How to Upload WordPress plugin on wordpress.org in Ubuntu/Linux

Step 1. Install Rapid SVN

The first thing you need to install is Rapid SVN software in your machine, you can easily get this by searching “RapidSVN” in Ubuntu Software which is available for free in Ubuntu store.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install subversion

Step 2. Open Rapid SVN

After installing RapidSVN, open it from your applications menu. The program will launch with a simple, user-friendly interface. On the left side, you’ll see a panel displaying all your bookmarks or repositories connected to RapidSVN.

Step 3. Clone WP Plugin SVN Repository

In the toolbar at the top, you'll find a Repository menu. This menu includes several options like Import, Export, Checkout, Create, and Merge Repository. For our purpose, select the Checkout option. This will allow you to clone the WordPress plugin SVN repository to your local system.

When you click on Checkout, a dialog box will appear on your screen. It will prompt you to enter your repository URL and specify a destination path for where the repository should be copied. Simply paste your plugin SVN repository link in the URL field and your desired folder path in the Destination field.

Click OK, and the repository will be cloned to the specified directory on your system.

Step 4. Upload Your Plugin Data

Navigate to the destination folder on your system, and paste all the plugin’s folders and files into the trunk folder. Then, open RapidSVN again, select the trunk folder, and right-click on it. You’ll see several options—click Add Recursive. After that, right-click on the trunk folder once more, and this time select Commit to upload the files to the repository.

After selecting Commit, a prompt will appear asking for your WordPress.org account username and password. Enter your account details and press OK. Your plugin will then be uploaded to WordPress.org.

Step 5. Add Your Plugin Tags

After updating the trunk folder, you’ll need to create a tag for your plugin version. To do this, go to the tags folder and add a new folder named after your current plugin version (e.g., “1.0”). In this example, I’ll name it “1.2.1” as I’m using an older repository version. If you’re releasing an update to your plugin rather than a completely new one, the steps remain the same.

Now, paste your plugin folders and files into this new directory just as you did for the trunk folder. After that, open RapidSVN, double-click on the tags folder, and select your version. Right-click on it and choose Add Recursive, then right-click again and select Commit. This will update the tags as well.

Step-by-Step Guide to Uploading Your Plugin Using Command Line

Uploading a WordPress plugin to the WordPress.org repository is essential to share your work with the global WordPress community. This step-by-step guide will help you upload your plugin using Ubuntu/Linux, covering all requirements and tips to ensure a smooth process.

Prerequisites for Uploading a Plugin on WordPress.org

1. Create a WordPress.org Account
   First, register an account on WordPress.org if you haven't already. This account will allow you to submit your plugin and manage it once it’s live.
2. Submit Your Plugin for Review
   Go to the Add Your Plugin page on WordPress.org and submit your plugin. Once the WordPress team reviews and approves your plugin, you’ll receive access to an SVN repository dedicated to your plugin.

Step 1: Install SVN (Subversion) on Ubuntu/Linux

To upload to WordPress.org, you’ll need to use SVN (Subversion), a version control system. Install SVN on Ubuntu/Linux with the following command:

 sudo apt update
 sudo apt install subversion

Step 2: Confirm Your Plugin Slug

The plugin “slug” (URL-friendly name) will be part of the SVN repository URL, which WordPress.org provides after approval (e.g., https://plugins.svn.wordpress. org/ your-plugin-slug). Make sure to replace your-plugin-slug in the following commands with your actual slug.

Step 3: Set Up SVN Repository

In your terminal, clone the SVN repository to your local environment:

 svn co https://plugins.svn.wordpress.org/your-plugin-slug

This creates a local directory named your-plugin-slug with three folders: trunk, tags, and branches.

Step 4: Prepare Your Plugin Files for Upload

• Place your plugin files (PHP, JavaScript, CSS, etc.) inside the trunk folder.
• Ensure the plugin includes a readme.txt file, following the WordPress readme standards.

Step 5: Add Files to the SVN Repository

Navigate to your plugin’s trunk directory:

 cd your-plugin-slug/trunk

Then add all plugin files to SVN:

 svn add --force *

Step 6: Commit Changes to WordPress.org

Now it’s time to upload the plugin by committing it to the SVN repository. Run:

 svn commit -m "Initial commit of my plugin"

This command uploads your plugin files to WordPress.org, making it available for users.

Step 7: Tagging Your Plugin (Optional but Recommended)

Tags mark specific versions of your plugin. To create a version tag (e.g., version 1.0.0):

   cd ..
   svn copy trunk tags/1.0.0
   svn commit -m "Tagging version 1.0.0"

Additional Tips for Success

• Optimize the Readme File: A well-written readme.txt improves visibility on WordPress.org. Include keywords relevant to your plugin’s functionality and keep the content clear.
• Regular Updates: For future versions, make updates in the trunk folder, and commit changes through SVN.
• Use Tags for Each Release: Each plugin update can be tagged with a version number to help users identify the latest release.

Following this guide will ensure a successful plugin upload on WordPress.org. With a clear structure and regular updates, your plugin can reach and help many WordPress users.

 image credit : muhammadrehman.com