Modern WordPress Theme Development with WP Rig ft. Rob Ruiz
In this episode, Rob Ruiz and Brian Coords discuss the evolution of WordPress development, focusing on WP Rig, a modern theme framework. They explore how AI, automation, and best practices can streamline theme creation, improve quality, and address future challenges in content management and developer workflows.
Links
Rob Ruiz on X - https://x.com/robcruiz
WP Rig - https://wprig.io/
WP Rig on X - https://x.com/wprigio
Chapters
Chapters
0:00 Introduction to Rob Ruiz and WP Rig
1:22 WordCamp US experience and key takeaways
3:33 What is WP Rig and why use it?
7:26 The importance of a toolkit for modern theme development
10:52 AI and agentic frameworks in theme creation
9:09 Handling updates and dependencies in WP Rig
14:17 Building components and plugins with WP Rig
16:45 The open component registry and plugin ecosystem
19:33 Supporting classic and block themes
22:09 Creating custom blocks and build system integration
24:40 Building admin UI and settings pages with WP Rig
28:16 Ensuring opinionated and consistent development workflows
38:31 Content management challenges and future solutions
39:51 The role of content storage and JSON in AI-driven development
41:12 Managing plugins, media, and clutter in WordPress
44:47 Getting involved with WP Rig community and resources
1 Jul 2026
WordPress and Woo Themes with Ollie and AI/MCP ft Mike McAlister
In this episode, Mike from Ollie shares insights on the evolution of WordPress site building, the role of AI, and how Ollie is simplifying website creation for users. Discover how Ollie integrates design, AI, and user experience to empower developers and non-coders alike.
Links
OllieWP
WooCommerce
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Ollie and its evolution
02:04 Key features of Ollie and design touches
03:47 Balancing no-code and developer control
05:45 WooCommerce support and block themes
07:33 Future of WordPress and AI integration
09:04 Designing with AI and content generation
11:09 Challenges with WooCommerce blocks
13:05 Custom landing pages and product templates
14:59 Improving user experience and micro-interactions
16:38 The importance of UI and micro friction points
18:34 AI in content editing and site management
20:14 The role of developer tools and customization
22:25 AI features in Ollie and future plans
24:03 Balancing AI automation with user control
25:56 The sustainability and energy impact of AI
27:51 The importance of user-friendly interfaces
29:49 The future of content editing in WordPress
31:42 Closing thoughts and where to find Ollie
27 Mar 2026
Fostering Healthy Conversations around Contribution ft. Nik McLaughlin
In this episode, Nik McLaughlin and I explore the complexities of community feedback, open source contribution, and the responsibilities of platform maintainers. We discuss how to foster trust, handle criticism, and improve collaboration within the WordPress ecosystem.
Links
Nik on Twitter
Brian on Twitter
WordPress 7.0
WordPress AI Connectors Need More Friction, Not Less by Marcus Burnette
Nik's Original Thread
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:18 Community Feedback and Engagement
05:40 Understanding User Perspectives
08:29 The Value of Feedback
14:16 Navigating Negative Feedback
19:20 Open Source Responsibilities
24:02 The Dynamics of WordPress and User Expectations
27:46 AI Integration and Community Concerns
29:43 Community Conversations and Feedback Dynamics
35:14 Navigating Technical Bureaucracy in Open Source
41:13 The Time Investment in Open Source Contributions
44:42 Building Trust in Collaborative Environments
49:25 Transparency and Community Engagement in Development
Who has been a guest on Webmasters.FM
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Mike McAlister
Christian Taylor
Keanan Koppenhaver
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