map_meta_cap( string $cap, int $user_id, mixed $args )

Maps a capability to the primitive capabilities required of the given user to satisfy the capability being checked.

Description

This function also accepts an ID of an object to map against if the capability is a meta capability. Meta capabilities such as edit_post and edit_user are capabilities used by this function to map to primitive capabilities that a user or role requires, such as edit_posts and edit_others_posts.

Example usage:

map_meta_cap( 'edit_posts', $user->ID );
map_meta_cap( 'edit_post', $user->ID, $post->ID );
map_meta_cap( 'edit_post_meta', $user->ID, $post->ID, $meta_key );

This function does not check whether the user has the required capabilities, it just returns what the required capabilities are.

Parameters

$cap

(string) (Required) Capability being checked.

$user_id

(int) (Required) User ID.

$args

(mixed) (Optional) further parameters, typically starting with an object ID.

Return

(string[]) Primitive capabilities required of the user.

Source

File: wp-includes/capabilities.php

function map_meta_cap( $cap, $user_id, ...$args ) {
	$caps = array();

	switch ( $cap ) {
		case 'remove_user':
			// In multisite the user must be a super admin to remove themselves.
			if ( isset( $args[0] ) && $user_id == $args[0] && ! is_super_admin( $user_id ) ) {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
			} else {
				$caps[] = 'remove_users';
			}
			break;
		case 'promote_user':
		case 'add_users':
			$caps[] = 'promote_users';
			break;
		case 'edit_user':
		case 'edit_users':
			// Allow user to edit themselves.
			if ( 'edit_user' === $cap && isset( $args[0] ) && $user_id == $args[0] ) {
				break;
			}

			// In multisite the user must have manage_network_users caps. If editing a super admin, the user must be a super admin.
			if ( is_multisite() && ( ( ! is_super_admin( $user_id ) && 'edit_user' === $cap && is_super_admin( $args[0] ) ) || ! user_can( $user_id, 'manage_network_users' ) ) ) {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
			} else {
				$caps[] = 'edit_users'; // edit_user maps to edit_users.
			}
			break;
		case 'delete_post':
		case 'delete_page':
			$post = get_post( $args[0] );
			if ( ! $post ) {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
				break;
			}

			if ( 'revision' === $post->post_type ) {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
				break;
			}

			if ( ( get_option( 'page_for_posts' ) == $post->ID ) || ( get_option( 'page_on_front' ) == $post->ID ) ) {
				$caps[] = 'manage_options';
				break;
			}

			$post_type = get_post_type_object( $post->post_type );
			if ( ! $post_type ) {
				/* translators: 1: Post type, 2: Capability name. */
				_doing_it_wrong( __FUNCTION__, sprintf( __( 'The post type %1$s is not registered, so it may not be reliable to check the capability "%2$s" against a post of that type.' ), $post->post_type, $cap ), '4.4.0' );
				$caps[] = 'edit_others_posts';
				break;
			}

			if ( ! $post_type->map_meta_cap ) {
				$caps[] = $post_type->cap->$cap;
				// Prior to 3.1 we would re-call map_meta_cap here.
				if ( 'delete_post' === $cap ) {
					$cap = $post_type->cap->$cap;
				}
				break;
			}

			// If the post author is set and the user is the author...
			if ( $post->post_author && $user_id == $post->post_author ) {
				// If the post is published or scheduled...
				if ( in_array( $post->post_status, array( 'publish', 'future' ), true ) ) {
					$caps[] = $post_type->cap->delete_published_posts;
				} elseif ( 'trash' === $post->post_status ) {
					$status = get_post_meta( $post->ID, '_wp_trash_meta_status', true );
					if ( in_array( $status, array( 'publish', 'future' ), true ) ) {
						$caps[] = $post_type->cap->delete_published_posts;
					} else {
						$caps[] = $post_type->cap->delete_posts;
					}
				} else {
					// If the post is draft...
					$caps[] = $post_type->cap->delete_posts;
				}
			} else {
				// The user is trying to edit someone else's post.
				$caps[] = $post_type->cap->delete_others_posts;
				// The post is published or scheduled, extra cap required.
				if ( in_array( $post->post_status, array( 'publish', 'future' ), true ) ) {
					$caps[] = $post_type->cap->delete_published_posts;
				} elseif ( 'private' === $post->post_status ) {
					$caps[] = $post_type->cap->delete_private_posts;
				}
			}

