Extra Chill Docs

A dedicated documentation hub for the Extra Chill Platform deployed on docs.extrachill.com (Blog ID 10). Provides a clean, navigable platform-based documentation experience using custom post types and taxonomies.

Overview

Extra Chill Docs powers the documentation hub at docs.extrachill.com with:

• Platform-based organization - Documentation organized by feature (Artist Platform, Community, Events, etc.)
• Clean URL structure - /platform-slug/doc-slug/ format for intuitive navigation
• Dynamic homepage - Platform cards display only when documentation exists
• REST API - Public endpoint for documentation metadata and platform info

Features

Documentation Organization

• Custom Post Type (ec_doc) - Documentation articles with hierarchical support
• Platform Taxonomy (ec_doc_platform) - Organize docs by network site/feature
• Homepage Cards - Visual platform navigation showing available documentation
• Archive Pages - Browse all docs for a specific platform

Discovery & Search

• Platform Navigation - Browse docs by feature or product
• REST API Endpoint - The docs metadata endpoint is exposed via the extrachill-api plugin
• Network Search Integration - Integrated with extrachill-search for multisite discovery
• Breadcrumb Navigation - Clear navigation path with network dropdown

Design System

• Theme Integration - Uses extrachill theme CSS variables and design system
• Responsive Cards - Mobile-friendly platform cards with grid layout
• Conditional Display - Platforms without docs don't appear on homepage
• Theme Templates - Archive and single templates handled by extrachill theme

Deployment

This plugin is deployed as part of the Extra Chill Platform and is activated on docs.extrachill.com. Deployments and remote operations run through Homeboy (homeboy/ in this repo).

Usage

Creating Documentation

1. Navigate to Documentation

   • WordPress Admin → Documentation → Add New

2. Write Content

   • Use Gutenberg blocks for rich formatting
   • Include images, videos, step-by-step guides
   • Target non-technical users

3. Organize by Platform

   • Select relevant platform from "Platforms" sidebar
   • Only one platform per doc recommended
   • Platforms without docs don't display on homepage

4. Publish

   • Set post status to "Published"
   • URL automatically formats as /platform-slug/doc-slug/

Homepage Display

The homepage displays platform cards for platform terms that have published documentation.

Platform Archive

Each platform archive (/artist/, /community/, etc.) displays all docs for that platform with:

• Title - Doc name
• Excerpt - Brief description
• Meta - Publication date, author
• Link - Navigate to full doc

REST API

The docs metadata endpoint is implemented in the extrachill-api plugin (Docs route group). This plugin provides the ec_doc content model and frontend rendering.

Development

File Structure

extrachill-docs/
├── extrachill-docs.php              # Main plugin file
├── README.md                         # This file
├── CLAUDE.md                         # Technical documentation
├── inc/
│   ├── core/
│   │   ├── post-types.php           # ec_doc registration
│   │   ├── taxonomies.php           # ec_doc_platform + seeding
│   │   └── assets.php                # CSS enqueuing
│   └── home/
│       └── homepage-cards.php        # Homepage cards block
└── assets/
    └── css/
        └── docs.css                  # Card grid styles

Key Functions

Post Type Registration (post-types.php):

// Register ec_doc custom post type
register_post_type('ec_doc', [...]);

Platform Seeding (taxonomies.php):

// Create default platforms on activation
extrachill_docs_seed_platforms();

Homepage Cards (homepage-cards.php):

// Display platform cards on homepage
add_action('extrachill_homepage_content', 'extrachill_docs_homepage_cards');

REST Endpoint:

• Implemented in the extrachill-api plugin.

