What is a “Readme” in the WordPress Plugin Directory?

In the WordPress Plugin Directory, the readme.txt file is the backbone of your plugin’s public listing. It’s not just documentation for developers—it’s the content that powers how your plugin appears on WordPress.org. Your title, description, FAQs, changelog, tags, and even screenshots are all pulled directly from this file.

Why does it matter? Your readme is both marketing copy and documentation rolled into one. A well-written readme helps users quickly understand what your plugin does, why they should trust it, and how to get started. It also influences search and discoverability inside the Plugin Directory. Choosing the right tags, structuring headings, and writing clear descriptions can make the difference between being buried or being found.

For plugin authors, investing time into your readme is one of the highest-ROI tasks you can do. It’s your sales page, support guide, and SEO tool—all in one plain text file.

Synonyms / Alternate Phrasings

  • plugin readme
  • readme.txt
  • plugin description file
  • WordPress.org listing text

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