API Quick-Reference Cheat Sheet¶

CreateFrame(frameType [, name, parent, template, id]) -> frame
-- frameType: "Frame", "Button", "CheckButton", "EditBox", "ScrollFrame",
--            "Slider", "StatusBar", "Cooldown", "GameTooltip", "ModelScene", etc.
-- name:     Global name (creates _G["name"]). Use nil for anonymous frames.
-- parent:   Parent frame. Usually UIParent.
-- template: Comma-separated string, e.g. "BackdropTemplate,SecureActionButtonTemplate"
-- id:       Numeric ID, accessible via self:GetID()

frame:SetSize(width, height)
frame:SetWidth(width)
frame:SetHeight(height)
frame:GetSize() -> width, height
frame:GetWidth() -> width
frame:GetHeight() -> height

frame:SetPoint(point [, relativeTo, relativePoint, offsetX, offsetY])
-- point: "TOPLEFT", "TOP", "TOPRIGHT", "LEFT", "CENTER", "RIGHT",
--        "BOTTOMLEFT", "BOTTOM", "BOTTOMRIGHT"
-- relativeTo: reference frame (nil = parent)
-- relativePoint: defaults to same as point if omitted
-- offsetX: pixels, positive = right
-- offsetY: pixels, positive = up

frame:SetAllPoints([relativeTo])      -- Fill entire reference frame
frame:ClearAllPoints()                -- MUST call before re-anchoring
frame:GetPoint(index) -> point, relativeTo, relativePoint, offsetX, offsetY
frame:GetNumPoints() -> count

frame:Show()
frame:Hide()
frame:SetShown(bool)
frame:IsShown() -> bool    -- Is THIS frame shown? (ignores parent)
frame:IsVisible() -> bool  -- Is this frame AND all parents shown?
frame:SetAlpha(alpha)      -- 0.0 to 1.0
frame:GetAlpha() -> alpha
frame:GetEffectiveAlpha() -> alpha  -- Includes parent alpha multiplication

frame:SetFrameStrata(strata)
-- Strata (low to high): "WORLD", "BACKGROUND", "LOW", "MEDIUM",
--   "HIGH", "DIALOG", "FULLSCREEN", "FULLSCREEN_DIALOG", "TOOLTIP"
frame:GetFrameStrata() -> strata

frame:SetFrameLevel(level)   -- Within same strata, higher = on top
frame:GetFrameLevel() -> level

frame:EnableMouse(bool)
frame:SetMovable(bool)
frame:SetResizable(bool)
frame:SetClampedToScreen(bool)
frame:RegisterForDrag("LeftButton" [, "RightButton"])
frame:StartMoving()
frame:StopMovingOrSizing()
frame:StartSizing(point)     -- "BOTTOMRIGHT", "RIGHT", etc.
frame:SetResizeBounds(minW, minH [, maxW, maxH])

frame:CreateTexture([name, layer, inherits, subLevel]) -> texture
-- layer: "BACKGROUND", "BORDER", "ARTWORK", "OVERLAY", "HIGHLIGHT"
-- subLevel: -8 to +7 (default 0)

texture:SetTexture(pathOrFileID)              -- "Interface\\Icons\\..." or numeric fileID
texture:SetAtlas(atlasName [, useAtlasSize])  -- Named atlas texture
texture:SetColorTexture(r, g, b [, a])        -- Solid color fill
texture:SetTexCoord(left, right, top, bottom) -- Crop/flip texture
texture:SetVertexColor(r, g, b [, a])         -- Tint
texture:SetBlendMode(mode)                    -- "BLEND", "ADD", "ALPHAKEY", "DISABLE"
texture:SetAllPoints([relativeTo])
texture:SetSize(width, height)
texture:SetDrawLayer(layer [, subLevel])

frame:CreateFontString([name, layer, inherits]) -> fontstring
-- Common inherits: "GameFontNormal", "GameFontNormalLarge",
--   "GameFontHighlight", "GameFontHighlightSmall", "NumberFontNormal"

fontstring:SetText(text)
fontstring:GetText() -> text
fontstring:SetFont(fontPath, size [, flags]) -> didSet
-- flags: "OUTLINE", "THICKOUTLINE", "MONOCHROME", or combinations
-- e.g. "OUTLINE, MONOCHROME"

