---
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