WP Plugin Info Card 6.0 Released With Custom Plugin Cards

Custom Plugin Cards in Plugin Info Card 6.0.0
Custom Plugin Cards in Plugin Info Card 6.0.0

Custom Plugin Cards have come to WP Plugin Info Card, which allows you to add your custom third-party plugins and display and share them with the world.

You can enable a REST API for a plugin, share the link, and have someone import the plugin and sync it later. Let’s go over all of the features:

  • Create and display third-party plugins.
  • Configure whether Custom Plugin Cards and REST are enabled.
  • Enable or disable a REST API for your plugin.
  • Copy and share a REST URL to import a plugin remotely.
  • Export single or multiple plugins to a JSON file.
  • Import single or multiple plugins via a JSON file.
  • Keep third-party plugins up to date with the REST API.

Create and display third-party plugins

If your plugin is hosted on GitHub or elsewhere, you can add your plugin via the “Add New Plugin” interface under the new admin tab “Custom Plugin Cards.”

Add New Plugin Sidebar Item
Add New Plugin Sidebar Item

You’ll be prompted to enter several pieces of information about the plugin. You’re able to fill in as much information as possible, with the ability to edit later.

New Plugin Screen
New Plugin Screen Where You Can Enter Plugin Information

You’re able to upload an icon, a banner image, and set some additional meta. In the end, your plugin will be able to be output like a .org plugin.

Your new plugin will be added to the list when saved.

Plugin List Screen for Custom Plugin Cards
Plugin List Screen for Custom Plugin Cards

Using the slug of the new plugin, you can now output to the frontend as you would for any new plugin card.

Example Info Card Using a Custom Plugin Slug
Example Info Card Using a Custom Plugin Slug

Configure whether REST is enabled for custom plugins

In the Advanced settings, you can enable REST for the site and your plugins.

Advanced Settings Allow You to Configure REST API Access
Advanced Settings Allow You to Configure REST API Access

From there, you can enable the REST API and set how often your site should ping other plugin REST APIs.

Enable or Disable REST API Access for Custom Plugins
Enable or Disable REST API Access for Custom Plugins

Enable or disable a REST API for your plugin

Each custom plugin can have a REST API enabled per plugin, which allows you to share a REST API URL with another user and let them import the plugin on their site. The user can resync their data with yours at a later date, and even automatically keep the two in sync. If you have a lot of third-party plugins or have a handful, you can use your site as a source of truth and keep others up to date through the REST API.

Enabling the REST API is simple. Just edit the plugin and click Enable Rest API. Enter a passcode and an image version, and save the plugin.

Click "Enable REST API" To Share Your Plugin With the World
Click “Enable REST API” To Share Your Plugin With the World

The “version” argument is essential as it lets the REST API know to pull new images. If the content (and no images) has just changed, there is no need to up the version argument.

Copy and share a REST URL to import a plugin remotely.

If a plugin is REST-enabled, you can copy the REST API from the plugin’s screen by clicking the contextual menu.

Copying the REST API URL to the Custom Plugin

Once you share the URL, it is easy to import from another site.

Import a REST URL from a REST API Endpoint
Import a REST URL from a REST API Endpoint

The user can now use the plugin on their site, and even rsync the data when editing the plugin.

Resync Plugin Data or Detach from the REST API for a Copy
Resync Plugin Data or Detach from the REST API for a Copy

This data is then periodically resynced. If you have no intention of resyncing a plugin, you can “Detach From REST” to simply have a local copy.

Export and import custom plugin JSON files

Aside from the REST API, you can share plugins using a custom JSON file that is created when exporting your plugins.

Export a Plugin to a JSON File
Export a Plugin to a JSON File

You can even do a bulk export by selecting multiple plugins.

Bulk Export of Plugin JSON Files
Bulk Export of Plugin JSON Files

From there, you can import the plugin using the Import Plugin button in the admin settings.

Import Plugin Dialogue To Help Import JSON Files
Import Plugin Dialogue To Help Import JSON Files

Importing is as easy as uploading a JSON file generated, and all the content and images will be imported automatically.

Other notable 6.0 additions

New Margin Controls on the Card Block and Shortcode
New Margin Controls on the Card Block and Shortcode

Here are some notable new features and fixes:

  • Added Margin Spacing and Margin Target to the card blocks for better margin control.
  • Did a lot of code cleanup and escaping, particularly around the templates.
  • Adjusted the font size of the card layout and spacing.
  • Updated Block Icons and Block.json icons.
  • Added an author link to the card blocks if applicable.
  • Added transforms from the Plugin Card and the Screenshots block.
  • Added the ability to paste REST URLs in the block editor for import via that route.

Conclusion

With new Custom Plugin Cards, REST tweaks, and overall improvements, this is a solid release for WP Plugin Info Card.

Please checkout the plugin below.

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