WordPress and Deno: The Future of Server-Side Scripting?

WordPress has long relied on PHP for server-side scripting, but modern JavaScript runtimes like Deno (a secure alternative to Node.js) are changing how developers think about backend logic. Could Deno + WordPress become a game-changer for performance, security, and developer experience?

This guide explores:
✔ Why Deno could complement WordPress
✔ How to integrate Deno with WordPress today
✔ Use cases where Deno shines
✔ Challenges and future possibilities

Why Consider Deno for WordPress?

1. Performance & Modern JavaScript

• Deno executes TypeScript natively (no transpilation needed).
• Built on V8 (like Node.js) but with a leaner, more optimized runtime.
• Supports ES Modules (ESM) out of the box—no require() needed.

2. Enhanced Security

• No file/network access by default (unlike Node.js).
• Explicit permissions (--allow-net, --allow-read).
• Sandboxed execution, reducing vulnerability risks. Our YouTube channel; https://www.youtube.com/@easythemestore

3. Built-in Tooling

• No need for package.json – Deno fetches dependencies via URLs.
• Built-in testing, linting, and formatting.
• Web-standard APIs (fetch, WebSocket).

4. WordPress Use Cases for Deno

✅ Headless WordPress APIs (REST/GraphQL optimizations)
✅ Real-time features (WebSockets for live updates)
✅ Serverless functions (Edge computing via Deno Deploy)
✅ Automation scripts (e.g., bulk content imports)

How to Use Deno with WordPress Today

Option 1: Deno as a WordPress Microservice

Run Deno alongside WordPress for specific tasks (e.g., real-time notifications).

Example: Real-Time Comments with Deno + WebSockets

1. Set up a Deno WebSocket server (server.ts):

   import { serve } from "https://deno.land/std/http/server.ts";  
   
   const server = serve({ port: 8000 });  
   const sockets = new Set<WebSocket>();  
   
   for await (const req of server) {  
     if (req.url === "/ws") {  
       const { response, socket } = Deno.upgradeWebSocket(req);  
       sockets.add(socket);  
       socket.onclose = () => sockets.delete(socket);  
     }  
   }  
   
   // Broadcast new comments to all clients  
   function broadcast(message: string) {  
     sockets.forEach((sock) => sock.send(message));  
   }

2. Connect WordPress to Deno via JavaScript:

   // In your WordPress theme  
   const socket = new WebSocket("ws://localhost:8000/ws");  
   socket.onmessage = (event) => {  
     const comment = JSON.parse(event.data);  
     document.getElementById("comments").append(comment);  
   };  
   
   // When a new comment is posted  
   jQuery("#comment-form").submit(() => {  
     fetch("/wp-json/wp/v2/comments", { method: "POST" })  
       .then((res) => res.json())  
       .then((comment) => socket.send(JSON.stringify(comment)));  
   });

Option 2: Deno for Serverless WordPress Functions

Use Deno Deploy (edge runtime) to offload heavy tasks:

Example: Image Processing API

1. Deploy a Deno function (image-proxy.ts):

   import { resizeImage } from "https://deno.land/x/image_utils/mod.ts";  
   
   Deno.serve(async (req) => {  
     const { imageUrl, width, height } = await req.json();  
     const resized = await resizeImage(imageUrl, { width, height });  
     return new Response(resized, { headers: { "Content-Type": "image/jpeg" } });  
   });

2. Call it from WordPress:

   // functions.php  
   add_filter('wp_get_attachment_image_src', function($image, $id) {  
     $resized = wp_remote_post('https://your-deno-deploy.app/image-proxy', [  
       'body' => json_encode([  
         'imageUrl' => wp_get_attachment_url($id),  
         'width' => 500,  
         'height' => 500  
       ])  
     ]);  
     return $resized['body'];  
   });

Challenges & Limitations

The Future: Deno-Powered WordPress?

• Official Deno support in core? Unlikely soon, but possible via:

  • WP-CLI Deno scripts (e.g., wp-deno migrate-posts).

  • Hybrid architectures (WordPress API + Deno frontend).

• Edge-compatible WordPress (e.g., Statica + Deno Deploy).

Conclusion

While WordPress won’t abandon PHP soon, Deno offers a secure, performant alternative for offloading tasks like real-time updates, serverless APIs, and automation. Developers willing to experiment can bridge WordPress and Deno today—paving the way for faster, more modular architectures.

🚀 Try it: Start with a Deno microservice, then explore edge functions!