The WordPress plugin repository is being worked on

A “beta” version is up right now at:
https://wordpress.org/plugins-wp/

Clicking See all leads to the below page:

 

What is missing at the above beta WordPress repository plugins screen is the following:
– Responsive design. Amount of columns will change depending on screen size.
– Infinite scroll.

– Information such as active installs, author, last updated and compatible up to is missing.
– The green language bar takes too much space.
– Searching for active installs, star rating, author, tag and whatever else is also missing.
– My profile and a log out link is also missing.

 

I made a wireframe – It includes one plugin preview with added information such as author, active installs, last updated and compatible with.

 

I included a drop down search. Containing Keyword, Active Installs, Star Rating, Author and Tag.
Brought back in the Welcome, Paal Joachim Romdahl and log out.
Took out the green language bar and replaced it with a sentence and a x to remove it.

Added a View Filter which can be used to filter what one sees on the plugin page. Since right now the beta version is too simplified and lacks the obvious active installs, author, last updated and compatible with. Here the user can define their own plugin viewing experience.

 

The single plugin mockup view at: https://wordpress.org/plugins-wp/really-simple-captcha/

 

There are a lot of read more links to that needs to be clicked to show additional information.
There is one long viewable area. Perhaps this is meant for mobile?
The make Favorite heart button is not there yet.

 

I made a wireframe.

In addition to items from my first wireframe I included the Make Favorite red heart and text. (I have it already Favorited.)
I moved the title and author name above the plugin banner and removed the extra thumbnail banner.
I made the wide plugin banner smaller.
Added the column to the right of the banner.
Made the description area as wide as the banner. What is most important in viewing a plugin screen is the information sections.
Brought back in tabs which gives a good overview of what information is available.
I changed the search drop down colors from white to blue (just as a test).

 

Now over to the WordPress backend

To the Installed plugins mockup that I made. Inspiration comes from the Media Library.

 

I changed the bar under the Plugins title.
Viewable by text/description or by smaller thumbnails or simpler methods. Similar to what can be done in the Media Library.
Added information into a drop down.
Added a search drop down box that will search installed and new plugins.

 

I also took a screenshot of the Add Plugins page and added the drop down search that will search installed and new plugins.
Having an overlap of features from the Plugin repository to the Add Plugins screen creates a deeper connection between the two areas.
I am thinking especially of Infinite scroll and responsiveness – showing multiple columns on larger screen sizes..

 

I made these mockups to show an alternative that I believe will be a better option for most users.
Having a good search and defining the viewing plugin experience is very important. As is the overview such as tabs or similar to create a clear distinction between the information that is available on each single plugin screen.

I am hoping my mockups can inspire and improve the existing “beta” version located at https://wordpress.org/plugins-wp/

This article was also written about at: wptavern.com/community-created-mockups-suggest-improvements-to-the-wordpress-plugin-directory-redesign