10 Must-Have WordPress Development Tools for Modern Websites

Introduction

WordPress remains one of the most popular content management systems in the world, powering millions of websites from blogs to enterprise-level platforms.

As the landscape of WordPress web development evolves, staying updated with the latest WordPress development tools is crucial for developers and businesses alike. In 2025, a combination of AI-powered tools, performance optimization utilities, and modern design platforms will be transforming how WordPress websites are built, maintained, and scaled.

In this article, we will explore the 10 must-have WordPress development tools for modern websites, their benefits, and the latest trends.

Local by Flywheel – Local Development Environment

Developers need a reliable local environment to test, build, and optimize WordPress websites before pushing changes to live servers. Local by Flywheel offers a streamlined local development setup that is both powerful and easy to use.

Key Features:

• One-click WordPress installation for quick project setup.
• SSL support for testing secure connections.
• Live link sharing to showcase progress to clients or teammates.

Benefits:

• Enables efficient testing without affecting live websites.
• Reduces downtime and prevents errors from reaching the public.
• Supports multiple PHP versions and database configurations.

Trending Insight: Local by Flywheel continues to gain popularity among WordPress developers for its intuitive interface and speed, making it an essential tool for both beginners and professionals.

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) – Code Editor

A robust code editor is indispensable for WordPress developers. VS Code offers a lightweight yet feature-rich environment that enhances coding efficiency.

Key Features:

• IntelliSense for intelligent code completion and suggestions.
• Integrated Git control for version management.
• Extensive extensions for WordPress, PHP, and JavaScript.

Benefits:

• Streamlines coding and reduces errors.
• Supports customization through themes and extensions.
• Facilitates collaboration and remote development.

Trending Insight: With its widespread adoption in the developer community, VS Code remains the preferred code editor for modern WordPress development, supporting best practices in coding and project management.

WP-CLI – Command Line Interface

WP-CLI is a command-line interface tool that allows developers to manage WordPress installations efficiently. It automates repetitive tasks and enhances productivity.

Key Features:

• Update WordPress core, plugins, and themes from the command line.
• Manage users, posts, and media efficiently.
• Perform database operations with speed and precision.

Benefits:

• Reduces manual work and human error.
• Accelerates development and deployment workflows.
• Ideal for managing multiple WordPress sites simultaneously.

Trending Insight: WP-CLI is increasingly popular for developers who prioritize automation and efficiency, especially in large-scale WordPress deployments.

Query Monitor – Debugging and Performance Monitoring

Debugging and performance monitoring are critical in modern WordPress development. Query Monitor is a plugin that provides detailed insights into database queries, PHP errors, and hooks.

Key Features:

• Database query analysis to detect slow queries.
• PHP error and warning logging.
• Monitoring of hooks, actions, and HTTP requests.

Benefits:

• Helps identify performance bottlenecks and errors.
• Ensures websites are optimized for speed and reliability.
• Provides developers with actionable insights to improve code quality.

Trending Insight: Query Monitor has become essential for developers focusing on optimization, reflecting the growing importance of website performance in SEO and user experience.

Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) – Custom Field Management

For websites requiring highly customizable content structures, Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) is a must-have plugin.

Key Features:

• Flexible content field types for various data inputs.
• User-friendly interface for developers and content creators.
• Seamless integration with themes and plugins.

Benefits:

• Enhances content management and personalization.
• Simplifies complex website structures.
• Improves site scalability and maintainability.

Trending Insight: ACF, also known as Secure Custom Fields in the WordPress ecosystem, remains widely adopted for its ability to create dynamic, custom content structures without writing excessive code.

Jetpack AI Assistant – AI-Powered Content Assistance

AI is transforming how content is created and managed on WordPress websites. Jetpack AI Assistant integrates AI capabilities directly into the WordPress block editor.

Key Features:

• Content drafting, rewriting, and summarization.
• SEO suggestions and optimization tips.
• Idea generation for blog posts, pages, and marketing content.

Benefits:

• Accelerates content creation and improves quality.
• Provides actionable insights to enhance SEO performance.
• Reduces the time spent on manual content edits.

