Get started building extensions

This section provides guides and resources for building, testing, and distributing WooCommerce extensions.

Important: Internal vs public code

Not all WooCommerce code is intended for use by extensions. Classes in the Automattic\WooCommerce\Internal namespace and code marked with @internal are for WooCommerce core use only: backwards compatibility between WooCommerce releases is not guaranteed and your extension may break if you use them. See the extension development best practices and the Internal namespace documentation.

Getting started

• Design a simple extension - Learn extension architecture and best practices
• Build your first extension - Create your first WooCommerce extension
• Core concepts - Master fundamental concepts like plugin headers, lifecycle management, and security

Submit to the WooCommerce Marketplace

Join the WooCommerce Marketplace and get your extension in front of 3.6M+ active stores worldwide.

Learn more about why extension developers are choosing the WooCommerce Marketplace and submit your extension

Quality Insights Toolkit (QIT)

Available to all developers with a WooCommerce.com vendor profile

QIT (Quality Insights Toolkit) is a testing platform developed by WooCommerce for plugins and themes. It allows developers to quickly run a variety of managed tests out-of-the-box, as well as integrate their own custom E2E tests to ensure their extensions are reliable, secure, and compatible.

Key features

• Managed test suites: Run pre-configured end-to-end tests, activation tests, security scans, PHPStan analysis, API tests, and more
• Custom E2E testing: Write and run your own Playwright-based E2E tests directly through QIT
• Continuous quality checks: Seamlessly integrate QIT into your development workflows via CLI, GitHub Actions, and more
• Marketplace integration: Currently in closed beta for extensions listed on the WooCommerce Marketplace

Learn more about QIT

Development tools

• Extension scaffolds - Learn how to scaffold new extensions with our create-woo-extension package.
• WooCommerce CLI - Command-line tools for WooCommerce development