WP_User::add_cap() │ public │ WP 2.0.0

Adds or removes the right (ability) for the specified user.

The change of right is recorded in the database. Therefore, this function should be called only once, during the activation/deactivation of the plugin or theme.

This is a class method: WP_User{}

Use WP_Roles::add_cap() to add/remove the right entirely for a WordPress role.

Method of the class: WP_User{}

No Hooks.

Returns

null. Nothing.

Usage

$WP_User = new WP_User();
$WP_User->add_cap( $cap, $grant );
$cap(string) (required)
The name of the capability. The default capabilities table see here.
$grant(true/false)
Allow this capability (true) or conversely deny it (false).
Default: true

Examples

#1 Add a new feature to an individual user

Let's allow the user 20 to edit posts.

$user = new WP_User( 20 );
$user->add_cap( 'can_edit_posts' );

Changelog

Since 2.0.0 Introduced.

WP_User::add_cap() code WP 7.1.2

wp-includes/class-wp-user.php 
public function add_cap( $cap, $grant = true ) {
	$this->caps[ $cap ] = $grant;
	update_user_meta( $this->ID, $this->cap_key, $this->caps );
	$this->get_role_caps();
	$this->update_user_level_from_caps();
}

Roles capabilities

Roles and Capabilities