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Tech/Sessions/recipe-cards-seed-packets.md

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+---
+project: recipe-cards-seed-packets
+type: session-notes
+status: completed
+path: Tech/Sessions
+tags:
+  - wordpress
+  - wpcode
+  - elementor
+  - css
+  - php
+  - branding
+  - sunnies
+created: 2026-04-14
+updated: 2026-04-14
+---
+
+# Session notes: recipe cards → seed packets
+
+## Outcome
+
+Replaced the deprecated `[su_posts]` shortcode (from the uninstalled
+Shortcodes Ultimate plugin) with a custom `[pbs_recipes]` shortcode.
+Evolved the output through three design iterations: plain list → clean card
+grid → fully themed seed packet cards. Added AJAX load more (9 recipes per
+batch) across all 7 category sections on the recipes page. Also
+decommissioned the old (pre-migration) Linode server with a targeted tar
+archive of the Docker project directory.
+
+## What shipped
+
+- Custom `[pbs_recipes]` shortcode registered via WPCode Lite PHP snippet
+(Auto Insert → Run Everywhere)
+- Pulls standard WP posts by category ID — matches the old `su_posts
+tax_term="N"` behavior
+- `post_status => publish` explicitly set so admins don't see drafts mixed
+in
+- Shared `pbs_render_recipe_cards()` function used by both the initial
+shortcode render and the AJAX load-more handler
+- AJAX endpoint via `admin-ajax.php` with nonce verification
+- Event-delegated JS (single listener on document) handles load-more across
+all 7 category sections at once
+- Seed packet visual design: cream/brown double-border frame, Lora serif
+body + Caveat script for packet title, "★ SOUTHERN HEIRLOOM ★" stamp,
+"Recipe Packet №161" (phi-adjacent math joke), "Harvested [date]" language
+- Hover overlay on image with "View Recipe →" CTA
+- Full keyboard/focus support via anchor-wrapped cards
+
+## Key decisions
+
+| Decision | Rationale |
+|---|---|
+| Custom shortcode over reinstalling Shortcodes Ultimate | Only one page
+used it; avoids adding a whole plugin for one feature |
+| `cat` param (standard WP category) instead of WPRM taxonomy | Posts are
+categorized in WP categories; WPRM cards are attached to posts, not
+directly queried |
+| CSS organized into GRID / CARD SHELL / FRAME / CONTENT / LOAD MORE
+sections | Future seed-packet-to-new-design swaps only touch FRAME block;
+content and grid stay stable |
+| Auto Insert → Run Everywhere (not "On Demand") | `add_shortcode()`
+registration is microseconds of work; "On Demand" would prevent
+registration and break the shortcode |
+| Skip WPRM meta (prep/cook time) for now | Not critical for v1;
+placeholder commented in PHP for later |
+| Drop the per-recipe packet number, hardcode №161 | Simpler than
+stable-random or sequential numbering; phi joke works for all cards |
+| Delete old Linode clone after targeted tar backup | Linode Images capped
+at 6 GB, server disk was 19 GB. Docker project directory at `/opt/docker`
+captured via `tar -czf`, scp'd locally. Site has been stable for 2+ weeks
+post-migration. |
+
+## Learnings
+
+- **WPCode Lite "Auto Insert" vs "Shortcode" insertion modes** — for
+snippets that *register* a custom shortcode (not snippets that *output*
+content), use Auto Insert. The PHP needs to execute on page load so
+`add_shortcode()` runs; it doesn't mean the work runs on every page — the
+shortcode callback only fires when the shortcode appears in rendered
+content.
+- **Linode Images hard cap is 6 GB per image.** Servers with larger disks
+cannot use the Images feature for archival regardless of quota. Options for
+oversized servers: Linode Backup Service (not downloadable, tied to Linode
+lifecycle) or manual tar + scp.
+- **Targeted Docker project backup is sufficient for WordPress
+migrations.** The entire compose directory (compose file, bind-mounted
+volumes, configs) is ~2 GB vs. 19 GB full disk. OS, logs, apt packages all
+rebuildable.
+- **Elementor HTML widget's CSS injection.** The widget's built-in "Custom
+CSS" field is Pro-only, but `` blocks inside the widget's HTML work
+fine and keep CSS co-located with the markup it styles. Good trade-off vs.
+Appearance → Customize → Additional CSS (easy to lose track of).
+- **`tar: Removing leading '/' from member names`** is informational, not
+an error — tar strips absolute paths for safer extraction.
+- **WP_Query with `post_status` omitted defaults to 'publish' for
+non-logged-in users, but includes drafts/private/future for admins.**
+Explicitly setting `'post_status' => 'publish'` locks it down regardless of
+viewer.
+
+## Open items
+
+- [ ] Live card polish: "Recipe Packet №161" and "Harvested [date]"
+rendering as underlined links (theme global link styles bleeding into
+anchor-wrapped card content); Caveat font not loading for packet title
+- [ ] Consider adding WPRM meta (prep time / cook time) to cards when ready
+— placeholder comment is in the PHP
+- [ ] Seed packet design could extend to the Sunflower Garden member area
+(LOE 1 Phase 3) — visual language already aligns
+- [ ] Business Wiki email backup from old server (deferred — not flagged as
+critical)
+
+## Tools / files touched
+
+- WordPress: WPCode Lite snippet (PHP), Elementor HTML widget on the
+recipes page
+- Shortcode name: `[pbs_recipes cat="N"]` with optional `per_page`,
+`order`, `orderby` args
+- Default `per_page`: 9
+- Fonts added: Lora (weights 500/600/700), Caveat (weights 600/700) via
+Google Fonts
+- Colors used: `#FBF6EC` (cream), `#F3E9D2` (packet tan), `#2E4D33` (deep
+green), `#7A5A3F` (burnt brown)
+- Removed: Shortcodes Ultimate (already uninstalled — confirmed only
+`[su_posts]` was in use)
+- Decommissioned: old Linode server (pre-migration clone), archived as tar
+of `/opt/docker`
+
+
+...sent from Jenny & Travis