			/*
			 * Setting the privacy policy page requires `manage_privacy_options`,
			 * so deleting it should require that too.
			 */
			if ( (int) get_option( 'wp_page_for_privacy_policy' ) === $post->ID ) {
				$caps = array_merge( $caps, map_meta_cap( 'manage_privacy_options', $user_id ) );
			}

			break;
		// edit_post breaks down to edit_posts, edit_published_posts, or
		// edit_others_posts.
		case 'edit_post':
		case 'edit_page':
			$post = get_post( $args[0] );
			if ( ! $post ) {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
				break;
			}

			if ( 'revision' === $post->post_type ) {
				$post = get_post( $post->post_parent );
				if ( ! $post ) {
					$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
					break;
				}
			}

			$post_type = get_post_type_object( $post->post_type );
			if ( ! $post_type ) {
				/* translators: 1: Post type, 2: Capability name. */
				_doing_it_wrong( __FUNCTION__, sprintf( __( 'The post type %1$s is not registered, so it may not be reliable to check the capability "%2$s" against a post of that type.' ), $post->post_type, $cap ), '4.4.0' );
				$caps[] = 'edit_others_posts';
				break;
			}

			if ( ! $post_type->map_meta_cap ) {
				$caps[] = $post_type->cap->$cap;
				// Prior to 3.1 we would re-call map_meta_cap here.
				if ( 'edit_post' === $cap ) {
					$cap = $post_type->cap->$cap;
				}
				break;
			}

			// If the post author is set and the user is the author...
			if ( $post->post_author && $user_id == $post->post_author ) {
				// If the post is published or scheduled...
				if ( in_array( $post->post_status, array( 'publish', 'future' ), true ) ) {
					$caps[] = $post_type->cap->edit_published_posts;
				} elseif ( 'trash' === $post->post_status ) {
					$status = get_post_meta( $post->ID, '_wp_trash_meta_status', true );
					if ( in_array( $status, array( 'publish', 'future' ), true ) ) {
						$caps[] = $post_type->cap->edit_published_posts;
					} else {
						$caps[] = $post_type->cap->edit_posts;
					}
				} else {
					// If the post is draft...
					$caps[] = $post_type->cap->edit_posts;
				}
			} else {
				// The user is trying to edit someone else's post.
				$caps[] = $post_type->cap->edit_others_posts;
				// The post is published or scheduled, extra cap required.
				if ( in_array( $post->post_status, array( 'publish', 'future' ), true ) ) {
					$caps[] = $post_type->cap->edit_published_posts;
				} elseif ( 'private' === $post->post_status ) {
					$caps[] = $post_type->cap->edit_private_posts;
				}
			}

			/*
			 * Setting the privacy policy page requires `manage_privacy_options`,
			 * so editing it should require that too.
			 */
			if ( (int) get_option( 'wp_page_for_privacy_policy' ) === $post->ID ) {
				$caps = array_merge( $caps, map_meta_cap( 'manage_privacy_options', $user_id ) );
			}

			break;
		case 'read_post':
		case 'read_page':
			$post = get_post( $args[0] );
			if ( ! $post ) {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
				break;
			}

			if ( 'revision' === $post->post_type ) {
				$post = get_post( $post->post_parent );
				if ( ! $post ) {
					$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
					break;
				}
			}

