wordpress-org-compliance by bonny

---
name: wordpress-org-compliance
description: Reviews plugin code for WordPress.org compliance and trialware violations. Use when checking premium features, upsells, or license keys before submission.
allowed-tools: Read, Grep, Glob
---

# WordPress.org Plugin Compliance

Ensures WordPress.org compliance for free vs premium code and upselling.

## Core Rule: No Locked Code

**Golden Rule:** All code in WordPress.org plugins must be free and fully functional.

-   Every feature works completely without a license key
-   No trial periods or usage limits
-   No features requiring payment to unlock

## Quick Reference

### Not Allowed

-   Trial periods or time limits
-   Usage quotas or artificial limits
-   License keys for local features
-   Disabled features requiring payment
-   Intrusive nag screens

### Allowed

-   Informational upselling (non-intrusive)
-   Separate premium plugin from your site
-   Feature detection (not restriction)
-   Comparison tables and teasers
-   Disabled form previews for premium-only features

## Key Patterns

```php
// ❌ WRONG: Feature Restriction
if ( ! $this->is_premium() ) {
    echo 'Premium required';
    return;
}

// ✅ CORRECT: Feature Detection
$this->show_basic_export();
if ( $this->has_premium_addon() ) {
    do_action( 'sh_premium_export_options' );
}

// ❌ WRONG: Artificial Limits
$limit = $this->is_premium() ? 10000 : 100;

// ✅ CORRECT: No Artificial Limits
$limit = apply_filters( 'sh_event_limit', 10000 );
```

## Compliance Checklist

-   [ ] All features work without license key
-   [ ] No trial periods or time limits
-   [ ] No usage quotas
-   [ ] Upselling is informational, not obstructive
-   [ ] Free version provides real value

## Detailed Information

-   [examples.md](examples.md) - Detailed code examples
-   [testing.md](testing.md) - Testing procedures and pre-submission verification

## Resources

-   [WordPress.org Guidelines](https://developer.wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-org/detailed-plugin-guidelines/#5-trialware-is-not-permitted)

**The Simple Rule:** If it's in the WordPress.org version, it must work completely without payment.