WP_CodeShield
This plugin makes it easier to post code in the comments and posts by automatically converting text inside code tags to correct html.
Consider an alternative
WP_CodeShield shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 20+ sites and was last updated 19 years ago, and scores 24/100 on our health check.
- Small user base (20+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 18 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 2.3 (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 WP_CodeShield stands todayWordPress.org search rankings
Live position in the plugin search, top 100| Keyword | Position |
|---|---|
| code | >100 |
| convert | >100 |
| escape | >100 |
| htmlspecialchars | #44 |
Version adoption
Share of active sites per release.
About WP_CodeShield
From the official readme · v0.4Description
This plugin escapes all text inside code tags so you don’t have to worry about converting code to HTML characters (e.g. >‘s to >‘s). The contents of code tags inside posts and comments are run through php’s htmlspecialchars.
Installation
- Unzip
wp_codeshield.zip. - Upload
wp_codeshield.phptowp-content/plugins. - Activate in the Plugins menu.
For developers
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Best WP_CodeShield alternatives
All code plugins →
FAQ
WP_CodeShield: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Sep 28, 2026
Is WP_CodeShield free?
Yes. WP_CodeShield is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.
Is WP_CodeShield safe to use in 2026?
WP_CodeShield shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 20+ sites and was last updated 19 years ago, and scores 24/100 on our health check.
How many websites use WP_CodeShield?
WP_CodeShield is active on 20+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 4,119 times since it launched in February 2008. It was downloaded 38 times in the last 30 days.
Does WP_CodeShield work with WordPress 7.1?
WP_CodeShield is officially tested up to WordPress 2.3.1, while the latest release is 7.1.2. It may still work, but try it on a staging site first.
When was WP_CodeShield last updated?
The latest version, 0.4, was released on February 4, 2008 (19 years ago).
Who makes WP_CodeShield?
WP_CodeShield is developed and maintained by scottsm.
What are the best alternatives to WP_CodeShield?
The most popular alternatives to WP_CodeShield are WPCode (3M+ installs), Code Snippets (1M+ installs) and Head & Footer Code (100K+ installs).
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