Taxonomy: Add UI to Category page to indicate default category #10831

kraftbj · 2026-01-30T20:58:22Z

This patch adds UI to the Categories admin page to clearly indicate which category is the default:

Shows the default category first in the list
Adds a "Default" label next to the default category name

This helps users quickly identify and understand the default category behavior, as discussed in the Trac ticket.

Trac ticket: https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/26268

Before:

After:

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github-actions · 2026-01-30T20:58:32Z

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github-actions · 2026-01-30T21:04:19Z

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kraftbj · 2026-01-30T21:46:37Z

Test failures appear unrelated — CI tooling tripping.

src/wp-admin/includes/class-wp-terms-list-table.php

Shows the default category first in the list and adds a "Default" label next to its name in the categories admin screen. See https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/26268

Copilot

Pull request overview

This PR updates the Terms list table in the admin to visually surface the default term, particularly for post categories, by pinning it to the top of the list and labeling it as “Default.”

Changes:

In display_rows_or_placeholder(), resolves the default category for the category taxonomy and renders it before the rest of the terms, while skipping it later in the non-hierarchical loop.
In _rows(), introduces logic to detect the default category ID and skip it during hierarchical recursion so it is not duplicated when already rendered first.
In column_name(), adds a “Default” label (with a taxonomy-default-label span) next to the term name when the row’s term matches the configured default term option.

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Copilot · 2026-02-01T03:49:55Z

src/wp-admin/includes/class-wp-terms-list-table.php

+			if ( $default_category ) {
+				$this->single_row( $default_category );
+			}
+
 			/*
 			 * Some funky recursion to get the job done (paging & parents mainly) is contained within.
 			 * Skip it for non-hierarchical taxonomies for performance sake.
 			 */
 			$this->_rows( $taxonomy, $this->items, $children, $offset, $number, $count );
 		} else {
+			if ( $default_category ) {
+				$this->single_row( $default_category );
+			}
+
 			foreach ( $this->items as $term ) {
+				if ( $default_category && $default_category->term_id === $term->term_id ) {
+					continue;
+				}
 				$this->single_row( $term );


Prepending the default category with $this->single_row( $default_category ); here without updating $count or otherwise integrating it into the paging logic means the "per page" limit is effectively exceeded: hierarchical lists will show number rows from _rows() plus this extra row, and in the non‑hierarchical branch the default term can appear on every page even when it is not part of the current slice of $this->items. This changes the semantics of pagination (screen options say N items per page but the table often renders N+1), and duplicates the default term across pages. If the goal is just to surface the default category at the top, consider only rendering it when $offset is 0 (first page) and/or adjusting the paging counters so the extra row is accounted for instead of being "outside" the pagination logic.

Copilot · 2026-02-01T03:49:55Z

src/wp-admin/includes/class-wp-terms-list-table.php

+		// Handle display of default category by showing it first in the list, capture default category id.
+		$default_category_id = false;
+		if ( 'category' === $taxonomy ) {
+			$default_category_id = (int) get_option( 'default_category' );


_rows() re-fetches get_option( 'default_category' ) on every (possibly recursive) invocation and re-derives the default term ID, even though display_rows_or_placeholder() already resolves the default term object just above. To keep the logic DRY and avoid repeated option lookups during deep hierarchies, consider computing the default term ID once (e.g., in display_rows_or_placeholder() and passing it into _rows(), or caching it on the instance) and using that in both places where you skip the default term.

Suggested change

$default_category_id = (int) get_option( 'default_category' );

static $cached_default_category_id = null;

if ( null === $cached_default_category_id ) {

$cached_default_category_id = (int) get_option( 'default_category' );

}

$default_category_id = $cached_default_category_id;

Copilot · 2026-02-01T03:49:56Z

src/wp-admin/includes/class-wp-terms-list-table.php

+		$default_term       = get_option( 'default_' . $taxonomy );
+		$default_term_label = '';
+		if ( $tag->term_id == $default_term ) {
+			$default_term_label = ' &mdash; <span class="taxonomy-default-label">' . __( 'Default' ) . '</span>';
+		}


Using get_option( 'default_' . $taxonomy ) here will work for core taxonomies like category and link_category, but it will not pick up default terms registered via register_taxonomy( ... 'default_term' => ... ), which are stored under default_term_{$taxonomy} (see taxonomy.php:537-557 and post.php:5333-5337). If the intent is for the "Default" label to apply to all taxonomies that support default terms (not only categories/link categories), consider mirroring the pattern in map_meta_cap() by checking both default_{$taxonomy} and default_term_{$taxonomy} so the UI stays consistent with how default terms are modeled elsewhere.

westonruter · 2026-02-01T03:50:40Z

One thing seems to be missing in the user interface and that is discovery for how to change the default category. Should there be a link to the Writing Settings screen, linking to the specific field on that screen?

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kraftbj · 2026-02-02T17:51:13Z

Should there be a link to the Writing Settings screen, linking to the specific field on that screen?