			$post_type = get_post_type_object( $post->post_type );
			if ( ! $post_type ) {
				/* translators: 1: Post type, 2: Capability name. */
				_doing_it_wrong( __FUNCTION__, sprintf( __( 'The post type %1$s is not registered, so it may not be reliable to check the capability "%2$s" against a post of that type.' ), $post->post_type, $cap ), '4.4.0' );
				$caps[] = 'edit_others_posts';
				break;
			}

			if ( ! $post_type->map_meta_cap ) {
				$caps[] = $post_type->cap->$cap;
				// Prior to 3.1 we would re-call map_meta_cap here.
				if ( 'read_post' === $cap ) {
					$cap = $post_type->cap->$cap;
				}
				break;
			}

			$status_obj = get_post_status_object( get_post_status( $post ) );
			if ( ! $status_obj ) {
				/* translators: 1: Post status, 2: Capability name. */
				_doing_it_wrong( __FUNCTION__, sprintf( __( 'The post status %1$s is not registered, so it may not be reliable to check the capability "%2$s" against a post with that status.' ), get_post_status( $post ), $cap ), '5.4.0' );
				$caps[] = 'edit_others_posts';
				break;
			}

			if ( $status_obj->public ) {
				$caps[] = $post_type->cap->read;
				break;
			}

			if ( $post->post_author && $user_id == $post->post_author ) {
				$caps[] = $post_type->cap->read;
			} elseif ( $status_obj->private ) {
				$caps[] = $post_type->cap->read_private_posts;
			} else {
				$caps = map_meta_cap( 'edit_post', $user_id, $post->ID );
			}
			break;
		case 'publish_post':
			$post = get_post( $args[0] );
			if ( ! $post ) {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
				break;
			}

			$post_type = get_post_type_object( $post->post_type );
			if ( ! $post_type ) {
				/* translators: 1: Post type, 2: Capability name. */
				_doing_it_wrong( __FUNCTION__, sprintf( __( 'The post type %1$s is not registered, so it may not be reliable to check the capability "%2$s" against a post of that type.' ), $post->post_type, $cap ), '4.4.0' );
				$caps[] = 'edit_others_posts';
				break;
			}

			$caps[] = $post_type->cap->publish_posts;
			break;
		case 'edit_post_meta':
		case 'delete_post_meta':
		case 'add_post_meta':
		case 'edit_comment_meta':
		case 'delete_comment_meta':
		case 'add_comment_meta':
		case 'edit_term_meta':
		case 'delete_term_meta':
		case 'add_term_meta':
		case 'edit_user_meta':
		case 'delete_user_meta':
		case 'add_user_meta':
			$object_type = explode( '_', $cap )[1];
			$object_id   = (int) $args[0];

			$object_subtype = get_object_subtype( $object_type, $object_id );

			if ( empty( $object_subtype ) ) {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
				break;
			}

			$caps = map_meta_cap( "edit_{$object_type}", $user_id, $object_id );

			$meta_key = isset( $args[1] ) ? $args[1] : false;

			if ( $meta_key ) {
				$allowed = ! is_protected_meta( $meta_key, $object_type );

				if ( ! empty( $object_subtype ) && has_filter( "auth_{$object_type}_meta_{$meta_key}_for_{$object_subtype}" ) ) {

					/**
					 * Filters whether the user is allowed to edit a specific meta key of a specific object type and subtype.
					 *
					 * The dynamic portions of the hook name, `$object_type`, `$meta_key`,
					 * and `$object_subtype`, refer to the metadata object type (comment, post, term or user),
					 * the meta key value, and the object subtype respectively.
					 *
					 * @since 4.9.8
					 *
					 * @param bool     $allowed   Whether the user can add the object meta. Default false.
					 * @param string   $meta_key  The meta key.
					 * @param int      $object_id Object ID.
					 * @param int      $user_id   User ID.
					 * @param string   $cap       Capability name.
					 * @param string[] $caps      Array of the user's capabilities.
					 */
					$allowed = apply_filters( "auth_{$object_type}_meta_{$meta_key}_for_{$object_subtype}", $allowed, $meta_key, $object_id, $user_id, $cap, $caps );
				} else {

