WordPress can be more than a place to publish. It can be the platform that runs (personal) web apps, implemented as WordPress plugins with a twist.

The twist is that they get a little help from the wp-app library to make the frontend plugins: they are not restricted by wp-admin, get their own subdirectory routing, operate independently of the active theme, and are only available to logged-in users by default.

I built a landing page explaining the concept in more detail: wpapps.kirk.at

There I also elaborate on the professional angle of WpApps.

The platform idea

It is so easy to get WordPress hosting, even on your NAS, and often cheap.

But getting a WordPress doesn’t mean that you need to publish anything. You can also use it for yourself, privately.

I’ve built a set of apps that I use myself every day, and you can too! What is more, because they are open source, you can modify them. With AI this is more feasible than ever. This enables you to get personalized software.

It also helps with bundling your data in a place you own, vs. spreading your data across the web with all sorts of web services, who all have their own agenda and need to make money (eventually).

You don’t have to use AI with this, but you can. And then AI can open up interesting ways to leverage your data. Save the recipe in your Cookbook that your friend posted, but replace an ingredient you don’t like.

The prerequisite

I’ve been a long-time member of the WordPress world, and I like its pragmatism. But you might not be. Would you be willing to get WordPress hosting, just to try it?

With my.wordpress.net you don’t have to! It’s a free WordPress, interestingly running in your own browser. You can’t access it from the web, so perfect for private apps. See also my post Why My WordPress?

In the end, I suggest you get hosted at a webhost you trust: you can then access your WordPress from multiple devices, share it with friends, and backups will be taken care of for you.