fontstring:SetTextColor(r, g, b [, a])
fontstring:SetJustifyH(justify)   -- "LEFT", "CENTER", "RIGHT"
fontstring:SetJustifyV(justify)   -- "TOP", "MIDDLE", "BOTTOM"
fontstring:SetWordWrap(bool)
fontstring:SetMaxLines(count)
fontstring:GetStringWidth() -> width   -- Actual rendered text width
fontstring:GetStringHeight() -> height

frame:CreateLine([name, layer, inherits, subLevel]) -> line
line:SetThickness(thickness)
line:SetStartPoint(point, relativeTo, offsetX, offsetY)
line:SetEndPoint(point, relativeTo, offsetX, offsetY)
line:SetColorTexture(r, g, b [, a])

frame:CreateMaskTexture([name, layer]) -> mask
mask:SetTexture(path)
texture:AddMaskTexture(mask)
texture:RemoveMaskTexture(mask)

frame:RegisterEvent(event) -> bool
frame:UnregisterEvent(event)
frame:UnregisterAllEvents()
frame:IsEventRegistered(event) -> bool

-- Unit-filtered events (more efficient than RegisterEvent + manual filtering):
frame:RegisterUnitEvent(event, unit1 [, unit2])
-- Only fires for specified units. Works with:
-- UNIT_HEALTH, UNIT_POWER_UPDATE, UNIT_AURA, UNIT_SPELLCAST_*, etc.

frame:SetScript(scriptType, handler)
-- handler receives (self, ...) where ... varies by script type

frame:GetScript(scriptType) -> handler
frame:HasScript(scriptType) -> bool

frame:HookScript(scriptType, handler)
-- Runs AFTER the existing handler. Cannot prevent or modify the original.
-- Does NOT replace the original like SetScript does.

hooksecurefunc([table,] "funcName", hookFunc)
-- Runs AFTER the original function. Cannot change return values.
-- Does NOT taint the original. Safe to use.
-- hookFunc receives the SAME arguments as the original.

-- Example: Hook a Blizzard function
hooksecurefunc("TargetFrame_Update", function(self)
    -- Runs after every TargetFrame_Update call
end)

-- Example: Hook a method on a table
hooksecurefunc(GameTooltip, "SetUnit", function(self)
    -- Runs after GameTooltip:SetUnit()
end)

C_Timer.After(seconds, callback)
-- One-shot timer. Fires once after delay.
-- ⚠️ DOES NOT RETURN A HANDLE. Cannot be cancelled!

local ticker = C_Timer.NewTicker(seconds, callback [, iterations])
-- Repeating timer. Optional iteration limit.
ticker:Cancel()
ticker:IsCancelled() -> bool

local timer = C_Timer.NewTimer(seconds, callback)
-- One-shot timer WITH a cancel handle.
timer:Cancel()
timer:IsCancelled() -> bool

-- Identity
UnitName(unit) -> name, realm
UnitFullName(unit) -> name, realm
UnitGUID(unit) -> guid                    -- "Player-1234-0ABCDEF0"
UnitClass(unit) -> className, classFile, classID
-- className: localized ("Warrior"), classFile: token ("WARRIOR"), classID: number

-- Status
UnitExists(unit) -> bool
UnitIsPlayer(unit) -> bool
UnitIsDead(unit) -> bool
UnitIsDeadOrGhost(unit) -> bool
UnitIsAFK(unit) -> bool
UnitAffectingCombat(unit) -> bool
UnitIsConnected(unit) -> bool

-- Health & Power
UnitHealth(unit) -> health
UnitHealthMax(unit) -> maxHealth
UnitPower(unit [, powerType]) -> power
UnitPowerMax(unit [, powerType]) -> maxPower
-- powerType: Enum.PowerType.Mana (0), .Rage (1), .Focus (2), .Energy (3),
--   .ComboPoints (4), .RunicPower (6), etc.