					/**
					 * Filters whether the user is allowed to edit a specific meta key of a specific object type.
					 *
					 * Return true to have the mapped meta caps from `edit_{$object_type}` apply.
					 *
					 * The dynamic portion of the hook name, `$object_type` refers to the object type being filtered.
					 * The dynamic portion of the hook name, `$meta_key`, refers to the meta key passed to map_meta_cap().
					 *
					 * @since 3.3.0 As `auth_post_meta_{$meta_key}`.
					 * @since 4.6.0
					 *
					 * @param bool     $allowed   Whether the user can add the object meta. Default false.
					 * @param string   $meta_key  The meta key.
					 * @param int      $object_id Object ID.
					 * @param int      $user_id   User ID.
					 * @param string   $cap       Capability name.
					 * @param string[] $caps      Array of the user's capabilities.
					 */
					$allowed = apply_filters( "auth_{$object_type}_meta_{$meta_key}", $allowed, $meta_key, $object_id, $user_id, $cap, $caps );
				}

				if ( ! empty( $object_subtype ) ) {

					/**
					 * Filters whether the user is allowed to edit meta for specific object types/subtypes.
					 *
					 * Return true to have the mapped meta caps from `edit_{$object_type}` apply.
					 *
					 * The dynamic portion of the hook name, `$object_type` refers to the object type being filtered.
					 * The dynamic portion of the hook name, `$object_subtype` refers to the object subtype being filtered.
					 * The dynamic portion of the hook name, `$meta_key`, refers to the meta key passed to map_meta_cap().
					 *
					 * @since 4.6.0 As `auth_post_{$post_type}_meta_{$meta_key}`.
					 * @since 4.7.0 Renamed from `auth_post_{$post_type}_meta_{$meta_key}` to
					 *              `auth_{$object_type}_{$object_subtype}_meta_{$meta_key}`.
					 * @deprecated 4.9.8 Use {@see 'auth_{$object_type}_meta_{$meta_key}_for_{$object_subtype}'} instead.
					 *
					 * @param bool     $allowed   Whether the user can add the object meta. Default false.
					 * @param string   $meta_key  The meta key.
					 * @param int      $object_id Object ID.
					 * @param int      $user_id   User ID.
					 * @param string   $cap       Capability name.
					 * @param string[] $caps      Array of the user's capabilities.
					 */
					$allowed = apply_filters_deprecated(
						"auth_{$object_type}_{$object_subtype}_meta_{$meta_key}",
						array( $allowed, $meta_key, $object_id, $user_id, $cap, $caps ),
						'4.9.8',
						"auth_{$object_type}_meta_{$meta_key}_for_{$object_subtype}"
					);
				}

				if ( ! $allowed ) {
					$caps[] = $cap;
				}
			}
			break;
		case 'edit_comment':
			$comment = get_comment( $args[0] );
			if ( ! $comment ) {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
				break;
			}

			$post = get_post( $comment->comment_post_ID );

