Orphans

The Orphans plugin automatically improves the typography of your WordPress site by preventing single-letter or very short words—known as orphans—from appearing alone at the beginning of a line. By replacing the space after these words with a non-breaking space, the plugin ensures cleaner, more professional-looking text layouts, especially for languages like Polish where such typographic rules are important. What are Orphans? An orphan in typography is a short word (often a single character) left isolated at the beginning of a line, separated from the rest of the sentence. This is considered a composition error and can negatively affect readability and the visual appeal of your content. Key Features

• Automatic Orphan Fixing: Scans your content and replaces spaces after short words (orphans) with non-breaking spaces, preventing them from being separated by line breaks.
• Customizable: Easily modify which words are treated as orphans using filters, or provide your own list of orphan terms.
• Non-Destructive: The plugin does not alter your original content in the database; changes are applied only when content is displayed.
• Builder and Plugin Integration: Seamless compatibility with popular page builders like Bricks, Divi, Muffin (beTheme), WPBakery, and Advanced Custom Fields.
• Flexible Usage: Apply orphan fixes to custom fields or any string using provided filters.

How It Works Once activated, Orphans automatically processes your posts, pages, and other content post types, fixing orphaned words on the fly. You can customize its behavior through the settings panel found under Appearance > Orphans, or extend functionality with WordPress filters for advanced use cases. Ideal For

• Bloggers, publishers, and editors seeking to maintain high typographic standards.
• Sites in languages (like Polish or Czech) where orphan control is a common publishing requirement.
• Anyone wanting to enhance the professional appearance and readability of their WordPress content.

Open Source & Developer Friendly Orphans is open source, actively maintained, and available on GitHub for those interested in contributing or extending its features. Asset image Manuscript by Muffet, on Flickr

There are 3 ways to install this plugin: The super easy way

1. Log in to your WordPress Admin panel.
2. Go to: Plugins > Add New.
3. Type ‘orphans’ into the Search Plugins field and hit Enter. Once found, you can view details such as the point release, rating and description.
4. Click Install Now. After clicking the link, you’ll be asked if you’re sure you want to install the plugin.
5. Click Yes, and WordPress completes the installation.
6. Activate the plugin.
7. A new menu Orphans in Appearance will appear in your Admin Menu.

The easy way

1. Download the plugin (.zip file) on the right column of this page.
2. In your Admin, go to the menu Plugins > Add.
3. Select the button Upload Plugin.
4. Upload the .zip file you just downloaded.
5. Activate the plugin.
6. A new menu Orphans in Appearance will appear in your Admin Menu.

The old and reliable way (FTP)

1. Upload sierotki folder to the /wp-content/plugins/ directory.
2. Activate the plugin through the 'Plugins' menu in WordPress.
3. A new menu Orphans in Appearance will appear in your Admin Menu.

3.4.5 - 2026-11-03

• Build system converted from Grunt to the Bun bundler (bun run build).
• Developer documentation moved from readme.txt to README.md - the WordPress.org readme is now end-user focused only.
• New bun run update-libs task to update the vendored iWorks libraries.
• Translation files regenerated with wp-cli (i18n make-pot / update-po).
• Security hardening: capability check (new iworks/orphans/capability filter, default manage_options) is now enforced for configuration import and export.
• Security hardening: imported option names are whitelisted to plugin options only - arbitrary options can no longer be overwritten.
• Security hardening: uploaded import file is fully validated before parsing.
• Security hardening: orphan terms are escaped with preg_quote() before building replacement patterns.
• Export file name is now properly quoted in the Content-Disposition header.
• Import/export admin scripts are loaded only on the Orphans settings screen.
• The iworks_orphans_capability filter, previously documented, is now actually applied - renamed to iworks/orphans/capability with the old name kept as a deprecated fallback.
• All iworks_orphan_* (and orphans_*) filters renamed to the namespaced iworks/orphans/... schema - legacy names still work as deprecated (3.6.0) fallbacks.
• Fixed release packaging: .git*, .gitmodules, .github/ and .editorconfig files are no longer included in the ZIPs.
• Fixed build: the https://github.com/iworks/sierotki placeholder replacement no longer corrupts the IWORKS_ORPHANS_PLUGIN_URL constant (a fatal error on activation).
• Empty banner-only sierotki-admin/sierotki-frontend JS and CSS bundles are no longer shipped.
• Plugin root, plugin basename and assets URL are now derived from the plugin constants instead of relative directory guessing.

