AI Prompt Templates for WoW Addon Development¶

You are an expert World of Warcraft addon developer. Follow these rules strictly:

ENVIRONMENT:
- WoW uses Lua 5.1 (NOT 5.2, 5.3, or 5.4). No goto, no // operator, no bitwise
  operators from 5.3+. Use bit.band/bit.bor/bit.bxor for bitwise operations.
- Interface number: 120001 (Patch 12.0.x Midnight)
- No require(), dofile(), loadfile(), os, io, or debug libraries. These do not
  exist in WoW's sandbox.
- Math trig functions use DEGREES, not radians.
- Strings are 1-indexed (standard Lua).

ARCHITECTURE:
- Every file receives two varargs: local addonName, ns = ...
  Use ns (namespace table) to share data between files. NEVER use globals for
  addon state.
- Use the table dispatch pattern for events (define functions on a table keyed
  by event name, iterate to register, dispatch in OnEvent).
- Check InCombatLockdown() before any frame Show/Hide/SetPoint/SetAttribute
  operations on secure frames. Queue changes for PLAYER_REGEN_ENABLED.
- Initialize SavedVariables in ADDON_LOADED, not at file load time. They are
  nil until that event fires for your addon.

API RULES (Midnight 12.0):
- Use C_ namespace functions, NOT deprecated globals:
  C_Spell.GetSpellInfo(id) NOT GetSpellInfo(id)
  C_Spell.GetSpellCooldown(id) NOT GetSpellCooldown(id)
  C_AddOns.GetAddOnMetadata() NOT GetAddOnMetadata()
  C_Timer.After(seconds, callback) for delayed execution
- COMBAT_LOG_EVENT_UNFILTERED does NOT exist for addons in Midnight.
  Do not register for it or call CombatLogGetCurrentEventInfo().
- UnitHealth(), UnitPower(), UnitName() return SECRET VALUES in instanced
  combat. Addons can bind them to display widgets but cannot read, compare,
  or branch on them in Lua logic.
- Addon messaging (C_ChatInfo.SendAddonMessage) is restricted during active
  encounters. Guard sends with encounter state checks.
- Use Settings.RegisterAddOnCategory() for the options panel, not the
  removed InterfaceOptions_AddCategory().

CODE STYLE:
- Use local variables everywhere. Minimize globals (only SLASH_ and
  SlashCmdList entries).
- Use wipe(table) to clear tables, not table = {}.
- Use string.format() or format() for string building, not .. chains in loops.
- Always nil-check API returns before indexing into them.

Create a complete WoW addon called [ADDON_NAME] that [DESCRIPTION].

Requirements:
- Generate the .toc file (Interface: 120001) and all .lua files
- Use the namespace pattern: local addonName, ns = ...
- Use table dispatch for event handling
- Include SavedVariables with defaults initialized in ADDON_LOADED
- Add slash command /[COMMAND] with help text
- Add Addon Compartment support (minimap button via TOC fields)
- Use Settings.RegisterAddOnCategory() for an options panel
- All frame operations must check InCombatLockdown()

Show me the complete file structure and contents of each file.

Add a settings/options panel to my WoW addon. My addon's namespace table is
called ns, addon name is [ADDON_NAME], and my SavedVariables table is
[SAVED_VAR_NAME] with these settings:

[LIST YOUR SETTINGS, e.g.:
- enabled (boolean, default true)
- scale (number, 0.5-2.0, default 1.0)
- soundEnabled (boolean, default true)
- displayMode (dropdown: "minimal", "detailed", "full", default "detailed")
]

Requirements:
- Use Settings.RegisterAddOnCategory() (NOT InterfaceOptions_AddCategory)
- Use Settings.RegisterProxySetting for each option
- Include proper category name and layout
- Settings must read from and write to the SavedVariables table
- Include a "Defaults" button that resets all settings
- Panel must be accessible via /[COMMAND] config and the game's addon settings

WoW Lua 5.1, Interface 120001 (Midnight). Use C_ namespace APIs.

Add both an Addon Compartment entry (Midnight's native minimap menu) AND a
traditional LibDataBroker minimap button to my WoW addon [ADDON_NAME].

The addon compartment entry should:
- Show a tooltip with addon name, version, and usage hints
- Left-click toggles the main window
- Right-click opens settings

The LibDataBroker minimap button should:
- Use LibDBIcon-1.0 for positioning/dragging
- Persist position in SavedVariables
- Show the same tooltip and click behavior
- Be hideable (some users prefer Compartment only)

My namespace is ns, saved variables table is [SAVED_VAR_NAME].
WoW Lua 5.1, Interface 120001. Show complete code.

