Title: Desktop Mode
Author: Daniel López Sánchez
Published: ግንቦት 7, 2026
Last modified: ግንቦት 15, 2026
---
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# Desktop Mode
By [Daniel López Sánchez](https://profiles.wordpress.org/allterraindeveloper/)
[Download](https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/desktop-mode.0.8.5.zip)
* [Details](https://am.wordpress.org/plugins/desktop-mode/#description)
* [Reviews](https://am.wordpress.org/plugins/desktop-mode/#reviews)
* [Installation](https://am.wordpress.org/plugins/desktop-mode/#installation)
* [Development](https://am.wordpress.org/plugins/desktop-mode/#developers)
[ድጋፍ](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/desktop-mode/)
## ማብራሪያ
Desktop Mode renders /wp-admin as a desktop operating system. Admin screens open
as draggable, resizable, minimizable windows on a desktop, with a left-edge dock
built from the admin menu. The classic admin stays untouched for everyone else,
and deactivating the plugin restores vanilla Core exactly.
Built and maintained by [Automattic](https://automattic.com) — the company behind
WordPress.com, Jetpack, WooCommerce, and Tumblr. Zero Core patches: every feature
is wired through public WordPress hooks.
#### Highlights
* **Per-user opt-in.** An admin-bar toggle flips a user-meta flag; nobody else
sees any change.
* **Window system.** Iframe windows load admin pages chromelessly. Native windows
render directly in the parent DOM via a public registration API. Both share drag,
resize, minimize, maximize, fullscreen, and detach-to-new-tab.
* **Dock + taskbar.** Left-edge dock for core menus; bottom macOS-style pill taskbar
for plugin menus. Letter-badge icon fallback for plugins without icon art.
* **Virtual desktops (“Spaces”).** Multiple desktops per user, each with its own
window set. Overview grid surfaces the Spaces switcher and thumbnails.
* **Arrange & snap.** Cascade, Tile, Overview, Snap-to-grid. Plugins contribute
custom entries.
* **Wallpaper & widget registries.** Server- and client-side registration. CSS
presets plus canvas (WebGL/2D) wallpapers with collision-aware surface data for
snow/rain/physics effects.
* **Desktop icons.** Wallpaper-layer shortcuts that open native windows or admin
URLs.
* **AI Copilot (optional).** Cmd+K palette backed by an agentic loop with built-
in search tools. Disabled until you supply an API key. See “External services”
below.
* **Slash commands & palettes.** Public registration APIs for plugin authors.
* **Cross-frame drag bridge.** Media-library attachments drag across iframe boundaries.
* **Session persistence.** Window stack (including desktops, focus, state) restored
across reloads.
* **i18n.** Full gettext coverage across PHP and TypeScript; Spanish translation
shipped.
#### For plugin authors
Desktop Mode is built to be extended. Every significant behavior is hookable — add
a desktop icon, register a dock item, gate desktop mode by role, react to window
events, or register a native window, all from your own plugin with zero patches
here.
Comprehensive PHP and JavaScript hook surface, plus stable `desktop_mode_register_*`
functions for windows, widgets, wallpapers, icons, window tabs, commands, settings
tabs, and AI tools. See the [developer docs on GitHub](https://github.com/WordPress/desktop-mode/tree/trunk/docs).
#### External services
This plugin’s optional **AI Copilot** sends data to **OpenAI** (`https://api.openai.
com/v1/responses`) when, and only when, an administrator configures an OpenAI API
key in **Settings AI**. With no key configured, no external requests are made.
When the AI Copilot is enabled and a user invokes it (via Cmd+K or the slash-command
palette):
* **What is sent:** the user’s prompt, the conversation history for the active
session, the chosen model identifier (e.g. `gpt-4o-mini`), and tool-call metadata.
The plugin’s built-in tools (`search_posts`, `search_pages`, `search_comments`)
may include excerpts of the matching posts/pages/comments in tool results, which
are then sent back to OpenAI as part of the agentic loop.
* **When it is sent:** on user-initiated AI requests, and (if enabled) on `save_post`,
term-save, and comment-save hooks for auto-analysis. Auto-analysis runs server-
side as part of the post-save flow.
* **Why it is sent:** to obtain model completions and tool-call decisions that
drive the AI Copilot.
