RSP ResellersPanel Helper Plugin rsp-helper

Yeah I’m pretty sure I know what function returns plan data/ THe shortcode for it and almost all shortcodes are in teh resellerspanel.php file. It then refers to teh plans.php file in the templates folder. So it seems like ot me the first step is we need to create a framwork for the RSP helper plugin before anything.
Copilot said

You’re thinking about this exactly the right way — and yes, before you touch templates, markup, CSS, or page design, you need a clean, minimal framework for your RSP helper plugin.

Not the full plugin. Not the shortcodes. Not the templates. Just the framework — the skeleton everything else will plug into.

This is the part that makes the rest of the project sane instead of chaotic.

Let’s walk through it in a way that matches how you think: mechanical, minimal, and future‑proof.

🧱 Why the helper plugin must come first

Because once you have:

  • a namespace
  • a file structure
  • a template loader
  • a shortcode registration system
  • a safe place to override RP templates

…everything else becomes modular.

Without this, you’d be:

  • scattering overrides in a child theme
  • mixing logic and markup
  • duplicating code
  • fighting Blocksy
  • fighting the RP plugin
  • creating technical debt before you even start

You’re right to want the framework first. It’s the foundation.

🌿 What the helper plugin actually needs (and nothing more)

You don’t need a full plugin yet. You need a bare‑bones architecture that supports:

✔ Custom shortcodes

✔ Template overrides

✔ A clean folder structure

✔ A template loader function

✔ Access to RP’s dynamic data

✔ Zero markup yet

✔ Zero CSS yet

This is the minimal viable structure.

🧩 The correct folder structure (simple, clean, future‑proof)

Code
/rsp-helper/
    rsp-helper.php
    /shortcodes/
        plans.php
        domains.php
        vps.php
        dedicated.php
    /templates/
        plans.php
        domains.php
        vps.php
        dedicated.php
    /assets/
        css/
        js/

You don’t need to fill these files yet. You just need the structure.

🔧 The plugin bootstrap file (rsp-helper.php)

This file does only three things:

1. Defines the plugin

2. Loads your shortcodes

3. Loads your template loader

That’s it.

No markup. No CSS. No logic. Just the skeleton.

🧠 How the template loader works

This is the key to the entire architecture.

Your loader will:

  • accept a template name
  • look in your plugin’s load the file
  • pass the RP data array into it
  • output your markup

This is how you override RP’s outdated HTML without touching their plugin.

It’s the same pattern WooCommerce uses.

🎯 Why this must come before design

Because once the framework exists:

  • you can override you can rewrite the markup cleanly
  • you can style it cleanly
  • you can build templates cleanly
  • you can integrate with Blocksy cleanly
  • you can build your 3 page templates cleanly

Everything becomes modular and predictable.

Without the helper plugin, you’d be hacking things together.

⭐ Bottom line

You’re absolutely right:

✔ The helper plugin framework is the first real step.

✔ It gives you a clean place to override RP templates.

✔ It keeps everything dynamic.

✔ It keeps everything maintainable.

✔ It makes the rest of the build dramatically easier.

You’re not overthinking this — you’re finally at the point where the architecture becomes real.

If you want, I can walk you through:

  • the exact plugin header
  • the template loader function
  • the shortcode registration system
  • the cleanest way to hook into RP’s data
  • the first override (plans.php)

Just tell me when you want to start scaffolding the plugin.

You said
I want to start. I am clueless. I have never ever dabbled in writing a plugin.
Copilot said

Perfect. This is exactly the right moment to start, because you’re not carrying any bad habits or legacy WordPress assumptions. I’ll walk you through this in a way that’s mechanical, minimal, and impossible to screw up.

You don’t need to “know plugins.” You just need to follow a sequence of tiny steps.

Let’s build the foundation — nothing fancy, nothing overwhelming.

🧱 STEP 1 — Create the plugin folder

On your computer (or directly in

Code
rsp-helper

Inside it, create one file:

Code
rsp-helper.php

That’s it. One folder, one file.

🧩 STEP 2 — Add the plugin header

Open

php
<span class="hljs-meta"><?php</span>
<span class="hljs-comment">/**
 * Plugin Name: RSP Helper
 * Description: Custom shortcodes and template overrides for ResellersPanel.
 * Version: 0.1
 * Author: Larry
 */</span>

<span class="hljs-keyword">if</span> (!<span class="hljs-title function_ invoke__">defined</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'ABSPATH'</span>)) {
    <span class="hljs-keyword">exit</span>;
}

This is the minimum required to make WordPress recognize it as a plugin.

Now go to WP Admin → Plugins and you’ll see “RSP Helper.” Activate it.

You’ve officially created your first plugin.

🧱 STEP 3 — Create the folder structure

Inside

Code
/shortcodes
/templates
/assets

You don’t need to put anything in them yet.

This is your skeleton.

🧠 STEP 4 — Add a template loader (the heart of the plugin)

This is the engine that will let you override RP’s markup without touching their plugin.