-- Level & Faction
UnitLevel(unit) -> level  -- Returns -1 for ?? mobs
UnitFactionGroup(unit) -> faction, localizedFaction
UnitRace(unit) -> raceName, raceFile, raceID

-- Targeting
UnitIsUnit(unit1, unit2) -> bool  -- Are they the same unit?
UnitIsFriend(unit1, unit2) -> bool
UnitIsEnemy(unit1, unit2) -> bool
UnitCanAttack(unit1, unit2) -> bool

-- 12.0+ Aura API (replaces old UnitBuff/UnitDebuff):
C_UnitAuras.GetAuraDataByIndex(unit, index [, filter]) -> AuraData or nil
C_UnitAuras.GetAuraDataByAuraInstanceID(unit, auraInstanceID) -> AuraData or nil
C_UnitAuras.GetAuraDataBySpellName(unit, spellName [, filter]) -> AuraData or nil
C_UnitAuras.GetPlayerAuraBySpellID(spellID) -> AuraData or nil

-- AuraData table fields:
-- .name, .icon, .count (stacks), .duration, .expirationTime,
-- .sourceUnit, .isStealable, .spellId, .auraInstanceID,
-- .isHarmful, .isHelpful, .points (array of effect values)

-- Filter strings: "HELPFUL", "HARMFUL", "PLAYER", "CANCELABLE", "NOT_CANCELABLE"
-- Combine with |: "HELPFUL|PLAYER"

-- Iteration helper:
AuraUtil.ForEachAura(unit, filter, maxCount, func)
-- func receives (auraData) for each aura, return true to stop

-- ✅ CORRECT 12.0+ API:
C_Spell.GetSpellInfo(spellID) -> SpellInfo or nil
-- SpellInfo: { name, iconID, originalIconID, castTime, minRange, maxRange, spellID }

C_Spell.GetSpellName(spellID) -> name
C_Spell.GetSpellTexture(spellID) -> iconID
C_Spell.GetSpellDescription(spellID) -> description

C_Spell.GetSpellCooldown(spellID) -> CooldownInfo
-- CooldownInfo: { startTime, duration, isEnabled, modRate }

C_Spell.GetSpellCharges(spellID) -> SpellChargeInfo or nil
-- SpellChargeInfo: { currentCharges, maxCharges, cooldownStartTime, cooldownDuration, chargeModRate }

C_Spell.IsSpellUsable(spellID) -> isUsable, notEnoughPower
C_Spell.IsSpellInRange(spellID, unit) -> bool or nil

-- ✅ CORRECT 12.0+ API:
C_Item.GetItemInfo(itemID) -> ItemInfo or nil  -- May return nil until cached!
-- ItemInfo: { itemName, itemLink, itemQuality, itemLevel, itemMinLevel,
--   itemType, itemSubType, itemStackCount, itemEquipLoc, itemTexture, ... }

C_Item.GetItemName(itemID) -> name or nil
C_Item.GetItemIconByID(itemID) -> iconID or nil
C_Item.GetItemQualityByID(itemID) -> quality or nil

-- Force item data to load (async):
C_Item.RequestLoadItemDataByID(itemID)
-- Listen for ITEM_DATA_LOAD_RESULT event after calling this

C_Item.IsItemDataCachedByID(itemID) -> bool
C_Item.DoesItemExistByID(itemID) -> bool

-- Item links:
C_Item.GetItemLink(itemID) -> link or nil

C_ChatInfo.RegisterAddonMessagePrefix(prefix)
-- prefix: max 16 characters. Must register before sending/receiving.

C_ChatInfo.SendAddonMessage(prefix, text, chatType [, target])
-- text: max 255 bytes
-- chatType: "PARTY", "RAID", "GUILD", "WHISPER", "CHANNEL"
-- target: required for WHISPER (player name) and CHANNEL (channel index)

-- Receive via event:
-- CHAT_MSG_ADDON: prefix, text, channel, sender

-- Declared in .toc file:
-- ## SavedVariables: MyAddonDB
-- ## SavedVariablesPerCharacter: MyAddonCharDB

-- Access pattern (the ONLY correct way):
local addonName, ns = ...  -- In your main .lua file

local frame = CreateFrame("Frame")
frame:RegisterEvent("ADDON_LOADED")
frame:SetScript("OnEvent", function(self, event, loadedAddon)
    if loadedAddon == addonName then
        -- NOW MyAddonDB is available as a global
        MyAddonDB = MyAddonDB or {}  -- Initialize with defaults
        self:UnregisterEvent("ADDON_LOADED")
    end
end)

SLASH_MYADDON1 = "/myaddon"
SLASH_MYADDON2 = "/ma"
SlashCmdList["MYADDON"] = function(msg, editBox)
    -- msg: everything after the slash command (trimmed)
    local cmd, rest = msg:match("^(%S*)%s*(.-)$")
    if cmd == "config" then
        Settings.OpenToCategory("MyAddon")
    elseif cmd == "reset" then
        -- reset something
    else
        print("Usage: /myaddon config | reset")
    end
end

