This session revisited one of WordPress core’s most underexamined systems: user roles and capabilities. While roles have existed for years, many sites still fall into the pattern of granting administrator access by default. This presentation explored practical strategies for using roles correctly and safely in modern WordPress environments.

WPCampus 2023, New Orleans, LA
July 12, 2023

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Summary

WordPress roles and capabilities have remained largely unchanged for years, yet they continue to be misunderstood and misused. This session examined how the role system actually works under the hood and why relying on the Administrator role as a default solution introduces security, governance, and maintenance risks.

The presentation reviewed the distinction between roles and capabilities, the importance of least-privilege access, and how to customize capabilities for specific editorial workflows. Examples included modifying existing roles, creating custom roles, and programmatically assigning capabilities through code rather than relying solely on plugins.

Common pitfalls

• Granting Administrator access for convenience
• Confusing roles with individual capabilities
• Relying on UI plugins without understanding underlying capability mappings
• Failing to review role permissions as a site evolves

Core takeaways

• Use the principle of least privilege as a baseline for all user accounts
• Understand capabilities before modifying roles
• Treat role management as part of site architecture, not an afterthought
• Avoid the “just make them an admin” shortcut