Create a custom unit frame addon for WoW Midnight (12.0, Interface 120001)
that displays [player/target/party/raid] frames with:

- Health bar (using StatusBar widget with proper Secret Values handling)
- Power bar (mana/rage/energy)
- Name text
- Level and class color
- Buff/debuff icons
- Cast bar (if target)

CRITICAL Midnight constraints:
- UnitHealth(), UnitPower() return SECRET VALUES in instanced combat.
  You can bind them to StatusBar:SetValue() for display, but you CANNOT
  read the values, compare them, or use them in if/then logic during combat.
- Use UNIT_HEALTH, UNIT_POWER_UPDATE, UNIT_AURA events for updates.
- Do NOT use COMBAT_LOG_EVENT_UNFILTERED — it does not exist in 12.0.
- Check InCombatLockdown() before frame manipulation.
- For heal prediction, use CreateUnitHealPredictionCalculator() with
  SetIncomingHealClampMode().
- Focus on SKINNING Blizzard's data pipeline, not replacing it.

Lua 5.1, no require/dofile. Show complete addon with TOC and all files.

Create a WoW addon that enhances the boss encounter experience in Midnight
(12.0, Interface 120001). The addon should:

- Skin/restyle Blizzard's built-in Boss Ability Timeline
- Add custom audio alerts layered on Blizzard's alert severity pools
  (minor, medium, critical)
- Display custom timer bars using the reminder system
- Show a pull timer with countdown
- Track encounter duration
- Display post-wipe summary (boss health %, deaths, duration)

CRITICAL Midnight constraints:
- COMBAT_LOG_EVENT_UNFILTERED does NOT exist. Do not register for it.
- Addon messaging (C_ChatInfo.SendAddonMessage) is blocked during
  active encounters. Queue messages for ENCOUNTER_END.
- You cannot independently detect boss abilities — work WITH Blizzard's
  native Boss Timeline and alert system, not around it.
- Boss health is a secret value during encounters. You can display it
  but not read it programmatically.
- Use ENCOUNTER_START, ENCOUNTER_END events for encounter boundaries.
- Post-combat data is available between pulls.

Design philosophy: "Skin, don't replace." Enhance what Blizzard provides.
Lua 5.1, no require/dofile. Show complete addon.

Create a WoW addon for auction house and economy tracking in Midnight
(12.0, Interface 120001). Features:

- Scan the AH and store price history in SavedVariables
- Show tooltip price information when hovering items
- Track daily gold income/expenses per character
- Display a price history graph for items
- Batch posting interface for common items

Technical requirements:
- Use C_AuctionHouse namespace (NOT the old AuctionFrame functions)
- Key functions: C_AuctionHouse.GetItemSearchResultInfo(),
  C_AuctionHouse.SearchForItemKeys(), C_AuctionHouse.PostCommodity(),
  C_AuctionHouse.PostItem()
- Use AUCTION_HOUSE_SHOW, AUCTION_HOUSE_CLOSED,
  COMMODITY_SEARCH_RESULTS_UPDATED, ITEM_SEARCH_RESULTS_UPDATED events
- Store price data efficiently (average, min, max, sample count per day)
- Tooltip hooks via GameTooltip:HookScript("OnTooltipSetItem", ...)
- This is a non-combat addon — Secret Values are NOT relevant here.

Lua 5.1, Interface 120001. Use local + namespace pattern. Show complete
addon with TOC and all files.

I'm getting this error in my WoW addon:

My addon code is:

```lua
[PASTE RELEVANT CODE HERE]

!!! tip "Getting the error text"
    Install [BugSack](https://www.curseforge.com/wow/addons/bugsack) + [BugGrabber](https://www.curseforge.com/wow/addons/bug-grabber) for clean error capture. Or enable the built-in error display: `/console scriptErrors 1`

---

## Prompt 8: Migrate My Addon to Midnight 12.0

```text
I need to update my WoW addon from [PREVIOUS_EXPANSION] to Midnight
(Patch 12.0, Interface 120001). Here is my addon code:

[PASTE YOUR ADDON FILES HERE]

Please perform a complete migration:

1. UPDATE TOC: Change Interface to 120001

2. REPLACE REMOVED APIs:
   - GetSpellInfo(id) → C_Spell.GetSpellInfo(id) (returns a table, not
     multiple values)
   - GetSpellCooldown(id) → C_Spell.GetSpellCooldown(id) (returns a table)
   - GetAddOnMetadata() → C_AddOns.GetAddOnMetadata()
   - UnitBuff/UnitDebuff → C_UnitAuras.GetAuraDataByIndex() or
     AuraUtil.ForEachAura()
   - InterfaceOptions_AddCategory() → Settings.RegisterAddOnCategory()

