wpds

Overview of wpds skill

What wpds is for

The wpds skill helps you build or review WordPress UI with the WordPress Design System, using the canonical WPDS MCP server instead of guesswork. It is most useful when you need correct component names, token values, or design-system-aligned patterns for WordPress, Gutenberg, WooCommerce, WordPress.com, Jetpack, or adjacent admin interfaces.

Who should use it

Use the wpds skill if you are creating UI that should match WPDS conventions, or if you need to verify whether a component, token, or pattern is actually supported before you implement it. It is a strong fit for agents that need a reliable wpds guide during design-to-code work, review, or refactoring.

What makes it different

The main differentiator is that wpds is install-oriented and documentation-driven: it expects the agent to query WPDS resources directly through MCP rather than infer details from memory or the public web. That reduces drift on component APIs and token usage, which matters most when output quality depends on precise design-system decisions.

How to Use wpds skill

Install and connect the right context

Run the wpds install step with npx skills add WordPress/agent-skills --skill wpds, then confirm the WPDS MCP server is configured and running before asking for implementation help. If the server is missing, the skill cannot reliably answer from canonical docs, so setup is part of the workflow, not an optional extra.

Start from a concrete UI goal

Give the skill a specific task, not a vague request. Good input looks like: “Convert this settings panel to WPDS using approved components and tokens, keep keyboard accessibility intact, and avoid custom colors.” Weak input like “make this more modern” forces the agent to guess component fit, spacing, and hierarchy.

Read the right files first

Begin with SKILL.md, then inspect any repo files that define operating rules, because this skill’s value comes from following the documented decision path. For wpds usage, prioritize the sections that explain prerequisites, when to use, and rules, then use the MCP sources wpds://pages, wpds://components, and wpds://design-tokens to verify details before writing code or recommendations.

Use a workflow that lowers rework

A good wpds workflow is: define the screen, identify the component(s), confirm token constraints, then draft the UI or review notes. If you already know the target package, mention it up front, such as @wordpress/components or @wordpress/ui, so the skill can stay aligned with the actual implementation surface and not broaden into generic advice.

wpds skill FAQ

Is wpds only for WordPress core?

No. The wpds skill is broader than core and is useful anywhere WordPress design language matters, including product surfaces that need to feel native to the WordPress ecosystem. It is still most valuable when you want outputs grounded in WPDS rather than a generic UI style guide.

Do I need the MCP server for wpds to work?

Yes, that is the practical boundary of the skill. Without the WPDS MCP server, you lose the authoritative component and token lookup that makes wpds reliable, so it is a poor fit for offline-only prompting.

Is wpds better than a normal prompt?

Usually yes when the task depends on exact WPDS facts. A normal prompt can help with broad UI ideas, but wpds is the better choice when you need fewer hallucinations about component availability, naming, or design-token values.

Is wpds beginner-friendly?

Yes, if you can describe the screen you want to build. You do not need deep WPDS knowledge to use the wpds guide effectively, but you do need to provide enough context for the skill to choose relevant components and confirm constraints.

How to Improve wpds skill

Give it the design decision, not just the feature

The best wpds results come from inputs that include audience, screen type, and what must not change. For example: “Refactor this plugin sidebar for first-time admins, preserve the existing form fields, and use only WPDS tokens for spacing and color.” That is more actionable than “apply WPDS.”

Specify constraints that affect component choice

Tell the skill about accessibility requirements, platform limits, or content density before it drafts a solution. Common failure mode: asking for wpds usage without stating whether the UI is informational, editable, or destructive, which can lead to the wrong component family or interaction pattern.

Iterate using component and token checks

After the first answer, ask for a second pass that validates component selection, token usage, and any unsupported custom styling. The most useful improvement loop for wpds is to compare the draft against wpds://components and wpds://design-tokens, then tighten the prompt around any mismatch instead of broadening the request.