quick-fix

Quickly diagnose and fix common DesignSetGo plugin issues.

What's the Problem?

1. Build errors - npm run build fails
2. Styles not applying - Editor or frontend styles missing
3. Block validation error - "This block contains unexpected or invalid content"
4. Console errors - JavaScript errors in browser console
5. Layout not working - Grid/flex/stack layout broken
6. Colors not showing - Theme colors missing from picker
7. Translation missing - Strings not translating
8. wp-env not starting - Local development environment issues

Fix 1: Build Errors

Symptoms: npm run build fails with errors

Quick fixes:

# Clear everything and rebuild
rm -rf node_modules build
npm install
npm run build

# Check for syntax errors
npm run lint:js
npm run lint:css
npm run lint:php

# If specific file error, check that file for:
# - Missing imports
# - Syntax errors (missing brackets, semicolons)
# - Typos in function names

Fix 2: Styles Not Applying

Editor Styles Missing

# 1. Check if styles are imported in editor.scss
grep "@import" src/styles/editor.scss

# 2. Verify build output
cat build/index.css | grep "your-class-name"

# 3. If missing, add import to src/styles/editor.scss
# @import '../blocks/your-block/editor';

# 4. Rebuild
npm run build

Frontend Styles Missing

# 1. Check if styles are imported in style.scss
grep "@import" src/styles/style.scss

# 2. Verify build output
cat build/style-index.css | grep "your-class-name"

# 3. If missing, add import to src/styles/style.scss
# @import '../blocks/your-block/style';

# 4. Rebuild
npm run build

CRITICAL: Both style.scss and editor.scss must import block styles.

Fix 3: Block Validation Error

Symptoms: "This block contains unexpected or invalid content" or block shows recovery prompt

Common causes:

1. Edit and save markup don't match

// ❌ WRONG - Different structure in edit vs save
// edit.js
<div {...blockProps}>
    <div className="inner">
        <InnerBlocks />
    </div>
</div>

// save.js
<div {...blockProps}>
    <InnerBlocks.Content />
</div>

// ✅ CORRECT - Identical structure
// Both edit.js and save.js:
const innerBlocksProps = useInnerBlocksProps(...);
<div {...innerBlocksProps} />

1. Attributes changed without deprecation

// If you changed attributes, add deprecation:
// block.json
{
  "deprecated": [
    {
      "attributes": { /* old attributes */ },
      "save": OldSaveComponent
    }
  ]
}

1. Using plain <InnerBlocks /> instead of useInnerBlocksProps

// ❌ WRONG
<InnerBlocks />

// ✅ CORRECT
const innerBlocksProps = useInnerBlocksProps();
<div {...innerBlocksProps} />

Fix 4: Console Errors

Check browser console for specific errors:

"Cannot find module '@wordpress/...'"

// Add proper import
import { __ } from '@wordpress/i18n';

"useSelect is not a function"

// Import from correct package
import { useSelect } from '@wordpress/data';

"Attribute is undefined"

// Add default in block.json
{
  "attributes": {
    "yourAttribute": {
      "type": "string",
      "default": ""
    }
  }
}

"Invalid hook call"

// Move hooks outside conditionals
// ❌ WRONG
if (condition) {
    const value = useSelect(...);
}

// ✅ CORRECT
const value = useSelect(...);
if (condition && value) {
    // use value
}

Fix 5: Layout Not Working

Symptom: Grid/flex/stack not applying to blocks

Fix: Use useInnerBlocksProps instead of plain <InnerBlocks />

// ❌ WRONG - Plain InnerBlocks
<div style={{ display: 'grid' }}>
    <InnerBlocks />
</div>

// ✅ CORRECT - useInnerBlocksProps
const innerBlocksProps = useInnerBlocksProps({
    style: {
        display: 'grid',
        gridTemplateColumns: 'repeat(3, 1fr)',
        gap: '20px'
    }
});

return <div {...blockProps}><div {...innerBlocksProps} /></div>;

Save function must match:

// save.js
const innerBlocksProps = useInnerBlocksProps.save({
    style: {
        display: 'grid',
        gridTemplateColumns: 'repeat(3, 1fr)',
        gap: '20px'
    }
});

return <div {...blockProps}><div {...innerBlocksProps} /></div>;

Fix 6: Colors Not Showing

Symptom: Theme colors missing from color picker

Fix: Migrate to ColorGradientSettingsDropdown

See /color-controls-migrate command for complete migration guide.

Quick check:

# Are you using deprecated PanelColorSettings?
grep -r "PanelColorSettings" src/blocks/your-block/

# If yes, run:
# /color-controls-migrate

Fix 7: Translation Missing

Symptom: Strings appear in English instead of target language

Quick fixes:

# 1. Regenerate POT file
npx wp i18n make-pot . languages/designsetgo.pot

# 2. Update PO files
msgmerge --update languages/designsetgo-nl_NL.po languages/designsetgo.pot

# 3. Compile MO files
msgfmt languages/designsetgo-nl_NL.po -o languages/designsetgo-nl_NL.mo

# 4. Clear WordPress cache
# In wp-admin: Go to Settings → General → Site Language → Save Changes

Check for untranslated strings:

# Find hardcoded strings
grep -r "'[A-Z][a-z]" src/ --include="*.js" | grep -v "__("

See /i18n-update for complete workflow.

Fix 8: wp-env Not Starting

Symptoms: npx wp-env start fails

Quick fixes:

# Stop all containers
npx wp-env stop

# Remove and restart
npx wp-env destroy
npx wp-env start

# Check Docker is running
docker ps

# If Docker not running, start Docker Desktop

# Check ports aren't in use
lsof -i :8888
lsof -i :8889

# Kill processes using ports if needed
kill -9 PID

General Troubleshooting

Clear everything and start fresh:

# Stop wp-env
npx wp-env stop

# Clear build and dependencies
rm -rf node_modules build

# Reinstall and rebuild
npm install
npm run build

# Restart wp-env
npx wp-env start

Check plugin in browser:

1. Open browser console (F12)
2. Check for errors in Console tab
3. Check Network tab for failed requests
4. Look for specific error messages

Before Asking for Help

Run this diagnostic:

# Check versions
node --version  # Should be 18+ or 20+
npm --version

# Check build status
npm run build

# Check linting
npm run lint:js
npm run lint:css

# Check tests
npm test

# Check wp-env
npx wp-env start

Reference Commands

For more detailed fixes:

• /refactor - Refactor anti-patterns
• /color-controls-migrate - Fix color controls
• /i18n-update - Fix translations
• /check-compat - Check WordPress compatibility
• /build - Build troubleshooting