WordPress taxonomy tools

Manage categories, tags and custom taxonomies with the same tools on a direct site connection or through the multisite network gateway.

Read terms and revisions

wp_get_terms requires taxonomy. Optional fields are per_page (1–100, default 50), page (default 1), search, hide_empty, parent and language. Results are ordered by term ID, so renaming does not move records between pages. Follow next_page until it is null. Adding or deleting terms during an inventory can still affect pagination.

Omit language to include all languages. A language filter requires that language to be installed. Each item includes id, taxonomy, name, slug, description, parent, language, translations, count, POM image URLs and position under pom, and revision. Translation fields are populated when the site's translation integration provides them.

wp_get_term takes taxonomy and term_id and returns the same detailed snapshot. Use its revision as expected_revision for an update or deletion. The taxonomy's own management capability is required, including custom capability names.

Name-only and order-only batches

wp_rename_terms accepts taxonomy and changes, with 1–50 rows containing only term_id, name and expected_revision. It does not accept slugs or other editable fields. It previews all rows before execution and checks that each term's slug, parent, description, POM fields and language links remain unchanged.

wp_reorder_terms uses rows containing term_id, order and expected_revision. Lower positions appear first in POM term ordering. Only supplied positions change; other terms are not automatically renumbered. POM Theme must be active.

Both support dry_run and the shared user-approval workflow. Inspect complete and every row in results. Hooks or concurrent edits can interrupt a batch after earlier rows have succeeded. Read the affected terms before preparing another batch.

Tool reference

• wp_get_taxonomies: discover public or editor-visible content taxonomies and whether the current user can manage them.
• wp_get_categories: compact category listing.
• wp_get_tags: compact tag listing.
• wp_count_terms: count terms.
• wp_create_term: create a term.
• wp_update_term: edit names, slugs, descriptions, parents, POM images and order.
• wp_delete_term: delete at the current revision.
• wp_add_post_terms: assign terms to a post; replaces its terms unless append: true.
• wp_get_term_meta: read one permitted metadata field.
• wp_update_term_meta: update one permitted metadata field.
• wp_delete_term_meta: remove one permitted metadata field.

The compact category/tag tools retain their existing response shape. Use wp_get_terms for pagination, hierarchy, language and revision information. Metadata tools retain their own field allowlist; use the typed term fields for POM thumbnails, backgrounds and position.

Related: Organize taxonomies, review and approve writes.