[wp-trac] [WordPress Trac] #63388: Add optional breadcrumb navigation to WordPress admin area

[WordPress Trac]

#63388: Add optional breadcrumb navigation to WordPress admin area
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 Reporter:  samahjoob12     |      Owner:  (none)
     Type:  enhancement     |     Status:  new
 Priority:  normal          |  Milestone:  Awaiting Review
Component:  General         |    Version:
 Severity:  major           |   Keywords:
  Focuses:  administration  |
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 The WordPress admin interface lacks a built-in breadcrumb navigation
 system. As the admin menu grows more complex with nested pages (especially
 from plugins and themes), it's increasingly easy for users to lose track
 of their location or struggle to navigate back efficiently.

 This proposal introduces a lightweight, optional breadcrumb trail
 displayed at the top of admin pages — just beneath the admin bar and above
 the page title.

 Example Display:

 For the Permalinks settings page, the breadcrumb could look like:


 **Dashboard > Settings > Permalinks
 **
 Each segment would be a clickable link, except the last item which
 reflects the current page.

 Behavior:

 Breadcrumbs are generated dynamically based on the admin menu hierarchy
 ($menu, $submenu) and current screen.

 Default is enabled for all users.

 Optional toggle under Users → Profile to disable breadcrumbs for
 individual users.

 Developers can filter or modify breadcrumbs using a new filter:
 admin_breadcrumbs.

 Benefits:

 Improved UX, especially for users navigating unfamiliar admin screens
 (e.g., plugin settings).

 Helps users understand admin page hierarchy and find their way back
 quickly.

 Promotes consistency and predictability in admin navigation.

 Why it belongs in Core:

 No current core support for admin breadcrumbs.

 Plugins often reimplement their own breadcrumbs inconsistently.

 This is a small, self-contained improvement that significantly improves
 admin usability with minimal overhead.

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Ticket URL: <https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/63388>
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