			/*
			 * If the post doesn't exist, we have an orphaned comment.
			 * Fall back to the edit_posts capability, instead.
			 */
			if ( $post ) {
				$caps = map_meta_cap( 'edit_post', $user_id, $post->ID );
			} else {
				$caps = map_meta_cap( 'edit_posts', $user_id );
			}
			break;
		case 'unfiltered_upload':
			if ( defined( 'ALLOW_UNFILTERED_UPLOADS' ) && ALLOW_UNFILTERED_UPLOADS && ( ! is_multisite() || is_super_admin( $user_id ) ) ) {
				$caps[] = $cap;
			} else {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
			}
			break;
		case 'edit_css':
		case 'unfiltered_html':
			// Disallow unfiltered_html for all users, even admins and super admins.
			if ( defined( 'DISALLOW_UNFILTERED_HTML' ) && DISALLOW_UNFILTERED_HTML ) {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
			} elseif ( is_multisite() && ! is_super_admin( $user_id ) ) {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
			} else {
				$caps[] = 'unfiltered_html';
			}
			break;
		case 'edit_files':
		case 'edit_plugins':
		case 'edit_themes':
			// Disallow the file editors.
			if ( defined( 'DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT' ) && DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT ) {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
			} elseif ( ! wp_is_file_mod_allowed( 'capability_edit_themes' ) ) {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
			} elseif ( is_multisite() && ! is_super_admin( $user_id ) ) {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
			} else {
				$caps[] = $cap;
			}
			break;
		case 'update_plugins':
		case 'delete_plugins':
		case 'install_plugins':
		case 'upload_plugins':
		case 'update_themes':
		case 'delete_themes':
		case 'install_themes':
		case 'upload_themes':
		case 'update_core':
			// Disallow anything that creates, deletes, or updates core, plugin, or theme files.
			// Files in uploads are excepted.
			if ( ! wp_is_file_mod_allowed( 'capability_update_core' ) ) {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
			} elseif ( is_multisite() && ! is_super_admin( $user_id ) ) {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
			} elseif ( 'upload_themes' === $cap ) {
				$caps[] = 'install_themes';
			} elseif ( 'upload_plugins' === $cap ) {
				$caps[] = 'install_plugins';
			} else {
				$caps[] = $cap;
			}
			break;
		case 'install_languages':
		case 'update_languages':
			if ( ! wp_is_file_mod_allowed( 'can_install_language_pack' ) ) {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
			} elseif ( is_multisite() && ! is_super_admin( $user_id ) ) {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
			} else {
				$caps[] = 'install_languages';
			}
			break;
		case 'activate_plugins':
		case 'deactivate_plugins':
		case 'activate_plugin':
		case 'deactivate_plugin':
			$caps[] = 'activate_plugins';
			if ( is_multisite() ) {
				// update_, install_, and delete_ are handled above with is_super_admin().
				$menu_perms = get_site_option( 'menu_items', array() );
				if ( empty( $menu_perms['plugins'] ) ) {
					$caps[] = 'manage_network_plugins';
				}
			}
			break;
		case 'resume_plugin':
			$caps[] = 'resume_plugins';
			break;
		case 'resume_theme':
			$caps[] = 'resume_themes';
			break;
		case 'delete_user':
		case 'delete_users':
			// If multisite only super admins can delete users.
			if ( is_multisite() && ! is_super_admin( $user_id ) ) {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
			} else {
				$caps[] = 'delete_users'; // delete_user maps to delete_users.
			}
			break;
		case 'create_users':
			if ( ! is_multisite() ) {
				$caps[] = $cap;
			} elseif ( is_super_admin( $user_id ) || get_site_option( 'add_new_users' ) ) {
				$caps[] = $cap;
			} else {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
			}
			break;
		case 'manage_links':
			if ( get_option( 'link_manager_enabled' ) ) {
				$caps[] = $cap;
			} else {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
			}
			break;
		case 'customize':
			$caps[] = 'edit_theme_options';
			break;
		case 'delete_site':
			if ( is_multisite() ) {
				$caps[] = 'manage_options';
			} else {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
			}
			break;
		case 'edit_term':
		case 'delete_term':
		case 'assign_term':
			$term_id = (int) $args[0];
			$term    = get_term( $term_id );
			if ( ! $term || is_wp_error( $term ) ) {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
				break;
			}

			$tax = get_taxonomy( $term->taxonomy );
			if ( ! $tax ) {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
				break;
			}

			if ( 'delete_term' === $cap
				&& ( get_option( 'default_' . $term->taxonomy ) == $term->term_id
					|| get_option( 'default_term_' . $term->taxonomy ) == $term->term_id )
			) {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
				break;
			}