* **Who provides the service:** OpenAI, L.L.C. — see the [OpenAI Terms of Use](https://openai.com/policies/row-terms-of-use/)
and the [OpenAI Privacy Policy](https://openai.com/policies/row-privacy-policy/).
The AI Copilot’s provider layer is also extensible: third-party plugins may register
additional providers via `desktop_mode_register_ai_provider()`. Those providers
may send data to other endpoints; review each plugin’s own privacy disclosure separately.
No other external services are contacted by this plugin.
### Credits
Desktop Mode is brought to you by [Automattic](https://automattic.com). The plugin
is open source under GPLv2-or-later; contributions are welcome on [GitHub](https://github.com/WordPress/desktop-mode).
#### Third-party libraries
The plugin bundles the following third-party JavaScript library, loaded on demand
only when a feature that needs it is in use:
* **[PixiJS](https://pixijs.com/)** (MIT License) — used by the interactive **OS
Settings About** scene, the **Content Graph** window, and built-in canvas wallpapers(
e.g. the animated WordPress logo). PixiJS is loaded from the plugin’s own `assets/
vendor/` directory; no CDN requests are made.
## መጫን
1. Upload the plugin folder to `/wp-content/plugins/`, or install via **Plugins Add
New Upload Plugin**.
2. Activate the plugin through the **Plugins** screen in WordPress.
3. Click the **desktop** icon in the admin bar’s top-right corner. The admin reloads
inside the desktop shell.
4. Click the same icon again at any time to return to the classic admin.
#### Optional: enable the AI Copilot
1. Open **Settings AI** inside desktop mode.
2. Paste an OpenAI API key and pick a model.
3. Press **Cmd+K** (or **Ctrl+K**) anywhere in desktop mode to open the AI palette.
## የተለመዱ ጥያቄዎች
### Does this change anything for users who don’t opt in?
No. The classic admin is untouched until a user toggles desktop mode on for themselves.
Deactivating the plugin restores vanilla Core exactly.
### Does the plugin require an external service to function?
No. The desktop shell, windowing, dock, taskbar, virtual desktops, widgets, wallpapers,
and all extension APIs work entirely on-site. The AI Copilot is the only feature
that contacts an external service, and it is disabled until an administrator configures
an API key. See “External services” in the description.
### Does it patch WordPress core?
No. Every feature is wired through public WordPress actions and filters.
### How do I disable desktop mode for my user?
Click the desktop icon in the admin bar a second time to flip the toggle off. The
plugin can also be deactivated globally from the Plugins screen.
### Where is the developer documentation?
In `docs/` inside the plugin, and on [GitHub](https://github.com/WordPress/desktop-mode/tree/trunk/docs).
The hook reference, JavaScript reference, bridge protocol, and copy-paste examples
all live there.
## Reviews
### [An impressive achievement, a fun novelty, but I hope not the future of WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/an-impressive-achievement-a-fun-novelty-but-i-hope-not-the-future-of-wordpress/)
[Scott Anderson](https://profiles.wordpress.org/room34alt/) ግንቦት 18, 2026 3 replies
As someone steeped in the evolution of computer interfaces since before GUIs existed(
other than inside Xerox PARC anyway), I find this incredibly fun to play around
with, and I’m genuinely impressed with what has been accomplished here. At the same
time… I’m not convinced it’s a good idea to replace the default WordPress interface
with this, and I’m a little troubled that Automattic is putting resources into this,
potentially at the expense of addressing more fundamental issues within WordPress.
Yes, you can make WordPress look like an OS, but… why? Aside from it being a shiny
new toy, I don’t think it actually makes WordPress easier to use for people who
are challenged by the current interface. This creates a situation where there’s
an uncanny valley not-quite-Windows-not-quite-Mac-not-quite-Linux desktop, in a
web browser window, on a device that already runs one of those actual GUI-based
OSes. The people I know who struggle to understand the WordPress interface are not
going to find this easier to use; if anything, it will be more confusing.
### [A Revolutionary new WordPress Admin Experience](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/a-revolutionary-new-wordpress-admin-experience/)
[spackenjaeger](https://profiles.wordpress.org/spackenjaeger/) ግንቦት 18, 2026 1
reply
Absolutely blown away by this plugin. Desktop Mode completely transforms the WordPress
admin experience into something that feels modern, productive, and actually fun
to use. Littlebit like a Linux Distribution :-). The draggable windows, dock, taskbar,
and desktop-like workflow make managing multiple admin pages incredibly efficient.