3.4.4 - 2026-07-16

• Updated the iWorks Options module to version 3.1.1.
• Fixed issue in external simple_html_dom - missing global $debug_object. #21 Props for Marek Szymański.

3.4.3 - 2026-06-17

• Updated the iWorks Options module to version 3.1.0.
• Updated the iWorks Rate module to version 2.3.2.

3.4.2 - 2026-04-24

• Updated & enhaced build process.

3.4.1 - 2025-10-14

• Updated the iWorks Options module to version 3.0.8.

3.4.0 - 2025-08-27

• Resolved conflict arising from differing implementations of the acf/format_value filter in Advanced Custom Fields and Secure Custom Fields plugins.
• Refactored codebase by separating Secure Custom Fields integration into its own dedicated file.
• Refactored codebase by separating Advanced Custom Fields integration into its own dedicated file.

3.3.9 - 2025-08-23

• Integration with the Secure Custom Fields plugin has been added.
• Updated the iWorks Options module to version 3.0.7.
• Updated the iWorks Rate module to version 2.3.1.

3.3.8 - 2025-05-22

• Replaced logo.png by logo.svg.
• Updated the iWorks Options module to version 3.0.2.
• Updated the iWorks Rate module to version 2.3.0.

3.3.7 - 2025-05-15

• Enhanced PHPDoc documentation across the codebase for better maintainability.
• Improved code organization and added proper escaping for output security.
• Added constants for plugin paths and URLs to improve code reliability.
• Fixed URL escaping in admin interface for better security.
• Updated documentation with more detailed function descriptions and parameter information.
• Improved code comments and inline documentation for better developer experience.
• Updated the iWorks Options module to version 3.0.1.

3.3.6 - 2025-04-16

• Enhanced integration with the Bricks Builder (Bricks Theme). #16. Props for Cactoo.
• Removed replacements for translation functions within the admin interface.
• Updated the iWorks Options module to version 3.0.0.

3.3.5 - 2025-03-24

• The issue with the saving multiple option value has been resolved.

3.3.4 - 2025-03-24

• The issue with the saving options has been resolved. #14. Props for e-poka.

3.3.3 - 2025-03-11

• Added translation support to GitHub releases.
• Improved build process for better performance and efficiency.
• Updated the iWorks Options module to version 2.9.8.
• Updated the iWorks Rate module to version 2.2.3.
• Enhanced plugin update mechanism for smoother updates from GitHub releases.
• Added escaping functions in multiple areas for improved security.

3.3.2 - 2025-01-03

• Check for iworks_options object has been added. #12. Props for maciejsb.

3.3.1 - 2024-12-05

• Translation loading time has been fixed.

3.3.0 - 2024-12-02

• Updated the iWorks Rate module to version 2.2.1.
• The configuration import ability has been added. #10
• The configuration export ability has been added. #9
• Translation loading time has been fixed.

3.2.9 - 2024-11-17

• Translation loading time has been fixed.

3.2.8 - 2024-08-21

• Updated the iWorks Options module to version 2.9.2.
• Updated the iWorks Rate module to version 2.2.0.

3.2.7 - 2024-02-21

• Integration with the Bricks builder (part of the Bricks Theme) has been added.
• Updated the iWorks Options module to version 2.9.1.
• Update the iWorks Rate module to version 2.1.7.

3.2.6 - 2023-12-27

• The iWorks Options module has been updated to version 2.9.0.
• The iWorks Rate module has been updated to version 2.1.6.

3.2.5 - 2023-11-30

• The post types selector has been refactored. Props for gierand.
• The iWorks Options module has been updated to version 2.8.9.
• The iWorks Rate module has been updated to version 2.1.4.
• The strip_tags() function has been replaced by the wp_strip_all_tags() function.
• The wp_remote_get() function has been replaced by the WP_Filesystem_Direct class object.

