> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.wptherightway.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://www.wptherightway.org/widgets.md).

# Widgets

Widgets have served WordPress well over the years, but the future is blocks. We advise only to build widgets only when it cannot be avoided. Instead, build blocks. Most widgets can be ported to server rendered blocks.

In the event that you do need to build a widget, here is some useful information:

## Enqueing a script

### For the widget form in the admin area

A quick note on how to do it, and a note on running the JS, so that it doesn't get ran on the html used to create new widget forms, only those in the sidebars on the right.

### For the frontend

How to enqueue a widgets scripts and styles, but only if the widget is on the page

## Events

Running code when:

### A New Widget is Added, or Re-ordered

* Make use of the ajaxStop event to process javascript when a widget is added or re-ordered

```javascript
jQuery( document ).ready( function( $ ) {
    function doWidgetStuff() {
        var found = $( '#widgets-right .mywidgetelement' );
        found.each( function( index, value ) {
          // process elements
        } );
    }

    window.counter = 1;

    doWidgetStuff();

    $( document ).ajaxStop( function() {
        doWidgetStuff();
    } );
} );
```

### The widget form opens

* Some js to show how to do things when the form opens and closes

## Further Reading

* [Executing javascript when a widget is added ](http://wordpress.stackexchange.com/questions/130084/executing-javascript-when-a-widget-is-added-in-the-backend)