Creating a Custom User Role in WordPress

Creating a Custom User Role

Custom Code Solution

Here's a code snippet to add in your theme's functions.php file or in a site-specific plugin. This code creates a new user role with specific capabilities:

This code creates a new "Content Editor Plus" role with custom permissions:

function add_custom_user_role() {
    add_role(
        'content_editor_plus',
        'Content Editor Plus',
        array(
            'read' => true,
            'edit_posts' => true,
            'edit_published_posts' => true,
            'publish_posts' => true,
            'edit_pages' => true,
            'edit_published_pages' => true,
            'publish_pages' => true,
            'upload_files' => true,
            'moderate_comments' => true
        )
    );
}
add_action('init', 'add_custom_user_role');

To remove the role if needed:

function remove_custom_user_role() {
    remove_role('content_editor_plus');
}
// Uncomment next line to remove the role
// add_action('init', 'remove_custom_user_role');

To add extra capabilities to an existing role:

function add_role_capabilities() {
    $role = get_role('content_editor_plus');
    $role->add_cap('edit_others_posts');
    $role->add_cap('edit_others_pages');
}
add_action('init', 'add_role_capabilities');

Important Notes:

• Run this code once to create the role
• After role creation, you can comment out or remove the code
• Role persists in the database even after code removal
• New users can be assigned this role from the WordPress admin panel

Plugin Alternative

If you prefer a plugin solution, these options are reliable:

• User Role Editor - Most popular option with a visual interface
• Members - Simple but powerful role management

Best Practices:

• Store role creation code in a site-specific plugin instead of theme's functions.php
• Use specific capability names from WordPress Codex
• Test role permissions thoroughly before deployment
• Consider using a plugin for complex role management needs