3.2.4 - 2023-10-26

• Handling of multiple term files has been added.
• Handling short language codes has been added.
• The EN terms file has been added—only one-letter and some two-letter words from Wiktionary.
• Checking whether a data file has already been loaded to avoid multiple attempts to load it has been added.
• The term cache will be cleared after updating the WPLANG option.
• The iWorks Options module has been updated to version 2.8.7.
• The iWorks Rate module has been updated to version 2.1.3.
• The file terms-cs_CZ.txt has been renamed to terms-cs.txt.
• The file terms-pl_PL.txt has been renamed to terms-pl.txt.

3.2.3 - 2023-09-04

• The cache for orphans_indicator_options has been added. Props for Krystian Marcisz.
• The filter orphans_indicator_options_use_cache has been added to allow cache turn-off.

3.2.2 - 2023-07-12

• Data type check has been added. Props for LeoBullero.

3.2.1 - 2023-07-07

• Integration with the Divi builder (part of the Divi Theme) has been added.

3.2.0 - 2023-07-05

• Fixed missing replacements before and after any tag. Props for gierand.
• The ability to choose a preset language file has been added.
• The ability to use only your own defined terms has been added.
• The Czech rules have been added.

3.1.3 - 2023-06-27

• Integration with the Muffin builder (part of the beTheme) has been added. Props for waveman777.
• The iWorks Options module has been updated to version 2.8.5.
• The iWorks Rate module has been updated to version 2.1.2.

3.1.2 - 2023-03-10

• Tags pre and code have been added to protected tags.
• The issue with removing line ends has been fixed. Props for joannapl.

3.1.1 - 2023-03-07

• The order of protected tags has been changed to avoid a replacement issue. Props for Against The Odds.

3.1.0 - 2023-03-06

• Integration with the Polylang plugin has been added.
• Switched from simple replacement to DOMDocument parsing and string replacement.
• The ability to clear the terms cache when you enter the Orphans Settings Page has been added.
• The deprecated data conversion method has been corrected.
• The incorrect trim for the first letter "t" in own orphans has been corrected. Props for Michał Ruszczyk.
• The orphan_get_terms filter has been added. It allows you to get current terms.
• The orphan_replace_acf filter has been added. It allows you to turn off selected values in ACF fields.
• The orphan_replace_gettext filter has been added. It allows you to turn off selected values in gettext related functions.
• The translation function now includes the ability to replace text. The default setting is off.

3.0.5 - 2023-01-11

• The translation function now includes the ability to replace text. The default setting is off.

3.0.4 - 2022-11-20

• Handle space after year for short year format "r.". Props for Mastafu Design
• Added integration with "Goodlayers Core" on gdlr_core_escape_content filter.

3.0.3 - 2022-09-02

• Handle ACF integration if it is network activated plugin. Props for maczek6000.
• Changed iWorks Rate Module repository to GitHub.
• Updated iWorks Rate to 2.1.1.

3.0.2 - 2022-08-06

• Added integration with "WPBakery Page Builder" on vc_shortcode_output filter.

3.0.1 - 2022-07-18

• Added tag attributes replacement protection. Props for krzyc.

3.0.0 - 2022-04-21

• Added Transients API to avoid multiple read from terms.txt file.
• Removed unused method add_help_tab().

2.9.11 - 2022-04-05

• Updated iWorks Options to 2.8.3. (Fixed PHP 7.x compatibility).

2.9.10 - 2022-04-05

• Updated iWorks Options to 2.8.3.
• Updated iWorks Rate to 2.1.0.

2.9.9 - 2022-03-29

• Fixed missing filter usage for priority. Props for Adam Romanowski.

2.9.8 - 2022-02-05

• Improved checking is plugin "Advanced Custom Fields" - removed usage of class_exists function.
• Moved load_plugin_textdomain() function to allow load i18n even plugin is not active.