3. REMOVE CLEU DEPENDENCIES:
   - Remove any COMBAT_LOG_EVENT_UNFILTERED handlers
   - Remove calls to CombatLogGetCurrentEventInfo()
   - Replace with appropriate alternatives or remove combat log features

4. HANDLE SECRET VALUES:
   - Find any code that reads UnitHealth/UnitPower/combat data and
     uses it in conditional logic
   - Convert to display-only patterns where possible
   - Mark features that are no longer possible under Midnight

5. GUARD ADDON MESSAGING:
   - Wrap C_ChatInfo.SendAddonMessage() calls with encounter state checks
   - Queue messages during encounters, flush on ENCOUNTER_END

6. Show me a complete diff of all changes with explanations.

Create a WoW addon that provides a custom visual overlay for [DESCRIBE
WHAT YOU WANT TO TRACK]. This is for Midnight (12.0, Interface 120001)
where WeakAuras combat triggers no longer work.

The display should show:
- [Describe elements: progress bars, icons, text, etc.]
- [Position: center screen, near player frame, etc.]
- [Behavior: when to show/hide, animations, etc.]

CRITICAL Midnight constraints:
- This is a VISUAL DISPLAY addon, not a decision-making addon.
- For whitelisted spells (class resources like Holy Power, Combo Points,
  Maelstrom Weapon, Soul Fragments), you CAN read cooldown and charge
  data via C_Spell.GetSpellCooldown().
- For non-whitelisted combat data, you can only DISPLAY values through
  StatusBar/FontString binding — not read them.
- Use UNIT_AURA, UNIT_POWER_UPDATE, SPELL_UPDATE_COOLDOWN events.
- Do NOT use COMBAT_LOG_EVENT_UNFILTERED.
- Out-of-combat tracking (profession cooldowns, world timers, etc.) has
  NO restrictions — full API access.

Lua 5.1, namespace pattern, table dispatch events. Show complete addon.

Add multi-language localization support to my WoW addon [ADDON_NAME].
Current English strings are hardcoded. Here is my addon code:

[PASTE YOUR CODE OR LIST YOUR USER-FACING STRINGS]

Requirements:
- Create a Locales/ folder with one file per language
- Use the standard GetLocale() pattern to load the right language
- Support at least: enUS, deDE, frFR, esES, ptBR, zhCN, zhTW, koKR, ruRU
- English (enUS) is the fallback for any missing translations
- Non-English files should have empty strings as placeholders for
  translators to fill in
- Use a metatable with __index fallback so missing translations
  show the English text
- Strings must be accessible via ns.L["key"] from any file

Lua 5.1. File loading order matters — locale files must load before
core files in the TOC. Show the TOC changes and all locale files.

My WoW addon is causing a taint error:
[PASTE ERROR]

This addon is for Midnight 12.0 (Interface 120001). Explain what's
causing the taint, and show me how to fix it. Remember:
- Setting attributes on secure frames in combat causes taint
- Reading tainted globals propagates taint
- hooksecurefunc() is safe; directly replacing Blizzard functions is not

Make this WoW frame movable by the user (drag to reposition) and save
its position in SavedVariables. Must check InCombatLockdown() before
restoring position. Lua 5.1, Midnight 12.0.

Frame variable name: [FRAME_NAME]
SavedVariables table: [SAVED_VAR_NAME]

Add a tooltip to my WoW frame that shows on mouseover. The tooltip
should display:
[DESCRIBE TOOLTIP CONTENT]

Use GameTooltip:SetOwner() with proper anchoring. Must call
GameTooltip:Hide() on leave. Lua 5.1, Midnight 12.0.

Create a scrollable list frame for my WoW addon that displays [DESCRIBE
DATA]. Use the modern ScrollBox API (NOT the old FauxScrollFrame or
HybridScrollFrame which are deprecated).

Data source: [DESCRIBE WHERE DATA COMES FROM]
Lua 5.1, Midnight 12.0. Show complete code.

BAD:  "Make me a damage meter addon"
GOOD: "Create a WoW addon (Lua 5.1, Interface 120001, Midnight) that
       displays post-combat damage breakdowns. CLEU does not exist in
       12.0. Use between-pull data access. Show TOC and all files."

The code you generated has these problems:
1. Line X uses GetSpellInfo() which was removed in 12.0 — replace with
   C_Spell.GetSpellInfo() which returns a table
2. Line Y branches on UnitHealth() which returns a secret value in
   Midnight combat — convert to display-only
3. Line Z uses InterfaceOptions_AddCategory which was removed — use
   Settings.RegisterAddOnCategory()

Please fix all three issues and show the corrected code.