wp-ai-client

WordPress AI Client

WordPress 7.0 added a provider-agnostic WP AI Client. Plugin code asks WordPress for a prompt builder, declares what it needs, and lets configured providers/models handle execution. WordPress 7.1 improves Ability schema interoperability, mixed function-call resolution, and cache isolation. Credentials are managed through Settings > Connectors and the Connectors API.

When to use this skill

Trigger when ANY of the following is true:

• Code calls wp_ai_client_prompt(), wp_supports_ai(), using_model_preference(), generate_text(), generate_image(), as_json_response(), or using_abilities().
• A plugin adds AI-assisted content generation, summarization, analysis, media generation, chat, or agent workflow features.
• The task mentions WP AI Client, AI providers, model preferences, AI Connectors, WP_AI_Client_Prompt_Builder, or AI-generated output in WordPress.
• Reviewing whether an AI feature degrades correctly when no provider is configured.

Availability

The WP AI Client is available in WordPress 7.0+. Guard code for older sites and feature-detect 7.1 helpers/hooks when supporting 7.0:

if ( ! function_exists( 'wp_ai_client_prompt' ) || ! wp_supports_ai() ) {
    return new WP_Error( 'ai_unavailable', __( 'AI is not available on this site.', 'myplugin' ) );
}

wp_supports_ai() returns false when WP_AI_SUPPORT is defined as false, and can be filtered through wp_supports_ai. Treat it as a runtime feature flag, not a version check.

Basic workflow

1. Gate the feature by capability, nonce/request intent, and wp_supports_ai().
2. Build a prompt with wp_ai_client_prompt().
3. Prefer model capabilities or using_model_preference() instead of hard-coding one provider.
4. Call is_supported_*() before showing UI or starting expensive work.
5. Call a generate_* method and handle WP_Error.
6. Escape or sanitize AI output according to where it is used.

Text generation

$builder = wp_ai_client_prompt( 'Write a short product summary for: ' . $product_name )
    ->using_system_instruction( 'Return concise, factual marketing copy.' )
    ->using_temperature( 0.3 )
    ->using_model_preference(
        'provider-a/model-id',
        'provider-b/model-id'
    );

if ( ! $builder->is_supported_for_text_generation() ) {
    return new WP_Error( 'ai_text_unsupported', __( 'No configured AI model can generate text.', 'myplugin' ) );
}

$text = $builder->generate_text();
if ( is_wp_error( $text ) ) {
    return $text;
}

return sanitize_textarea_field( $text );