Trending Insight: AI-powered tools like Jetpack AI Assistant are increasingly used to enhance both developer and editor productivity, reflecting a growing trend of AI integration in WordPress development.

GitHub & GitHub Actions – Version Control and Automation

Version control is crucial for collaborative development and deployment. GitHub provides a reliable platform for code management and continuous integration.

Key Features:

• Repository hosting and management.
• Automated deployment with GitHub Actions.
• Collaboration tools for teams.

Benefits:

• Maintains code integrity and history.
• Facilitates automated testing and deployment.
• Enhances teamwork and project transparency.

Trending Insight: GitHub has become indispensable for teams adopting DevOps practices, allowing seamless integration of version control with CI/CD pipelines in WordPress development.

Postman – API Development and Testing

With the rise of headless WordPress setups, API development and testing are critical. Postman offers a robust platform for building and testing APIs.

Key Features:

• Construct and test API requests.
• Validate responses and automate workflows.
• Collaboration features for teams.

Benefits:

• Ensures robust API integrations.
• Facilitates headless WordPress development.
• Reduces errors and improves efficiency in backend development.

Trending Insight: Postman is increasingly adopted in modern WordPress projects, especially those leveraging REST API or GraphQL for complex applications.

10Web AI Builder – AI-Powered Website Builder

AI is revolutionizing web design and development. 10Web AI Builder allows developers to create fully functional websites quickly using AI assistance.

Key Features:

• Chat-based site creation with AI guidance.
• Mobile-friendly responsive design templates.
• WooCommerce integration for e-commerce websites.

Benefits:

• Reduces time and effort in website creation.
• Supports rapid prototyping and client demos.
• Integrates AI for smarter design suggestions.

Trending Insight: The shift toward AI-integrated development tools like 10Web reflects the trend of automating repetitive design and development tasks to increase productivity.

Figma Sites – AI-Driven Web Design

Figma Sites bridges the gap between design and development, allowing AI-assisted design creation with direct integration into WordPress.

Key Features:

• AI-assisted design generation based on prompts.
• CMS integration for seamless content updates.
• Design system management for consistency across projects.

Benefits:

• Enhances collaboration between designers and developers.
• Accelerates website design and iteration.
• Ensures modern, responsive, and user-friendly designs.

Trending Insight: AI-driven design platforms like Figma Sites highlight the merging of web design and development workflows, emphasizing efficiency and creativity in modern WordPress projects.

Conclusion

In 2025, WordPress development is no longer just about coding a site; it’s about integrating smart tools, optimizing workflows, and leveraging AI for content creation, design, and testing.

Tools like Local by Flywheel, VS Code, WP-CLI, Query Monitor, ACF, Jetpack AI Assistant, GitHub, Postman, 10Web AI Builder, and Figma Sites represent the must-have toolkit for modern WordPress development. By embracing these tools, developers can streamline workflows, ensure better site performance, and deliver highly engaging, scalable, and secure websites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the essential WordPress development tools for 2025?

Ans: The must-have tools include Local by Flywheel, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), WP-CLI, Query Monitor, Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), Jetpack AI Assistant, GitHub & GitHub Actions, Postman, 10Web AI Builder, and Figma Sites. These tools enhance workflow, debugging, design, and AI-assisted content creation.

Q. Why should I use Local by Flywheel for WordPress development?

Ans: Local by Flywheel provides a reliable local development environment, enabling one-click WordPress installation, SSL support, and live link sharing, allowing developers to test and build sites safely before deployment.

Q. How does VS Code help WordPress developers?

Ans: VS Code is a lightweight yet powerful code editor with features like IntelliSense, Git integration, and WordPress-specific extensions, which improve coding efficiency and reduce errors.

Q. What is WP-CLI and why is it important?

Ans: WP-CLI is a command-line interface for managing WordPress installations, automating updates, user management, and database operations, saving time and improving workflow efficiency.

Q. How can Query Monitor improve website performance?

Ans: Query Monitor helps detect slow database queries, PHP errors, and other performance issues, enabling developers to optimize their WordPress sites for speed and reliability.