It genuinely feels like using a lightweight operating system inside WordPress. What
impressed me most is how polished and thoughtfully designed everything is. Despite
the huge visual transformation, it still respects the native WordPress experience
and remains fully optional per user. Performance is surprisingly smooth, and features
like virtual desktops and window management make multitasking much easier for developers
and power users. You can clearly see the amount of work and innovation that went
into this project. This is one of the most creative WordPress admin plugins I’ve
seen in years. Highly recommended for anyone who spends a lot of time inside wp-
admin and wants a faster, more enjoyable workflow.
### [One Word !](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/one-word-7/)
[nick6352683](https://profiles.wordpress.org/nick6352683/) ግንቦት 13, 2026 1 reply
Un-freaking-believable !Ok, may be more than one word. This will be beyond excellent
when completed and some of the bugs are fixed. I hope one thing returns that was
there in the earlier versions – if you clicked anywhere on the desktop, all open“
windows” (folders) would minimize, and once minimized, clicking on the desktop again,
all the windows would come back. Now, we have to right mouse click and choose a
menu option to do those things – WHY?Anyway, love this plugin, it has some interesting
ways to show some things… the new screens are really good.
### [Very interesting experience](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/very-interesting-experience/)
[andergmartins](https://profiles.wordpress.org/andergmartins/) ግንቦት 12, 2026 1
reply
Great for apps and for keeping focused on the job.
### [I recommend it](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/i-recommend-it-43/)
[tshhopov](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tshhopov/) ግንቦት 12, 2026 1 reply
Looks amazing, thank you
### [Excelente!](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/excelente-4239/)
[Alpha Vale Tec](https://profiles.wordpress.org/donatelol/) ግንቦት 12, 2026 1 reply
Parabéns pelo projeto. Ficou muito bom
[ Read all 12 reviews ](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/desktop-mode/reviews/)
## Contributors & Developers
“Desktop Mode” is open source software. The following people have contributed to
this plugin.
Contributors
* [ Daniel López Sánchez ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/allterraindeveloper/)
* [ Automattic ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/automattic/)
* [ Roberto Aranda ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/epeicher/)
“Desktop Mode” has been translated into 1 locale. Thank you to [the translators](https://translate.wordpress.org/projects/wp-plugins/desktop-mode/contributors)
for their contributions.
[Translate “Desktop Mode” into your language.](https://translate.wordpress.org/projects/wp-plugins/desktop-mode)
### Interested in development?
[Browse the code](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/desktop-mode/), check
out the [SVN repository](https://plugins.svn.wordpress.org/desktop-mode/), or subscribe
to the [development log](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/log/desktop-mode/) by
[RSS](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/log/desktop-mode/?limit=100&mode=stop_on_copy&format=rss).
## Changelog
#### 0.8.5
* Shared folders, heartbeat widget, and heartbeat-pipeline hardening
* Recycle Bin: show item type badges inline next to title
* Plugins window: expandable rows with rich plugin details
* Remember native window size across opens
* Fix blank plugin icons in the Plugins window
* Restore “Show desktop on wallpaper click” as an opt-in setting
* Fix plugin update refresh, dock badge, and stuck-row failures
* Trash bin polish: URL badge, live placement badge, no media auto-trash
* Throw on empty REST body to avoid TypeError after self-replace
* Hide Media filter tab when MEDIA_TRASH is off
* Sequence openCurrentPage after restoreSession to avoid duplicate windows
* Fix window refresh issue on new sessions
#### 0.8.4
* Faster Desktop Mode, main bundle cut by 59 %
* “Edit Post” from the front-end admin bar opens nothing
* Cross-page admin-link clicks: state, destructive actions, referer hint
* Warn loudly when a `` tag is used without being imported
* Support re-uploading existing plugins, add post-install Activate panel
* Restore the full WordPress command palette inside Cmd+K
#### 0.8.3
* Feat comments as native windows
* Chrome <111 titlebars + duplicate-placement REST 500s
* SW navigation interception caused window-in-window after core update
* Open each post as its own window from the Posts window
* Fix Users window data + live-refresh, plus per-window REST clients
* Session-expiry cascade + Plugins window sync
* Narrow scope to /wp-admin/ and throttle SW reloads
* Plugins window: real updates, not just a phantom badge
* Support plain permalinks for REST URL construction
* Hide registered icons from desktop instead of trashing
#### 0.8.2
* Many fixes and new features
* Add unit test to ensure bridge script skips core AJAX update buttons
* Native Plugins window + ``
* Appearance window polish + dock-peek fixes
* Fix upload theme
* Implement favicon resolver and associated tests for desktop mode
* Auto-inject X-WP-Nonce for REST API requests
* Enhance user management functionality in WordPress REST API
* Fix user role updates
* Fix plugin native issues
* Enhance color scheme preview functionality by adding shell scheme flipping
* Fix rearrange icons out of desktop
* Open each post in its own window
* Add item visibility and dock order settings
* Add first-run welcome dialog for Desktop Mode
* Fix dock management
* Refetch desktop placements on Recycle Bin restore
#### 0.8.1
* Framework rework and stability improvements — significant internals refactor,
smoother window lifecycle, and more reliable bridging between iframe and native
windows.
