API Handbook and core docs before inventing patterns.

skills/wp-rest-api/references/authentication.md

@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+# Authentication (summary)
+
+## Cookie authentication (in-dashboard / same-site)
+
+- Standard for wp-admin and theme/plugin JS.
+- Requires a REST nonce (`wp_rest`) sent as `X-WP-Nonce` header or `_wpnonce` param.
+- If the nonce is missing, the request is treated as unauthenticated even if cookies exist.
+
+## Application Passwords (external clients)
+
+- Available in WordPress 5.6+.
+- Use HTTPS + Basic Auth with the application password.
+- Recommended over the legacy Basic Auth plugin.
+
+## Auth plugins
+
+- OAuth 1.0a or JWT plugins are common for external apps.
+- Use only if required; follow plugin docs and security guidance.

skills/wp-rest-api/references/custom-content-types.md

@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+# Custom Content Types (summary)
+
+## Custom post types
+
+- Set `show_in_rest => true` in `register_post_type()` to expose in `wp/v2`.
+- Use `rest_base` to change the route slug.
+- Optionally set `rest_controller_class` (must extend `WP_REST_Controller`).
+
+## Custom taxonomies
+
+- Set `show_in_rest => true` in `register_taxonomy()`.
+- Use `rest_base` and optional `rest_controller_class` (default `WP_REST_Terms_Controller`).
+
+## Adding REST support to existing types
+
+- Use `register_post_type_args` or `register_taxonomy_args` filters to enable `show_in_rest` for types you do not control.
+
+## Discovery links for custom controllers
+
+- If you use a custom controller class, use `rest_route_for_post` or `rest_route_for_term` filters to map objects to routes.

skills/wp-rest-api/references/discovery-and-params.md

@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+# Discovery and Global Parameters (summary)
+
+## API discovery
+
+- REST API root is discovered via the `Link` header: `rel="https://api.w.org/"`.
+- HTML pages also include a `<link rel="https://api.w.org/" href="...">` element.
+- For non-pretty permalinks, use `?rest_route=/`.
+
+## Global parameters
+
+- `_fields` limits response fields (supports nested meta keys).
+- `_embed` includes linked resources in `_embedded`.
+- `_method` or `X-HTTP-Method-Override` allows POST to simulate PUT/DELETE.
+- `_envelope` puts headers/status in the response body.
+- `_jsonp` enables JSONP for legacy clients.
+
+## Pagination
+
+- Collections accept `page`, `per_page` (1-100), and `offset`.
+- Pagination headers: `X-WP-Total` and `X-WP-TotalPages`.

skills/wp-rest-api/references/responses-and-fields.md

@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+# Responses and Fields (summary)
+
+## Do not remove core fields
+
+- Removing or changing core fields breaks clients (including wp-admin).
+- Prefer adding new fields or using `_fields` to limit response size.
+
+## register_rest_field
+
+- Use for computed or custom fields.
+- Provide `get_callback`, optional `update_callback`, and `schema`.
+- Register on `rest_api_init`.
+
+## Raw vs rendered content
+
+- For posts, `content.rendered` reflects filters (plugins like ToC inject HTML).
+- Use `?context=edit` (authenticated) to access `content.raw`.
+- Combine with `_fields=content.raw` when you only need the editable body.
+
+## register_meta / register_post_meta / register_term_meta
+
+- Use when the data is stored as meta.
+- Set `show_in_rest => true` to expose under `.meta`.
+- For `object` or `array` types, provide a JSON schema in `show_in_rest.schema`.
+
+## Links and embedding
+
+- Add links with `WP_REST_Response::add_link( $rel, $href, $attrs )`.
+- Use `embeddable => true` to allow `_embed`.
+- Use IANA rels or a custom URI relation; CURIEs can be registered via `rest_response_link_curies`.

skills/wp-rest-api/references/routes-and-endpoints.md

@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+# Routes and Endpoints (summary)
+
+## Registering routes
+
+- Register routes on the `rest_api_init` hook with `register_rest_route( $namespace, $route, $args )`.
+- A **route** is the URL pattern; an **endpoint** is the method + callback bound to that route.
+- For non-pretty permalinks, the route is accessed via `?rest_route=/namespace/route`.
+
+## Namespacing
+
+- Always namespace routes (`vendor/v1`).
+- **Do not** use the `wp/*` namespace unless you are targeting core.
+
+## Methods
+
+- Use `WP_REST_Server::READABLE` (GET), `CREATABLE` (POST), `EDITABLE` (PUT/PATCH), `DELETABLE` (DELETE).
+- Multiple endpoints can share a route, one per method.
+
+## permission_callback (required)
+
+- Always provide `permission_callback`.
+- Public endpoints should use `__return_true`.
+- For restricted endpoints, use capability checks (`current_user_can`) or object-level authorization.
+- Missing `permission_callback` emits a `_doing_it_wrong` notice in modern WP.
+
+## Arguments
+
+- Register `args` to validate and sanitize inputs.
+- Use `type`, `required`, `default`, `validate_callback`, `sanitize_callback`.
+- Access params via the `WP_REST_Request` object, not `$_GET`/`$_POST`.
+
+## Return values
+
+- Return data via `rest_ensure_response()` or a `WP_REST_Response`.
+- Return `WP_Error` with a `status` in `data` for error responses.
+- Do not call `wp_send_json()` in REST callbacks.