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wp-database-collation-drift

Trace WordPress database collation drift

Traces WordPress collation and character set errors to the affected tables and columns, then proposes the narrowest checked change.

Open on GitHub(opens in a new tab)Read SKILL.md(opens in a new tab)
Area
WordPress
Checked against
WordPress 7.1.2, WP-CLI 2.12.0, MySQL 8.0 and 8.4, MariaDB 10.6 to 13.0
Last verified
29 September 2026
Files
SKILL.md, 8 references, 3 scripts

How it works

  1. 1Record WordPress, connection, server, table and column collation details.
  2. 2Read the error and identify collations, derivations and the failing operation.
  3. 3Find the query, caller, component, tables and columns involved.
  4. 4Map affected columns, indexes, keys, engine and row format.
  5. 5Explain how the collations drifted and choose the narrowest fix.
  6. 6Run checks and the approved change on staging first.
  7. 7Back up, change production, verify the failing flow and report.

Use it when

  • Trace collation or character set errors from WordPress logs.
  • Investigate emoji, accented text or CJK input failures.
  • Prepare a site move between MySQL and MariaDB.
  • Review a proposal to convert many tables for one error.

How it stays safe

  • Keeps investigation read-only until the owner approves each change.
  • Tests every ALTER on matching staging before production.
  • Checks unique keys, key lengths, foreign keys and row size before conversion.
  • Takes and tests a table backup before each production change.

Install it

Copy the whole wp-database-collation-drift folder into your agent's skills folder, not only SKILL.md.

git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/hamzaahmadaslam/agent-skills.git
cp -R agent-skills/wp-database-collation-drift "<your agent's skills folder>/"

More skills in the collection

All 16 skills