WP No Base Permalink

What is WP No Base Permalink?

WP No Base Permalink is a focused utility plugin that strips the “category” and “tag” base slugs from your WordPress permalinks. Developed by Sergio and first released 13 years ago, it has quietly built a dedicated following. The plugin currently shows 10K+ active installs and holds a 4.1/5 rating from 16 reviews. Its longevity speaks to a consistent demand for cleaner URL structures, even as WordPress has evolved.

The plugin’s rating profile is telling: 69% of reviewers gave it a perfect score, while 13% awarded one star. This split suggests it works flawlessly for many users but can cause friction in specific setups. It was last updated on May 6, 2020, so newcomers should verify compatibility with their current WordPress version before installing.

Key Features of WP No Base Permalink

• Remove Category Base – Eliminates the “/category/” prefix from your category permalinks, making URLs shorter and cleaner.
• Remove Tag Base – Strips the “/tag/” slug from tag permalinks, giving you direct access to tag archives.
• Remove Parent Categories – Flattens hierarchical category URLs by removing parent category segments from the permalink structure.
• Independent Toggle Controls – Each of the three options (category base, tag base, parent categories) can be enabled or disabled separately via the settings page.
• Automatic Rewrite Rule Generation – The plugin creates its own rewrite rules for each active option, so your site continues routing traffic correctly.
• WPML Compatibility – Works with the WPML multilingual plugin, allowing clean permalinks across translated content.
• Multisite Support – Functions on WordPress Multisite networks without additional configuration.
• Lightweight Codebase – Version 1.0 is a single-purpose tool with minimal overhead, adding no unnecessary bloat to your site.

Who Should Use WP No Base Permalink?

This plugin is ideal for site owners who prioritize short, human-readable URLs and are comfortable with basic permalink management. Bloggers, news sites, and content-heavy installations benefit most from removing category and tag bases. If you run a site where “/category/tech/” looks clunky and “/tech/” feels more natural, this tool delivers exactly that. With 10K+ installs, it serves a niche but committed audience.

Beginners can use it, but a working knowledge of WordPress permalinks helps. You should understand slug conflicts and how to regenerate rewrite rules. The plugin is not for those who need visual drag-and-drop builders or advanced redirect management. It is a straightforward, no-frills solution for a single task: cleaning up URL bases.

Installation & Setup

Upload the wp-no-base-permalink folder to /wp-content/plugins/ and activate it through the Plugins menu. After activation, visit Settings > Permalinks to see the new options for removing category base, tag base, and parent categories. The plugin is beginner-friendly: there are no wizards or complex configuration steps. Just toggle the features you want and save your permalink structure.

Support & Community

The plugin’s support forum shows open threads over the last two months. With 69% of ratings being five stars, most users find it works reliably out of the box. The 13% one-star ratings likely stem from the known slug conflict issue documented in the FAQ: if a post or page shares a slug with a category or tag, the category/tag takes priority.

For troubleshooting, the FAQ provides clear guidance on resolving persistent rewrite rules after uninstalling the plugin. Simply disable the plugin and re-save your permalink settings. Given the plugin’s age and the developer’s long history, the community relies on documented solutions rather than active forum support threads.