Understanding and Fixing ‘Store Already Registered’ Errors in WordPress
Lately, I’ve been seeing this pesky console error in my WordPress admin: Store "core/interface" is already registered
. If you’re building modern WordPress themes or plugins, you might have encountered it too. Let’s dive into what this means and how to fix it.
What’s a WordPress Data Store Anyway?
Think of WordPress data stores like specialized containers in your app’s memory. They’re part of WordPress’s @wordpress/data system – a Redux-like state management solution. Each store handles specific types of data:
core/interface
: UI state managementcore/editor
: Gutenberg editor datacore/notices
: WordPress admin notices- And so on…
Why Am I Seeing This Error?
The “Store Already Registered” error typically shows up when:
- Multiple parts of your code try to register the same store
- A plugin conflict causes duplicate registration
- WordPress core and your custom code both try to initialize the same store
It’s like two people trying to claim the same parking spot – it just doesn’t work.
Common Causes
1. Multiple @wordpress/data Versions
javascriptCopy// This might be loading in multiple places
import { createReduxStore, register } from '@wordpress/data';
2. Duplicate Store Registration
javascriptCopy// Bad: Registering the same store multiple times
registerStore('my-store', {/*...*/});
registerStore('my-store', {/*...*/}); // 💥 Boom! Error!
// Good: Check before registering
if (!wp.data.select('my-store')) {
registerStore('my-store', {/*...*/});
}
3. Plugin Conflicts
Sometimes multiple plugins try to register the same store namespace:
javascriptCopy// Plugin A
registerStore('awesome-plugin/data', {/*...*/});
// Plugin B (accidentally uses same namespace)
registerStore('awesome-plugin/data', {/*...*/}); // Conflict!
How to Fix It
1. Use Store Registration Guards
javascriptCopyfunction registerMyStore() {
if (wp.data && !wp.data.select('my-store')) {
const storeConfig = {
reducer: (state = {}, action) => {
// Your reducer logic
return state;
},
selectors: {
// Your selectors
},
actions: {
// Your actions
},
};
wp.data.createReduxStore('my-store', storeConfig);
wp.data.register(storeConfig);
}
}
2. Use Unique Namespaces
javascriptCopy// Instead of generic names
registerStore('interface', {/*...*/});
// Use specific, namespaced identifiers
registerStore('my-theme/interface', {/*...*/});
3. Handle Dependencies Properly
javascriptCopy// In your webpack/rollup config
externals: {
'@wordpress/data': 'wp.data',
'@wordpress/element': 'wp.element',
// other WordPress dependencies
}
Best Practices
- Always namespace your stores: Use prefixes like
my-theme/
ormy-plugin/
- Check before registering: Use registration guards
- Monitor dependencies: Make sure you’re not bundling multiple versions
- Use wp.data hooks: They handle registration more gracefully
javascriptCopy// Using wp.data hooks
import { useSelect } from '@wordpress/data';
function MyComponent() {
const data = useSelect(select => {
return select('my-store').getData();
}, []);
return <div>{data}</div>;
}
Debug Tools
Here’s a handy snippet to debug store registration:
javascriptCopywp.data.subscribe(() => {
console.log('Current stores:', wp.data.select('core/data').getStores());
});
Wrapping Up
Store registration errors in WordPress might seem scary, but they’re usually just a sign that something’s trying to initialize twice. With proper namespacing, registration guards, and dependency management, you can keep your WordPress data layer clean and error-free.
Remember:
- Namespace your stores
- Check before registering
- Manage dependencies carefully
- Use WordPress’s built-in data hooks
Happy coding! 🚀
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