How to use mod_rewrite_rules filter in WordPress

To use the mod_rewrite_rules filter, you start by registering it with add_filter. You can do this in your theme’s functions.php or, to keep things neat and safe during theme updates, create a custom WordPress plugin.

1. Setting the X-Content-Type-Options Header

Here’s a cool example of adding security headers to your site using the mod_rewrite_rules filter:

    function weplugins_add_headers_htaccess( $rules ) {
      $new_rule = <<
      Header always set X-Content-Type-Options "nosniff"
      
      EOD;
      return $new_rule . $rules;
    }
    add_filter('mod_rewrite_rules', 'weplugins_add_headers_htaccess');
    

2. Modify Default Rewrite Rules

This example shows how you can adjust the rewrite rules to suit your website’s needs:

    function weplugins_modify_mod_rewrite_rules_defaults($rules) { 
        // Update the $rules variable according to your website requirements and return this variable.
        // You can modify the $rules variable conditionally too if needed.
        return $rules; 
    }
    // Add the filter
    add_filter("mod_rewrite_rules", "weplugins_modify_mod_rewrite_rules_defaults", 10, 1);
    

3. Removing a Hook Callback

If you need to remove a hook callback, here’s how you can do it:

    remove_filter("mod_rewrite_rules", "weplugins_modify_mod_rewrite_rules_defaults", 10, 1);
    

Ensure you provide the same callback function name, priority, and number of arguments when removing the hook callback.

Contact Us

If you’re looking for customization or having trouble using this hook, feel free to contact us. We’re here to help!