2.9.7 - 2022-02-05

• Improved checking is plugin "Advanced Custom Fields" to avoid multiple calling function class_exists. Props for Piotr.
• Remove duplicates from "terms to replace" list and sort this list.

2.9.6 - 2022-02-03

• Added check for missing second param in the_title filter. Props for Zbyszek Zalewski

2.9.5 - 2022-02-02

• Fixed missing replacements before and after any tag. Props for gierand.

2.9.4 - 2022-02-02

• Added ability to turn off replacements on menu title elements. New option is in "Miscellaneous" tab.
• Added orphan_allowed_filters to add ability to change allowed filters.
• Fixed issue with Font Awesome replacements. Props for lewleo999
• Improved replacement process to avoid change HTML tags params.

2.9.3 - 2022-01-20

• Removed doubled "Donate" link on plugin page.
• Updated iWorks Options to 2.8.0.

2.9.2 - 2022-01-19

• Updated iWorks Options to 2.7.3.
• Updated iWorks Rate to 2.0.6.

2.9.1 - 2021-12-09

• Added integration with "Advanced Custom Fields" for fields types: "text", "textarea", "WYSIWYG". Props for Kamil Lipiński for the tests.

2.9.0 - 2021-12-09

• Added filter iworks_orphan_own_terms_file to add ability to change whole terms definition file.
• Moved terms into etc/terms.txt.
• Renamed file includes/iworks/orphan.php into includes/iworks/class-iworks-orphan.php.
• Updated orphans list, based on Sierotka (typografia)

2.8.2 - 2021-12-03

• Fixed problem with option "Keep numbers together" - it changed inline CSS too. Props for gierand.

2.8.1 - 2021-11-26

• Added a widget blocks content to replacements.
• Added filter iworks_orphan_terms (old one has a typo iworks_orphan_therms - but old one stays too).
• Improved filtering defaults orphans - now it is filtered when we get it, not only on init.

2.8.0 - 2021-08-31

• Fixed conflict with some plugins. Props for Adam Gruntkowski.
• Updated iWorks Rate to 2.0.4.
• Updated WordPress Options Class to version 2.7.1.

2.7.9 - 2021-06-23

• Renamed directory vendor into includes.
• Updated iWorks Rate to 2.0.1.

2.7.8 - 2021-01-13

• Added orphan_replace filter to add ability to force replacements on any string.
• Turned off content filters for admin area - it could mess with another plugins. Props for Zbyszek Zalewski.

2.7.7 - 2020-06-20

• Added orphan_skip_replacement filter to force skip replacements. Check FAQ to know how to use it.

2.7.6 - 2020-06-08

• Turned off replacements in feeds.
• Turned off replacements in REST API.

2.7.5 - 2019-11-12

• Fixed default values configuration.
• Handled quotation mark before orphan.
• Moved orphan's filters at the end of run, to try to avoid different plugins replacements.
• Split replacement rules to avoid problem with regular expression is too large.
• Updated WordPress Options Class to version 2.6.8

2.7.4 - 2018-03-16

• Fixed problem with too greedy number replacement.

2.7.3 - 2018-03-15

• Fixed problem with $post object. Props for adpawl
• Fixed space after a number, but before a word. Props for M. Hawranek.
• Fixed too early translation load, it causes sometimes missing translation.
• Updated WordPress Options Class to version 2.6.5.

2.7.2 - 2018-02-13

• Added html entities handling.
• Added WooCommerce short description, which use they own filter.
• Fixed problem with orphan directly after orphan.
• Refactored input data.
• Updated WordPress Options Class to version 2.6.4.

2.7.1 - 2017-12-22

• Fixed a problem with array handling, when document contains scripts or styles.

2.7.0 - 2017-06-29

• Added custom fields - now you can easily add custom field name to the configuration.
• Added words: 'albo', 'bez', 'czy', 'lecz', 'nie', 'niech', 'przez', 'tak', 'tylko', 'więc' base on Sierotka

2.6.9 - 2017-05-24

• Fixed a problem with class declaration. Props for gierand

2.6.8 - 2017-05-23

• Added author description to replacements.
• Added a taxonomies title and description to replacements.
• Fixed a problem with preg_replace() "Compilation failed: range out of order".
• Use WordPress Options Class to handle new options screen.