* Drag and drop reworked end-to-end: calmer pointer behavior, more accurate hit-
testing, and reliable handoff across windows.
* Posts, Pages, and Users now open as native desktop windows — direct DOM rendering
inside the shell instead of an iframe, faster open, instant interaction, and
UI tailored to the windowing model.
* New Content Graph tool — an interactive map of how your content links together.
Pan, zoom, and focus a node to explore its neighborhood.
* Cross-page admin link routing in the chromeless bridge so links across the admin
stay inside the desktop shell.
* Many bug fixes across the admin bar, Fullscreen toggle, resize handles over iframes,
real-time icon refresh on plugin activation, and the PWA shell.
#### 0.5.1
* Code editor and framework improvements.
* Enhanced AI provider integration: third-party providers may register through `
desktop_mode_register_ai_provider()`.
* Title-bar button registry with icon painting for plugin authors.
* OS Settings tabs are now extensible via `desktop_mode_register_settings_tab_script()`/`
desktop_mode_register_settings_tab()`.
* AI Copilot extensibility: server-side tool registry (`desktop_mode_register_ai_tool()`)
and client-side `wp.desktop.ai.ask()` programmatic entry point.
* UI component kit expansion (~25 `` web components).
* Backtick hotkey to cycle window focus.
* Unified command palettes via the palette registry.
* OS Settings Help tab.
#### 0.5.0
* Command registration APIs (`desktop_mode_register_command_script()` / `desktop_mode_register_command()`)
with live install/activate refresh.
* Media-library enhancement enabled by default, with opt-out.
* Dock CSS selectors updated; overflow handling improved.
See the [GitHub releases page](https://github.com/WordPress/desktop-mode/releases)
for the full history.
## Meta
* Version **0.8.5**
* Last updated **4 ቀኖች ago**
* Active installations **1,000+**
* WordPress version ** 6.0 or higher **
* Tested up to **6.9.4**
* PHP version ** 7.4 or higher **
* Languages
* [English (US)](https://wordpress.org/plugins/desktop-mode/) እና [Turkish](https://tr.wordpress.org/plugins/desktop-mode/).
* [Translate into your language](https://translate.wordpress.org/projects/wp-plugins/desktop-mode)
* Tags
* [admin](https://am.wordpress.org/plugins/tags/admin/)[AI](https://am.wordpress.org/plugins/tags/ai/)
[desktop](https://am.wordpress.org/plugins/tags/desktop/)[productivity](https://am.wordpress.org/plugins/tags/productivity/)
[ui](https://am.wordpress.org/plugins/tags/ui/)
* [Advanced View](https://am.wordpress.org/plugins/desktop-mode/advanced/)
## Ratings
4.9 out of 5 stars.
* [ 11 5-star reviews ](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/desktop-mode/reviews/?filter=5)
* [ 1 4-star review ](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/desktop-mode/reviews/?filter=4)
* [ 0 3-star reviews ](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/desktop-mode/reviews/?filter=3)
* [ 0 2-star reviews ](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/desktop-mode/reviews/?filter=2)
* [ 0 1-star reviews ](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/desktop-mode/reviews/?filter=1)
[Your review](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/desktop-mode/reviews/#new-post)
[See all reviews](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/desktop-mode/reviews/)
## Contributors
* [ Daniel López Sánchez ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/allterraindeveloper/)
* [ Automattic ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/automattic/)
* [ Roberto Aranda ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/epeicher/)
## ድጋፍ
Issues resolved in last two months:
2 out of 5
[View support forum](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/desktop-mode/)