InCombatLockdown() -> bool
-- true = in combat. Cannot create/modify secure frames, change bindings,
-- call protected functions, or load addons.

issecurevariable([table,] "variable") -> isSecure, taintedBy
-- Check if a variable is untainted (safe to use in secure context)

securecall(func, ...) -> ...
-- Call a function without spreading taint

hooksecurefunc([table,] "funcName", hookFunc)
-- Post-hook that runs AFTER the original. Does NOT taint.
-- hookFunc receives the SAME arguments as the original.
-- Cannot modify return values or prevent execution.

-- Use the global GameTooltip (do NOT create your own for simple tooltips):
GameTooltip:SetOwner(ownerFrame, anchor [, offsetX, offsetY])
-- anchor: "ANCHOR_TOP", "ANCHOR_BOTTOM", "ANCHOR_LEFT", "ANCHOR_RIGHT",
--   "ANCHOR_TOPLEFT", "ANCHOR_TOPRIGHT", "ANCHOR_BOTTOMLEFT",
--   "ANCHOR_BOTTOMRIGHT", "ANCHOR_CURSOR", "ANCHOR_NONE"

GameTooltip:AddLine(text [, r, g, b, wrapText])
GameTooltip:AddDoubleLine(leftText, rightText [, lR, lG, lB, rR, rG, rB])
GameTooltip:SetText(text [, r, g, b, wrapText])  -- Replaces ALL content
GameTooltip:Show()
GameTooltip:Hide()

-- Setting tooltip to show item/spell info:
GameTooltip:SetItemByID(itemID)
GameTooltip:SetSpellByID(spellID)
GameTooltip:SetUnitAura(unit, index [, filter])

-- Declared in .toc file:
-- ## AddonCompartmentFunc: MyAddon_OnClick
-- ## AddonCompartmentFuncOnEnter: MyAddon_OnEnter
-- ## AddonCompartmentFuncOnLeave: MyAddon_OnLeave

-- Must be GLOBAL functions:
function MyAddon_OnClick(addonName, mouseButton)
    Settings.OpenToCategory("MyAddon")
end

function MyAddon_OnEnter(addonName, menuButtonFrame)
    GameTooltip:SetOwner(menuButtonFrame, "ANCHOR_LEFT")
    GameTooltip:SetText("My Addon")
    GameTooltip:AddLine("Click to open settings", 1, 1, 1)
    GameTooltip:Show()
end

function MyAddon_OnLeave(addonName, menuButtonFrame)
    GameTooltip:Hide()
end

-- Create a settings category
local category = Settings.RegisterVerticalLayoutCategory("My Addon")

-- Add a checkbox setting
local variable = "MyAddonDB.enableFeature"
local name = "Enable Feature"
local tooltip = "Toggles the main feature on or off."
local defaultValue = true

local setting = Settings.RegisterAddOnSetting(category, variable, name, MyAddonDB, type(defaultValue), defaultValue)
Settings.CreateCheckbox(category, setting, tooltip)

-- Add a slider setting
local sliderSetting = Settings.RegisterAddOnSetting(category, "MyAddonDB.opacity", "Opacity", MyAddonDB, type(1.0), 1.0)
local options = Settings.CreateSliderOptions(0, 1, 0.05)
options:SetLabelFormatter(MinimalSliderWithSteppersMixin.Label.Right, function(value)
    return string.format("%.0f%%", value * 100)
end)
Settings.CreateSlider(category, sliderSetting, options, "Set the frame opacity.")

-- Register the category
Settings.RegisterAddOnCategory(category)

-- Open settings to your addon
Settings.OpenToCategory(category:GetID())

-- Apply mixin to an existing object:
Mixin(target, mixin1 [, mixin2, ...])
-- Shallow-copies all keys from mixin tables onto target.
-- Later mixins overwrite earlier ones on key collision.

-- Create a new table from mixins:
local obj = CreateFromMixins(mixin1 [, mixin2, ...])