2.6.7 - 2017-05-09

• Allow to apply replacement to all languages by using filter `iworks_orphan_apply_to_all_languages' set on true.
• Fixed rate module.

2.6.6.1 - 2017-04-30

• Fixed wrong regexp replacement.

2.6.6 - 2017-04-30

• Avoid to replace "script" and "styles" content. Props for m1nified
• Added a widget title to replacements.
• Added a widget text to replacements (it work only for the widget text).

2.6.5 - 2016-11-01

• Rollback to 2.6.3, because 2.6.4 broke images.

2.6.4 - 2016-11-01

• Added symbols, like FX-10, F-800, F-600-K3-Z. "-" is replaced by ‑ char. Props for Marcin

2.6.3 - 2016-10-25

• Implement WP syntax rules for PHP files.
• Added "Call for ratings" on settings page.

2.6.2 - 2016-02-27

• Fixed a problem with ignored option for numbers. Props for Kacper
• Added check site or entry language to avoid replacing if language is other then Polish. It is one exception: numbers.

2.6.1 - 2016-01-11

• Fixed a problem with non-breakable space. Replace space after number to space between numbers.

2.6 - 2016-01-09

• Change language domain from iworks_orphan to plugin name `sierotki' to be compatible with i18n WordPress rules.
• Added activate plugin hook to change options autoload status.
• Added deactivate plugin hook to change options autoload status.
• Added filter iworks_orphans_capability, Props for Cezary Buliszak.
• Added non-breakable space after numbers.
• Added uninstall plugin hook.
• Update screenshots.

2.5 - 2015-11-06

• IMPROVEMENT: added filter iworks_orphan_replace

2.4 - 2015-02-12

• Added hard space between number (year) and polish year shortcut "r."
• Added WooCommerce product title and short description to available options. Props for Dominik Kawula

2.3.2 - 2014-09-12

• Fixed error in options array

2.3.1 - 2014-09-12

• Checked option array for non existing hash.
• Updated screenshots.

2.3 - 2014-07-10

• IMPROVEMENT: added all forms of word number

2.2 - 2014-01-24

• IMPROVEMENT:added links to forum
• IMPROVEMENT:checked capability with WP 3.8

2.1 - 2013-11-09

• IMPROVEMENT:checked capability with WP 3.6
• REFACTORING: implement PSR-0 rules to orphan class

2.0.2 - 2013-08-20

• BUGFIX: fixed replacement for single letter orphan after orphan. Props for Szymon Skulimowski
• IMPROVEMENT:checked capability with WP 3.6
• IMPROVEMENT:added help and related section

2.0.1 - 2013-07-10

• IMPROVEMENT:added numbers

2.0 - 2012-08-12

• BUGFIX: fixed permissions to configuration page
• BUGFIX: fixed replacement for strings starting with a orphan
• REFACTORING: rewrite code to the class
• IMPROVEMENT:added some shorts of academic degree
• IMPROVEMENT:massive increase orphans dictionary. Props for adpawl

1.4.2 - 2012-03-02

• NEW: added the_title filter.

1.4.1 - 2011-02-24

• NEW: Trim chars.
• BUGFIX: Fixed multi coma use.

1.4 - 2011-02-24

• NEW: Added user defined orphans.
• BUGFIX: Corrected capability name.

1.3 - 2011-02-19

• NEW: Added option page to turn on/off filtering in content, excerpt or comments.
• NEW: Added "(" as char before a orphan.

1.2 - 2011-02-18

• NEW: Added filter comment_text.
• BUGFIX: Capital letters was missing by plugin.

1.1 - 2011-02-17

• Abandoning elegant anonymous function, which requires PHP 5.3.0 :(
• NEW: Added filter to the_excerpt.

1.0.2 - 2011-02-17

• NEW: Added ">" as char before a orphan.

1.0.1 - 2011-02-16

• NEW: Added word "to".

1.0 - 2011-02-16

• INIT