wp-background-processinglisted

Use when a WordPress plugin needs to run work outside the HTTP request cycle — scheduling async or recurring jobs with Action Scheduler (as_enqueue_async_action, as_schedule_single_action, as_schedule_recurring_action, as_unschedule_action), implementing WP_Background_Process (push_to_queue, save, dispatch, is_queue_empty), registering WP Cron events (wp_schedule_event, wp_clear_scheduled_hook), batch-processing large datasets without hitting PHP timeouts, tracking job progress, handling retries on failure, or debugging the actionscheduler_actions table. Triggers: "schedule this for later", "run this without hitting timeout", "queue these items for background processing", "why is my cron not running", "Action Scheduler job keeps failing", "as_enqueue_async_action", "WP_Background_Process", "push_to_queue", "dispatch the queue", "DISABLE_WP_CRON", "process records in batches", "send emails in the background", "WP Cron not firing", "batch import without timeout", "scheduled action not running", "background job
mralaminahamed/wp-dev-skills · ★ 27 · Code & Development · score 77

Install: claude install-skill mralaminahamed/wp-dev-skills

# WordPress Background Processing > **Model note:** Scaffolding a new Action Scheduler or `WP_Background_Process` implementation is pattern-matching — `haiku` handles it well. Debugging a stuck queue or race condition across async jobs requires reasoning; use `sonnet`. Implement background jobs and queued tasks in WordPress plugins. Three primary tools with distinct trade-offs: Action Scheduler (persistent, battle-tested), `WP_Background_Process` (lightweight, no DB table), WP Cron (built-in, unreliable timing). ## When to use - "Process a large batch of items in the background", "queue a long-running task". - "Set up Action Scheduler", "use WooCommerce queue". - "Implement WP_Background_Process", "chunked batch import". - "Background email sending", "async API calls". - "Fix a WP Cron job not firing", "make scheduled tasks reliable". - "The scheduled action completes but nothing happens", "the handler only runs in the admin". **Not for:** One-off scheduled events (use `wp_schedule_single_event`). REST API async patterns — use `wp-rest-api`. ## Method ### 1. Choose the right tool | Tool | Persistent | Retry | Progress | Requires | Best for | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | Action Scheduler | ✅ DB table | ✅ Configurable | Via hooks | AS or WC | Reliable multi-step queues | | WP_Background_Process | ✅ Options API | ❌ Manual | Via option | ~5KB class | Simple batches, no WC dep | | WP Cron | ❌ (transient) | ❌ | ❌ | Nothing | Maintenance, low-priority tasks | **Rule of thumb