Hello World
Similar to "Hello Dolly", this plugin lets you choose from some lyrics files, of which one line is shown in your dashboard on every page load.
Consider an alternative
Hello World shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 200+ sites and was last updated 11 months ago, and scores 41/100 on our health check.
- Small user base (200+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.9 (latest is 7.1)
How does it stack up?
Side-by-side on installs, updates, ratings & support
Daily downloads
Download spikes usually follow a new release — each site that auto-updates counts as a download.
Rankings
Where Hello World stands todayWordPress.org search rankings
Live position in the plugin search, top 100| Keyword | Position |
|---|---|
| dolly | #7 |
| hello | #24 |
| lyrics | #9 |
| world | #38 |
| yoda | #1 |
Version adoption
Share of active sites per release.
About Hello World
From the official readme · v2.2.0Description
In tribute to the famous “Hello Dolly” plugin by Matt Mullenweg comes this new plugin. And how could someone possible name a new default plugin other than “Hello World”, as it’s THE definition for a default example 🙂
Frequently asked questions
Can I add my own lyrics?
Yes, you can! Just create a folder wp-content/uploads/hello-world-lyrics and save your lyric file there, with one “quote” per line.
Where do I report security bugs found in this plugin?
Please report security bugs found in the source code of the Hello World plugin through the Patchstack Vulnerability Disclosure Program. The Patchstack team will assist you with verification, CVE assignment, and notify the developers of this plugin.
Changelog
2.2.1
- Fix wrong escape function
- Time invested for this release: 15min
2.2.0
- SECURITY: Fix issue with arbitrary paths
- Time invested for this release: 120min
2.1.1
- Add blueprint.json file for live demo
- Time invested for this release: 30min
2.1.0
- Update CSS from Hello Dolly
- Make the output more accessible
- Time invested for this release: 30min
2.0.1
- Make plugin fully translatable
2.0.0
- New major release enabling custom lyrics saved to
wp-content/uploads/hello-world-lyrics - Time invested for this release: 90min
1.0.0
- First stable release with lyrics for “Hello World”, “Yoda quotes” and the original “Hello Dolly” lyrics
- Time invested for this release: 120min
For developers
Is this your plugin? Show off the numbers.
Add a live badge to your site, docs or GitHub README. It updates on its own — no account needed.
Best Hello World alternatives
All dolly plugins →FAQ
Hello World: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 1, 2026
Is Hello World free?
Yes. Hello World is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.
Is Hello World safe to use in 2026?
Hello World shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 200+ sites and was last updated 11 months ago, and scores 41/100 on our health check.
How many websites use Hello World?
Hello World is active on 200+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 18,071 times since it launched in February 2015. It was downloaded 166 times in the last 30 days.
Does Hello World work with WordPress 7.1?
Hello World is officially tested up to WordPress 6.9.9, while the latest release is 7.1.2. It may still work, but try it on a staging site first.
What PHP version does Hello World need?
Hello World requires PHP 5.2 or higher. Most hosts run PHP 8.x today, so it works on any modern WordPress hosting.
When was Hello World last updated?
The latest version, 2.2.0, was released on October 26, 2025 (11 months ago).
Who makes Hello World?
Hello World is developed and maintained by Bernhard Kau.
What are the best alternatives to Hello World?
The most popular alternatives to Hello World are Custom Dolly (10+ installs), Hello Kurt (10+ installs) and Hello Dolly Guaraná (<10 installs).
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