-- Common usage pattern:
MyFrameMixin = {}
function MyFrameMixin:OnLoad()
    self:RegisterEvent("PLAYER_LOGIN")
end
function MyFrameMixin:OnEvent(event, ...)
    -- handle events
end

-- In XML:
-- <Frame mixin="MyFrameMixin">
--   <Scripts>
--     <OnLoad method="OnLoad"/>
--     <OnEvent method="OnEvent"/>
--   </Scripts>
-- </Frame>

-- In Lua:
local frame = CreateFrame("Frame", nil, UIParent)
Mixin(frame, MyFrameMixin)
frame:OnLoad()  -- Must call manually when applying via Lua

-- Query metadata from .toc:
C_AddOns.GetAddOnMetadata(addonName, field) -> value
-- field: "Title", "Notes", "Author", "Version", "X-Website", etc.

C_AddOns.GetNumAddOns() -> count
C_AddOns.GetAddOnInfo(index) -> name, title, notes, loadable, reason, security
C_AddOns.IsAddOnLoaded(addonNameOrIndex) -> isLoaded, isLoadFinished
C_AddOns.LoadAddOn(addonName) -- Load a LoadOnDemand addon
C_AddOns.EnableAddOn(addonName [, character])
C_AddOns.DisableAddOn(addonName [, character])

-- ❌ WRONG (AI writes this):
local name, rank, icon, castTime = GetSpellInfo(spellID)

-- ✅ CORRECT (12.0+):
local info = C_Spell.GetSpellInfo(spellID)
local name = info and info.name
local icon = info and info.iconID

-- ❌ WRONG:
local name, link, quality = GetItemInfo(itemID)

-- ✅ CORRECT (12.0+):
local info = C_Item.GetItemInfo(itemID)
-- May return nil! Check before accessing fields.
if info then
    local name = info.itemName
end

-- ❌ WRONG:
local timer = C_Timer.After(5, myCallback)
timer:Cancel()  -- ERROR: timer is nil

-- ✅ CORRECT:
local timer = C_Timer.NewTimer(5, myCallback)
timer:Cancel()  -- Works

-- ❌ WRONG (AI uses LTRB from other APIs):
texture:SetTexCoord(0, 0, 1, 1)

-- ✅ CORRECT (WoW uses LRTB):
texture:SetTexCoord(0, 1, 0, 1)  -- Full texture, no crop
texture:SetTexCoord(0, 0.5, 0, 0.5)  -- Top-left quarter

-- ❌ WRONG:
SLASH_MYADDON = "/myaddon"              -- Missing numeric suffix
SlashCmdList["MYADDON1"] = function() end  -- Key should NOT have suffix

-- ✅ CORRECT:
SLASH_MYADDON1 = "/myaddon"             -- "1" suffix on SLASH_ global
SlashCmdList["MYADDON"] = function() end -- No suffix on SlashCmdList key

-- ❌ WRONG (removed in 12.0):
local name, icon, count, debuffType, duration, expirationTime = UnitBuff("player", i)

-- ✅ CORRECT:
local auraData = C_UnitAuras.GetAuraDataByIndex("player", i, "HELPFUL")
if auraData then
    local name = auraData.name
    local icon = auraData.icon
    local stacks = auraData.count
end

-- ❌ WRONG (errors since 9.0):
local frame = CreateFrame("Frame", nil, UIParent)
frame:SetBackdrop({...})  -- ERROR: SetBackdrop is nil

-- ✅ CORRECT:
local frame = CreateFrame("Frame", nil, UIParent, "BackdropTemplate")
frame:SetBackdrop({
    bgFile = "Interface\\Tooltips\\UI-Tooltip-Background",
    edgeFile = "Interface\\Tooltips\\UI-Tooltip-Border",
    tile = true, tileSize = 16, edgeSize = 16,
    insets = { left = 4, right = 4, top = 4, bottom = 4 },
})

-- ❌ WRONG (mixing up the two):
frame:hooksecurefunc("OnClick", myHandler)  -- Not a frame method
hooksecurefunc(frame, "OnClick", myHandler)  -- OnClick isn't a named method

-- ✅ CORRECT — For script hooks on frames:
frame:HookScript("OnClick", myHandler)

-- ✅ CORRECT — For global/table function hooks:
hooksecurefunc("ChatFrame_OpenChat", myHandler)
hooksecurefunc(GameTooltip, "SetUnit", myHandler)

-- ❌ WRONG (stale anchors remain):
frame:SetPoint("CENTER", UIParent, "CENTER")
-- ... later ...
frame:SetPoint("TOPLEFT", UIParent, "TOPLEFT", 10, -10)
-- Frame now has TWO anchor sets = unpredictable layout

