Recommendations for Customizing Event Espresso
Here are some generally helpful guidelines and recommendations for extending and making customizations to Event Espresso.
1. Use WordPress Hooks and Filters
Event Espresso is built with extensibility in mind. Utilize the available WordPress action hooks and filters to add or modify functionality without altering the core files. This ensures compatibility with updates and reduces the risk of breaking existing features.
All actions are prefixed with either AHEE__ (Action Hook Event Espresso) or FHEE__ (Filter Hook Event Espresso) so if you search for either of those strings in a text editor/IDE you’ll find all of our hooks.
If you looking to record a purchase only when its paid you’ll likely want to use a hook on the thank you page, for example:
AHEE__thank_you_page_overview_template__top
AHEE__thank_you_page_overview_template__content
AHEE__thank_you_page_overview_template__bottom
Each of those action hooks is passed the EE_Transaction object which you can use to confirm if payment has been made, there are some details here:
Your team can also request additional hooks if necessary.
2. Leverage Add-ons or Custom Plugins
If your customization requires significant changes, consider creating a custom plugin or leveraging existing Event Espresso add-ons. This approach isolates your changes from the core, making them easier to maintain and update.
3. Follow Coding Standards
Adhere to WordPress coding standards and Event Espresso’s development guidelines. Consistent coding practices improve maintainability and reduce conflicts.
4. Document Your Changes
Maintain clear documentation of all customizations, including the purpose, functionality, and code snippets. This helps ensure future developers understand and maintain your changes effectively.
5. Test in Staging Environments
Before applying customizations to a live site, thoroughly test them in a staging environment. Ensure they are compatible with the latest version of WordPress, Event Espresso, and any third-party plugins or themes in use.
6. Avoid Hardcoding
Use dynamic references instead of hardcoded values whenever possible. For example, reference database options or settings via WordPress APIs to adapt to future updates or changes.
7. Contribute to Event Espresso Development
If your customization could benefit other users, consider contributing your changes to the Event Espresso project by submitting a pull request on Github.
8. Monitor Updates and Release Notes
Keep track of Event Espresso’s updates and release notes to identify potential conflicts with your customizations. This allows you to address compatibility issues proactively.
9. Use Version Control
Implement version control systems (e.g., Git) for tracking changes to your customizations. This makes it easier to roll back changes if an update causes conflicts.