			$taxo_cap = $cap . 's';

			$caps = map_meta_cap( $tax->cap->$taxo_cap, $user_id, $term_id );

			break;
		case 'manage_post_tags':
		case 'edit_categories':
		case 'edit_post_tags':
		case 'delete_categories':
		case 'delete_post_tags':
			$caps[] = 'manage_categories';
			break;
		case 'assign_categories':
		case 'assign_post_tags':
			$caps[] = 'edit_posts';
			break;
		case 'create_sites':
		case 'delete_sites':
		case 'manage_network':
		case 'manage_sites':
		case 'manage_network_users':
		case 'manage_network_plugins':
		case 'manage_network_themes':
		case 'manage_network_options':
		case 'upgrade_network':
			$caps[] = $cap;
			break;
		case 'setup_network':
			if ( is_multisite() ) {
				$caps[] = 'manage_network_options';
			} else {
				$caps[] = 'manage_options';
			}
			break;
		case 'update_php':
			if ( is_multisite() && ! is_super_admin( $user_id ) ) {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
			} else {
				$caps[] = 'update_core';
			}
			break;
		case 'update_https':
			if ( is_multisite() && ! is_super_admin( $user_id ) ) {
				$caps[] = 'do_not_allow';
			} else {
				$caps[] = 'manage_options';
				$caps[] = 'update_core';
			}
			break;
		case 'export_others_personal_data':
		case 'erase_others_personal_data':
		case 'manage_privacy_options':
			$caps[] = is_multisite() ? 'manage_network' : 'manage_options';
			break;
		case 'create_app_password':
		case 'list_app_passwords':
		case 'read_app_password':
		case 'edit_app_password':
		case 'delete_app_passwords':
		case 'delete_app_password':
			$caps = map_meta_cap( 'edit_user', $user_id, $args[0] );
			break;
		default:
			// Handle meta capabilities for custom post types.
			global $post_type_meta_caps;
			if ( isset( $post_type_meta_caps[ $cap ] ) ) {
				return map_meta_cap( $post_type_meta_caps[ $cap ], $user_id, ...$args );
			}

			// Block capabilities map to their post equivalent.
			$block_caps = array(
				'edit_blocks',
				'edit_others_blocks',
				'publish_blocks',
				'read_private_blocks',
				'delete_blocks',
				'delete_private_blocks',
				'delete_published_blocks',
				'delete_others_blocks',
				'edit_private_blocks',
				'edit_published_blocks',
			);
			if ( in_array( $cap, $block_caps, true ) ) {
				$cap = str_replace( '_blocks', '_posts', $cap );
			}

			// If no meta caps match, return the original cap.
			$caps[] = $cap;
	}

	/**
	 * Filters the primitive capabilities required of the given user to satisfy the
	 * capability being checked.
	 *
	 * @since 2.8.0
	 *
	 * @param string[] $caps    Primitive capabilities required of the user.
	 * @param string   $cap     Capability being checked.
	 * @param int      $user_id The user ID.
	 * @param array    $args    Adds context to the capability check, typically
	 *                          starting with an object ID.
	 */
	return apply_filters( 'map_meta_cap', $caps, $cap, $user_id, $args );
}

Changelog

Version Description
5.7.0 Added the create_app_password, list_app_passwords, read_app_password, edit_app_password, delete_app_passwords, delete_app_password, and update_https capabilities.
5.3.0 Formalized the existing and already documented ...$args parameter by adding it to the function signature.
5.2.0 Added the resume_plugin and resume_theme capabilities.
5.1.0 Added the update_php capability.
4.9.6 Added the export_others_personal_data, erase_others_personal_data, and manage_privacy_options capabilities.
2.0.0 Introduced.

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Licensed under the GNU GPLv2+ License.
https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/map_meta_cap