Code review with me: WP-multicomment-threads
I was searching for a very specific set of features in a WordPress plugin. As searching on search engines was not helping, I asked ChatGPT to interactively ask me questions about my requirements and suggest a free plugin.
The WP-multicomment-threads I wanted
Those of you who remember Squidoo will remember the side-by-side debate module. Comments could be added to one column or the other to make the case for or against something.
I wanted that. I was thinking a page with two child pages to hold the for and against comments. That way, it could also take WebMentions with a target for each side.
As a plugin, ideally. Something already tested.
The WP-multicomment-threads I got
Chat did not know of anything that matched. So it gave me some code.
I’ve created a repository on GitHub and plan to review and refine the code. Please join me as we code review ChatGPT.
Read more to see the code and find out what happened next. (Mastodon users might see some ugly code view on the original page to see nicely formatted code).
WP-multicomment-threads Version 1 – ChatGPT’s draft
<?php/** * Plugin Name: Comments of Another Post * Description: Provides a shortcode [comments_of post_id=123] to embed comments from another post or page. * Version: 1.0 * Author: ChatGPT and me */function coa_render_comments($atts) { $atts = shortcode_atts([ 'post_id' => 0, 'show_form' => false, ], $atts); $post_id = intval($atts['post_id']); if (!$post_id || get_post_status($post_id) !== 'publish') { return '<p>Invalid or unpublished post ID.</p>'; } // Setup global $post global $post; $old_post = $post; $post = get_post($post_id); setup_postdata($post); // Start output buffering ob_start(); // Output comments if (comments_open($post_id) || get_comments_number($post_id)) { comments_template('/comments.php', true); } else { echo '<p>No comments yet.</p>'; } // Optional form if ($atts['show_form'] && comments_open($post_id)) { comment_form(['comment_notes_after' => ''], $post_id); } // Reset global $post wp_reset_postdata(); $post = $old_post; return ob_get_clean();}add_shortcode('comments_of', 'coa_render_comments'); WP-multicomment-threads Version 2 – edited by humans with better features
I am having a painful headache day. Clearly, my reviewed and refined version might not happen today.
I will post an update once I have made changes.
You can see the most recent version on GitHub.
Vision for the future
I’d like to end up with a WP-multicomment-threads that is robust, works with the block editor, and is easy to use. This will probably mean that I have to roll up my leaves and get my hands dirty with the JavaScript monster that is part of the block editor. I call it a monster because I find it super off-putting. I’d rather not touch it but will probably have to do so.
All help is appreciated.
Other blue sky wishes include:
- Object Oriented
- Good class abstraction
- Easy to maintain
- Developer friendly
- End user-friendly
- Not just maintained by me
- Fun to play with
Let the code review begin. Fork me on GitHub.
Syndicated to:
️ Superpower | June 24, 2025 - 8:00 p.m.