-- ✅ CORRECT:
frame:ClearAllPoints()
frame:SetPoint("TOPLEFT", UIParent, "TOPLEFT", 10, -10)

-- ❌ WRONG (MyAddonDB is nil at load time):
MyAddonDB = MyAddonDB or {}
MyAddonDB.setting = true

-- ✅ CORRECT:
local frame = CreateFrame("Frame")
frame:RegisterEvent("ADDON_LOADED")
frame:SetScript("OnEvent", function(self, event, addon)
    if addon == "MyAddon" then
        MyAddonDB = MyAddonDB or {}
        -- NOW it's safe to use
    end
end)

-- ❌ WRONG (event removed in 12.0):
frame:RegisterEvent("COMBAT_LOG_EVENT_UNFILTERED")
frame:SetScript("OnEvent", function(self, event)
    local _, subEvent, _, sourceGUID = CombatLogGetCurrentEventInfo()
end)

-- ✅ CORRECT: There is no direct replacement. Use:
-- - C_UnitAuras for buff/debuff tracking
-- - Blizzard's native damage meter API for combat stats
-- - Boss mod frameworks (DBM/BigWigs) for encounter mechanics

-- ❌ WRONG:
DEFAULT_CHAT_FRAME:Print("Hello")  -- Print doesn't exist on chat frames
print("Hello", 1, 0, 0)           -- print doesn't accept color args

-- ✅ CORRECT:
print("Hello")                     -- Simple output to chat
DEFAULT_CHAT_FRAME:AddMessage("Hello", 1, 0.5, 0)  -- With color (r,g,b)

-- ❌ WRONG:
local version = GetAddOnMetadata("MyAddon", "Version")

-- ✅ CORRECT:
local version = C_AddOns.GetAddOnMetadata("MyAddon", "Version")

-- ❌ WRONG (steals keyboard focus forever):
local editBox = CreateFrame("EditBox", nil, UIParent, "InputBoxTemplate")
editBox:SetSize(200, 30)
editBox:SetPoint("CENTER")
-- No OnEscapePressed handler = player can't type in chat!

-- ✅ CORRECT:
local editBox = CreateFrame("EditBox", nil, UIParent, "InputBoxTemplate")
editBox:SetSize(200, 30)
editBox:SetPoint("CENTER")
editBox:SetAutoFocus(false)  -- Don't steal focus on show
editBox:SetScript("OnEscapePressed", function(self)
    self:ClearFocus()
end)
editBox:SetScript("OnEnterPressed", function(self)
    local text = self:GetText()
    -- process text
    self:ClearFocus()
end)

-- ❌ WRONG (returns true even if parent is hidden):
if frame:IsShown() then
    -- Frame might NOT be visible if parent is hidden!
end

-- ✅ CORRECT (checks full visibility chain):
if frame:IsVisible() then
    -- Frame is truly visible on screen
end

-- ❌ WRONG:
SendChatMessage("addon:data:here", "PARTY")  -- Sends visible chat!

-- ✅ CORRECT:
C_ChatInfo.RegisterAddonMessagePrefix("MyAddon")
C_ChatInfo.SendAddonMessage("MyAddon", "data:here", "PARTY")
-- Invisible to players, received via CHAT_MSG_ADDON event

-- ❌ WRONG:
local tex = frame:CreateTexture(nil, "ARTWORK")
tex:SetScript("OnEvent", handler)  -- ERROR: textures can't have scripts

-- ✅ CORRECT:
-- Only Frame objects (and descendants) can register events and scripts.
-- Use the parent frame for event handling.
frame:RegisterEvent("PLAYER_LOGIN")
frame:SetScript("OnEvent", handler)

-- ❌ WRONG (runs 60-240+ times per second):
frame:SetScript("OnUpdate", function(self, elapsed)
    self.text:SetText(UnitHealth("player"))  -- Runs EVERY FRAME
end)

-- ✅ CORRECT (throttled):
local elapsed_total = 0
frame:SetScript("OnUpdate", function(self, elapsed)
    elapsed_total = elapsed_total + elapsed
    if elapsed_total >= 0.1 then  -- 10 times per second max
        elapsed_total = 0
        self.text:SetText(UnitHealth("player"))
    end
end)
-- Even better: use UNIT_HEALTH event instead of OnUpdate polling