Add this to

php
<span class="hljs-function"><span class="hljs-keyword">function</span> <span class="hljs-title">rsp_helper_load_template</span>(<span class="hljs-params"><span class="hljs-variable">$template_name</span>, <span class="hljs-variable">$vars</span> = <span class="hljs-keyword">array</span>()</span>) </span>{
    <span class="hljs-variable">$template_path</span> = <span class="hljs-title function_ invoke__">plugin_dir_path</span>(<span class="hljs-keyword">__FILE__</span>) . <span class="hljs-string">'templates/'</span> . <span class="hljs-variable">$template_name</span> . <span class="hljs-string">'.php'</span>;

    <span class="hljs-keyword">if</span> (<span class="hljs-title function_ invoke__">file_exists</span>(<span class="hljs-variable">$template_path</span>)) {
        <span class="hljs-title function_ invoke__">extract</span>(<span class="hljs-variable">$vars</span>);
        <span class="hljs-keyword">include</span> <span class="hljs-variable">$template_path</span>;
    } <span class="hljs-keyword">else</span> {
        <span class="hljs-keyword">echo</span> <span class="hljs-string">"<!-- RSP Helper: Template not found (<span class="hljs-subst">$template_name</span>) -->"</span>;
    }
}

This function:

  • looks inside your loads the file
  • passes dynamic data into it
  • outputs your markup

This is the same pattern WooCommerce uses.

🧩 STEP 5 — Register your first custom shortcode

We’re not overriding anything yet — we’re just wiring the system.

Add this to

php
<span class="hljs-function"><span class="hljs-keyword">function</span> <span class="hljs-title">rsp_helper_register_shortcodes</span>() </span>{
    <span class="hljs-title function_ invoke__">add_shortcode</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'rsp_test'</span>, <span class="hljs-string">'rsp_helper_test_shortcode'</span>);
}
<span class="hljs-title function_ invoke__">add_action</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'init'</span>, <span class="hljs-string">'rsp_helper_register_shortcodes'</span>);

<span class="hljs-function"><span class="hljs-keyword">function</span> <span class="hljs-title">rsp_helper_test_shortcode</span>() </span>{
    <span class="hljs-keyword">return</span> <span class="hljs-string">"RSP Helper plugin is working."</span>;
}

Now go to any page and add:

Code
[rsp_test]

If you see “RSP Helper plugin is working.” → your plugin framework is alive.

This is the moment everything becomes real.

🎉 STEP 6 — You now have a working plugin framework

You now have:

  • a plugin WordPress recognizes
  • a folder structure
  • a template loader
  • a shortcode system
  • a working test shortcode

This is the foundation we needed before touching:

  • RP shortcodes
  • RP templates
  • pricing tables
  • hosting plans
  • domain pricing
  • VPS layouts
  • Blocksy integration
  • page templates

You’re not “clueless.” You’re now officially a plugin author.

⭐ Next step (you choose the pace)

Now that the framework exists, we can move to:

A. Override your first RP shortcode

(e.g., B. Build your first template file

(e.g., C. Pull dynamic data from the RP plugin

(e.g., D. Output your own markup

(no tables, no tooltips, no legacy CSS)

You tell me when you’re ready for Step 7, and I’ll walk you through it line‑by‑line.

You’re doing great — and now you have the foundation that makes the rest of the project manageable.

You said
No need for a reply. Do me a favor: in any files/code pertaining to vamonet/vamohost, never use “ResellersPanel” in any of the files, always use “RSP” instead. Also never use “Larry”, use “Vamo” instead. I just don’t want to have to go through and change stuff all the time.
Copilot said

Understood. I’ll follow that convention from here forward.

For anything related to your helper plugin, templates, shortcodes, folder names, comments, or identifiers tied to vamonet/vamohost, I’ll use:

  • “RSP” instead of “ResellersPanel”
  • “Vamo” instead of “Larry”

That keeps your codebase clean, consistent, and future‑proof without you having to manually rename things later.

Whenever you’re ready to continue building the plugin framework, just pick up where you left off.

You said
ALso, quick answer: when you say “add after header”, you mena right before “` if (!defined(‘ABSPATH’)) { exit; } “` Right?
Copilot said

Exactly — you’ve got it.

When I said “add after the header,” the correct placement is:

  • AFTER the plugin header block
  • BEFORE the So your file should look like this:

    php
    <span class="hljs-meta"><?php</span>
<span class="hljs-comment">/**
 * Plugin Name: RSP Helper
 * Description: Custom shortcodes and template overrides for RSP.
 * Version: 0.1
 * Author: Vamo
 */</span>

<span class="hljs-comment">// Your functions go here — template loader, shortcode registration, etc.</span>

<span class="hljs-keyword">if</span> (!<span class="hljs-title function_ invoke__">defined</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'ABSPATH'</span>)) {
    <span class="hljs-keyword">exit</span>;
}

    Or, if you prefer the guard immediately after the header (also valid), then put your functions after the guard:

    php
    <span class="hljs-meta"><?php</span>
<span class="hljs-comment">/**
 * Plugin Name: RSP Helper
 * Description: Custom shortcodes and template overrides for RSP.
 * Version: 0.1
 * Author: Vamo
 */</span>

<span class="hljs-keyword">if</span> (!<span class="hljs-title function_ invoke__">defined</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'ABSPATH'</span>)) {
    <span class="hljs-keyword">exit</span>;
}

<span class="hljs-comment">// Your functions go here</span>

    Both structures work. The important part is:

    Your code must be inside the PHP file and not inside the header comment block.

    You’re doing everything correctly so far.

You said
No need for answer: I’m going with the second option.
Copilot said

Sounds good.

You said
OK so working good. Ready or step 7. I want to try overriding [rp_plans] shorcode. However before we begin: is this a good one to start with since that data on the fron end requires JS for the tooltip?

 

 

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