I'm open to that. The main intent was to simply explain versus the user needing to infer why that category is acting differently in the list.

…ategory-ui

- Only display pinned default category on first page to maintain correct per-page count - Pass default_category_id as parameter to _rows() to avoid repeated get_option() calls during recursion

- Add "Change Default" link to row actions for the default category - Add id attribute to Writing Settings default category row for fragment linking

kraftbj · 2026-02-02T18:37:17Z

Trying it as a row action:

westonruter · 2026-02-02T18:43:13Z

src/wp-admin/includes/class-wp-terms-list-table.php

+		if ( 'category' === $taxonomy && $tag->term_id === (int) get_option( 'default_category' ) ) {
+			$actions['change-default'] = sprintf(
+				'<a href="%s">%s</a>',
+				admin_url( 'options-writing.php#default-category-row' ),


I think this is slightly better because it puts keyboard focus on the select element:

Suggested change

admin_url( 'options-writing.php#default-category-row' ),

admin_url( 'options-writing.php#default_category' ),

westonruter · 2026-02-02T18:46:43Z

Trying it as a row action:

Good idea!

I had only been thinking about doing so from the Categories list table, at /edit-tags.php?taxonomy=category, like somewhere in this paragraph below the table:

Would adding a link there as well be redundant? Or helpful?

kraftbj · 2026-02-02T20:05:08Z

Oh, I like that. I don't think it would be redundant. "The default category can be renamed or changed, but not deleted" or something like that with "renamed" going to the edit category page for that term and "changed" going to the settings page seems lightweight and direct. Going to try that. I'll leave the row action too.

Just like us, I thought about the category in the table and you thought about the text at the bottom (which I didn't think about at all), this is an area that I'd rather just help people find what they need no matter where their focus is, especially if it can be done in a relatively "invisible" way if you're thinking about other things.

Update the help text below the Categories list table to include links for renaming the default category and choosing a different default.

kraftbj · 2026-02-02T20:12:18Z

Used language similar to elsewhere in Core (src/wp-admin/user-edit.php:63 - __( 'Your username cannot be changed, but you can use other fields to enter your real name or a nickname, and change which name to display on your posts.' ) in the profile help center.

westonruter

Minor point, but I think the $default_category_id variable can be eliminated in favor of just $default_category. And I think it would be slightly better to use null when it isn't WP_Term (but just a personal preference).

westonruter · 2026-02-02T23:47:20Z

src/wp-admin/includes/class-wp-terms-list-table.php

+		if ( 'category' === $taxonomy ) {
+			$default_category_id = (int) get_option( 'default_category' );
+			$default_category    = get_term( $default_category_id, 'category' );
+			if ( ! $default_category || is_wp_error( $default_category ) ) {


This would reduce the conditions and it would handle the case of someone erroneously filtering the return value of get_term() to be something that isn't falsey:

Suggested change

if ( ! $default_category || is_wp_error( $default_category ) ) {

if ( ! ( $default_category instanceof WP_Term ) ) {

westonruter · 2026-02-02T23:48:15Z

src/wp-admin/includes/class-wp-terms-list-table.php

+			}
+
 			foreach ( $this->items as $term ) {
+				if ( $default_category_id && $default_category_id === $term->term_id ) {


Suggested change

if ( $default_category_id && $default_category_id === $term->term_id ) {

if ( $default_category && $default_category->term_id === $term->term_id ) {

westonruter · 2026-02-02T23:48:38Z

src/wp-admin/includes/class-wp-terms-list-table.php

 			 * Skip it for non-hierarchical taxonomies for performance sake.
 			 */
-			$this->_rows( $taxonomy, $this->items, $children, $offset, $number, $count );
+			$this->_rows( $taxonomy, $this->items, $children, $offset, $number, $count, 0, 0, $default_category_id );


Suggested change

$this->_rows( $taxonomy, $this->items, $children, $offset, $number, $count, 0, 0, $default_category_id );

$this->_rows( $taxonomy, $this->items, $children, $offset, $number, $count, 0, 0, $default_category->term_id );

westonruter · 2026-02-02T23:49:13Z

src/wp-admin/includes/class-wp-terms-list-table.php

+			$default_category_id = (int) get_option( 'default_category' );
+			$default_category    = get_term( $default_category_id, 'category' );


Suggested change

$default_category_id = (int) get_option( 'default_category' );

$default_category = get_term( $default_category_id, 'category' );

$default_category = get_term( (int) get_option( 'default_category' ), 'category' );

westonruter · 2026-02-02T23:49:33Z

src/wp-admin/includes/class-wp-terms-list-table.php

+				$default_category    = false;
+				$default_category_id = 0;


Suggested change

$default_category = false;

$default_category_id = 0;

$default_category = null;

westonruter · 2026-02-02T23:50:19Z

src/wp-admin/includes/class-wp-terms-list-table.php

+		$default_category    = false;
+		$default_category_id = 0;