Conditional Display

Platforms without published documentation are automatically hidden:

// Query only platforms with published docs
$platforms = get_terms([
    'taxonomy' => 'ec_doc_platform',
    'hide_empty' => true  // Only platforms with posts
]);

Theme Integration

The plugin relies on extrachill theme for:

• CSS Variables - Design tokens from root.css
• Archive Template - Theme template for doc archives
• Single Template - Theme template for single docs
• Breadcrumbs - Theme breadcrumb system
• Navigation - Network dropdown in header

Architecture

Custom Post Type: ec_doc

• Hierarchical: Supports parent/child relationships
• Supports: Title, editor, excerpt, custom-fields, thumbnail
• Permalinks: Uses platform taxonomy in URL slug
• UI: Dedicated "Documentation" admin menu

Custom Taxonomy: ec_doc_platform

• Hierarchical: Supports nested platforms
• Terms: 8 default platforms (seeded on activation)
• Filtering: Archive pages filtered by platform
• Display: Platform cards on homepage show only active platforms

Homepage Integration

Plugin hooks into extrachill_homepage_content action to render platform cards instead of default homepage content:

add_action('extrachill_homepage_content', function() {
    // Render platform cards
    echo extrachill_docs_get_platform_cards();
});

Security

• Capability Checks: Uses WordPress default post/taxonomy capabilities
• Escaping: All output properly escaped
• Sanitization: All input sanitized via WordPress functions
• REST API: Public endpoint, no sensitive data exposed

Content Guidelines

For Documentation Writers:

1. Write for End Users

   • Avoid technical jargon
   • Explain what, why, and how
   • Use non-technical language

2. Use Visual Walkthroughs

   • Include screenshots
   • Add videos if helpful
   • Annotate steps clearly

3. Step-by-Step Format

   • Number each step
   • Use bold for buttons/menus
   • Include expected results

4. Organize Logically

   • One feature per doc
   • Build on previous knowledge
   • Cross-link related topics

5. Keep Updated

   • Review regularly
   • Update when features change
   • Remove outdated information

Notes

Platforms Not Showing on Homepage

Problem: Platform cards not displaying on docs homepage.

Solutions:

1. Ensure plugin is activated on Blog ID 10 (docs.extrachill.com)
2. Verify platforms are seeded:
   • Admin → Documentation → Platforms
   • Should show 8 default platforms
3. Add published documentation:
   • Create a new doc
   • Assign to a platform
   • Publish
4. Check theme is active and extrachill-docs is activated

REST Endpoint Returns Empty

Problem: /wp-json/extrachill/v1/docs-info returns empty platforms.

Solutions:

1. Verify published docs exist:
   • Admin → Documentation → All Documentation
   • Filter by status "Published"
2. Ensure platforms are assigned:
   • Each doc should have a platform taxonomy term
3. Check permalinks:
   • Settings → Permalinks → Save (flush rewrite rules)
4. Verify site is multisite:
   • Plugin requires WordPress multisite network

CSS Not Loading Properly

Problem: Homepage cards don't display correctly.

Solutions:

1. Verify extrachill theme is active
2. Check CSS is enqueuing:
   • Admin → Appearance → Customizer
   • Check "Additional CSS" section
3. Clear WordPress object cache
4. Check browser console for CSS errors

Build & Deployment

Production Build

# From plugin directory
./build.sh

# Output: build/extrachill-docs.zip

Deployment Process

1. Run build script to create ZIP (./build.sh)
2. Deploy build/extrachill-docs.zip via Homeboy (or your preferred deploy pipeline)
3. Activate on docs.extrachill.com (Blog ID 10)
4. Verify platforms seeded in admin

Contributing

Getting Help

• Check CLAUDE.md for technical details
• Review error logs in wp-content/debug.log
• Inspect browser console for frontend errors

Contributing

1. Follow WordPress coding standards
2. Test changes on local dev environment
3. Update CLAUDE.md with technical changes
4. Create documentation for new features
5. Submit for code review

Version History

See docs/CHANGELOG.md.

License

GPL v2 or later - Part of the Extra Chill Platform ecosystem.

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Plugin: Extra Chill Docs Author: Chris Huber Version: 0.3.3 WordPress: 5.0+ License: GPL v2+ Network: Site-activated (Blog ID 10 only)