# Find Posts Using a Shortcode (WP-CLI)

> Adds a "wp find-shortcode" command that lists every post, page or custom post that contains a given shortcode, with its status and edit link. Handy before removing a plugin.

- Type: PHP
- Runs: Run everywhere
- Category: [Developer](https://wpide.com/library/category/developer/)
- Tags: wp-cli, shortcodes, audit
- Author: WPIDE Team
- Installs: 0
- Updated: 2026-10-28
- Page: https://wpide.com/library/cli-find-shortcode-usage/

## Code

```php
if ( ! defined( 'WP_CLI' ) || ! WP_CLI ) {
    return;
}

WP_CLI::add_command( 'find-shortcode', function ( $args, $assoc_args ) {
    global $wpdb;

    $tag        = sanitize_key( $args[0] );
    $post_types = isset( $assoc_args['post_type'] ) ? array_map( 'sanitize_key', explode( ',', $assoc_args['post_type'] ) ) : get_post_types( array( 'public' => true ) );
    $types_in   = implode( ',', array_fill( 0, count( $post_types ), '%s' ) );

    // Cheap LIKE filter first, then confirm with has_shortcode().
    $rows = $wpdb->get_results( $wpdb->prepare(
        "SELECT ID, post_title, post_type, post_status, post_content FROM {$wpdb->posts}
        WHERE post_type IN ($types_in) AND post_status NOT IN ('trash','auto-draft','inherit') AND post_content LIKE %s
        ORDER BY ID",
        array_merge( $post_types, array( '%[' . $wpdb->esc_like( $tag ) . '%' ) )
    ) );

    $items = array();
    foreach ( $rows as $row ) {
        if ( ! has_shortcode( $row->post_content, $tag ) && false === strpos( $row->post_content, '[' . $tag . ' ' ) && false === strpos( $row->post_content, '[' . $tag . ']' ) ) {
            continue;
        }
        $items[] = array(
            'ID'     => $row->ID,
            'type'   => $row->post_type,
            'status' => $row->post_status,
            'title'  => $row->post_title,
            'edit'   => admin_url( 'post.php?post=' . $row->ID . '&action=edit' ),
        );
    }

    if ( ! $items ) {
        WP_CLI::success( sprintf( 'No content uses [%s].', $tag ) );
        return;
    }

    WP_CLI\Utils\format_items( $assoc_args['format'] ?? 'table', $items, array( 'ID', 'type', 'status', 'title', 'edit' ) );
}, array(
    'shortdesc' => 'Lists content that contains a shortcode.',
    'synopsis'  => array(
        array( 'type' => 'positional', 'name' => 'tag', 'description' => 'Shortcode tag, without brackets.' ),
        array( 'type' => 'assoc', 'name' => 'post_type', 'optional' => true, 'description' => 'Comma-separated post types. Default: all public types.' ),
        array( 'type' => 'assoc', 'name' => 'format', 'optional' => true, 'default' => 'table', 'options' => array( 'table', 'csv', 'json', 'count' ) ),
    ),
) );
```

## Notes

Run it as "wp find-shortcode gallery --post_type=post,page --format=csv"; drafts and private posts are included.

## How to use it

Install the free WPIDE plugin (https://wordpress.org/plugins/wpide/), find "Find Posts Using a Shortcode (WP-CLI)" in its snippet library and add it in one click; or create a new PHP snippet in WPIDE (or any code snippets plugin) and paste the code above. More snippets: https://wpide.com/library/