Suggested change

$default_category = false;

$default_category_id = 0;

$default_category = null;

westonruter · 2026-02-02T23:52:08Z

src/wp-admin/edit-tags.php

-		/* translators: %s: Default category. */
-		__( 'Deleting a category does not delete the posts in that category. Instead, posts that were only assigned to the deleted category are set to the default category %s. The default category cannot be deleted.' ),
+		/* translators: 1: Default category name, 2: URL to edit the default category, 3: URL to Writing Settings. */
+		__( 'Deleting a category does not delete the posts in that category. Instead, posts that were only assigned to the deleted category are set to the default category %1$s. The default category cannot be deleted, but it can be <a href="%2$s">renamed</a> or you can choose a <a href="%3$s">different default category</a>.' ),


I like this a lot.

westonruter · 2026-02-02T23:52:20Z

src/wp-admin/edit-tags.php

-		'<strong>' . apply_filters( 'the_category', get_cat_name( get_option( 'default_category' ) ), '', '' ) . '</strong>'
+		'<strong>' . apply_filters( 'the_category', get_cat_name( $default_category_id ), '', '' ) . '</strong>',
+		esc_url( get_edit_term_link( $default_category_id, 'category' ) ),
+		esc_url( admin_url( 'options-writing.php#default-category-row' ) )


Per above.

Suggested change

esc_url( admin_url( 'options-writing.php#default-category-row' ) )

esc_url( admin_url( 'options-writing.php#default_category' ) )

westonruter · 2026-02-02T23:52:42Z

src/wp-admin/options-writing.php

 </tr>
 <?php endif; ?>
-<tr>
+<tr id="default-category-row">


This wouldn't be needed if we link to the field directy.

Suggested change

<tr id="default-category-row">

<tr>

westonruter reviewed Jan 31, 2026

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src/wp-admin/includes/class-wp-terms-list-table.php Outdated Show resolved Hide resolved

Taxonomy: Add UI to Category page to indicate default category.

102b5bc

Shows the default category first in the list and adds a "Default" label next to its name in the categories admin screen. See https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/26268

kraftbj force-pushed the trac-26268-default-category-ui branch from 829cb2c to 102b5bc Compare February 1, 2026 03:26

kraftbj requested a review from westonruter February 1, 2026 03:28

westonruter requested a review from Copilot February 1, 2026 03:46

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Copilot AI reviewed Feb 1, 2026

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kraftbj added 3 commits February 2, 2026 11:51

Merge remote-tracking branch 'origin/trunk' into trac-26268-default-c…

f0421a5

…ategory-ui

Taxonomy: Fix pagination and optimize default category handling.

4dc573e

- Only display pinned default category on first page to maintain correct per-page count - Pass default_category_id as parameter to _rows() to avoid repeated get_option() calls during recursion

Taxonomy: Add "Change Default" row action for default category.

b7e0e1a

- Add "Change Default" link to row actions for the default category - Add id attribute to Writing Settings default category row for fragment linking

fix: Taxonomy: Fix Yoda condition in default category check.

eadf8ac

westonruter reviewed Feb 2, 2026

View reviewed changes

Taxonomy: Add helpful links in default category help text.

c985c34

Update the help text below the Categories list table to include links for renaming the default category and choosing a different default.

westonruter reviewed Feb 2, 2026

View reviewed changes

-			$default_category_id = (int) get_option( 'default_category' );
+			static $cached_default_category_id = null;
+			if ( null === $cached_default_category_id ) {
+				$cached_default_category_id = (int) get_option( 'default_category' );
+			}
+			$default_category_id = $cached_default_category_id;

	admin_url( 'options-writing.php#default-category-row' ),
	admin_url( 'options-writing.php#default_category' ),

	if ( ! $default_category \|\| is_wp_error( $default_category ) ) {
	if ( ! ( $default_category instanceof WP_Term ) ) {

	if ( $default_category_id && $default_category_id === $term->term_id ) {
	if ( $default_category && $default_category->term_id === $term->term_id ) {

	$this->_rows( $taxonomy, $this->items, $children, $offset, $number, $count, 0, 0, $default_category_id );
	$this->_rows( $taxonomy, $this->items, $children, $offset, $number, $count, 0, 0, $default_category->term_id );

		$default_category_id = (int) get_option( 'default_category' );
		$default_category = get_term( $default_category_id, 'category' );

	$default_category_id = (int) get_option( 'default_category' );
	$default_category = get_term( $default_category_id, 'category' );
	$default_category = get_term( (int) get_option( 'default_category' ), 'category' );

	$default_category = false;
	$default_category_id = 0;
	$default_category = null;

	esc_url( admin_url( 'options-writing.php#default-category-row' ) )
	esc_url( admin_url( 'options-writing.php#default_category' ) )

Taxonomy: Add UI to Category page to indicate default category #10831

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