Trailing Slash Issue in Category Pagination URLs with the_posts_pagination()

[hmbashar]

Hello,

I've checked a few themes that use the the_posts_pagination() function for pagination, and I think this function has a small issue. Although it’s not a major problem, it should still be addressed. If I remove the extra/trailing slash (/) at the end of the URL from the permalink structure (like /%%postname%% instead of /%%postname%%/), it works perfectly for all category pages except the first page.

For example, if I have a category slug "uncategorized", the pagination for this category archive page works as follows:

• ​https://wpdevelop.test/category/uncategorized/page/2
• ​https://wpdevelop.test/category/uncategorized/page/3
• ​https://wpdevelop.test/category/uncategorized/page/4

However, if I hover over any other number in the pagination, it shows without the trailing slash (/). Check this screenshot: ​https://prnt.sc/GICqVaCdAD8e. But if I hover over page number 1, it shows with a trailing slash, like this: ​https://wpdevelop.test/category/uncategorized/. Check this screenshot: ​https://prnt.sc/n-eNn-P_Zr5x. After clicking on page number 1, it redirects to the URL without the slash: ​https://wpdevelop.test/category/uncategorized.

So, I think if it redirects to remove the slash, the URL should also remove the slash when hovering over page number 1.

I've checked several themes with this behavior:

• Twenty Fifteen Version: 3.7
• Twenty Fourteen Version: 3.9
• Twenty Nineteen Version: 2.8
• Twenty Seventeen Version: 3.6
• Twenty Sixteen Version: 3.2
• Twenty Twenty Version: 2.6
• Twenty Twenty-One Version: 2.2
• Twenty Twenty-Two Version: 1.7
• Astra Version: 4.7.0

How to Check the Issue:

1. Activate any of the themes mentioned above.
2. Add categories.
3. Add a few posts with those categories to enable pagination.
4. Set permalinks with a custom structure (/%%postname%%), ensuring you don’t include a slash at the end.
5. Visit your category archive, e.g., ​https://wpdevelop.test/category/uncategorized.
6. Click pagination numbers and check the URLs.

Check the screenshots for reference:

• ​First screenshot
• ​Hover screenshot
• ​Page 1 hover screenshot

Thank you!

[hmbashar]

I've added a video you may watch this from here for you can download from the attachment ​https://www.berrycast.com/conversations/88000375-7f49-574e-9ba0-e338ffc63702

[huzaifaalmesbah]

Thank you @hmbashar for pointing out this valid issue. I have been able to reproduce it.

In my tests with the default WordPress theme, as well as popular themes like Astra, GeneratePress, and Neve, I observed that they all encounter the same trailing slash issue when using the the_posts_pagination() function.

[rejaulalomkhan]

Yes, You are right @hmbashar.
Solution need.
Patch need.

[mai21]

@hmbashar thanks for reporting the issue.

Reproduction Report

Description

This report validates that the issue can be reproduced.

Steps

As mentioned on the main ticket

Environment

• WordPress: 6.6-beta2-58396
• PHP: 8.3.6
• Server: nginx/1.24.0
• Database: mysqli (Server: 10.5.24-MariaDB-1:10.5.24+maria~ubu2004-log / Client: mysqlnd 8.3.6)
• Browser: Chrome 125.0.0.0
• OS: Linux
• Theme: Twenty Twenty 2.6
• MU Plugins: None activated
• Plugins:
  • Test Reports 1.1.0
  • WordPress Beta Tester 3.5.5

Actual Results

🐞 Error condition occurs. Hovering the 1st-page link will have /, however, when clicked it opens the link without / (reproduced).

Expected Result

✅ Hovering any page (1st or nth) link shall match permalinks either it was with/without trailing slash

[rahulsprajapati]

Use user_trailingslashit to fix trailing slash issue in pagination permalink.

[rahulsprajapati]

Test GIF: When removed trailingslash from permalink structure it uses all link without trailslash.

[rahulsprajapati]

Test GIF: When using trailingslash in permalink structure it uses all link with trailslash.

[rahulsprajapati]

Added patch & gifs for test permalink with and without trailingslash in pagination links.

[huzaifaalmesbah]

I test 61393.diff​ Working and looks good for me.

[huzaifaalmesbah]

according to the ticket status, I added two keywords has-testing-info and needs-testing

[hmbashar]

I've tested the patch 61393.diff​, and it's working for me. The issue has been resolved.

[hmbashar]

Hello @rahulsprajapati,

I've tested your patch, and while it is working fine, I have noticed another issue. Perhaps your patch could address this as well. I checked several themes like Astra, Twenty Fifteen, Twenty Fourteen, and more. I observed that themes with the "Newest Post" and "Older Post" navigation feature have a trailing slash for the newest posts (see screenshot). However, other themes with the same features, such as Twenty Eleven and Twenty Ten, do not show a trailing slash with the newest posts (see screenshots).

Twenty Fourteen: ​https://prnt.sc/NrC_xTz4b63X
Astra: ​https://prnt.sc/i2H72Q6XLBjc
Twenty Fifteen: ​https://prnt.sc/bawBT2J-IhM7

Twenty Ten: ​https://prnt.sc/lTizkhfzP-Uz
Twenty Eleven: ​https://prnt.sc/iv169bWJkQSz

[rahulsprajapati]

Use user_trailingslashit to fix trailing slash issue in pagination permalink including "Newest Post" and "Older Post" links.

[rahulsprajapati]

Hello @hmbashar,

Thank you for testing this and for the feedback. I just uploaded another patch with the next and prev link fix. Let me know if you see any issue with this.

[hmbashar]

Perfect with the patch "61393-1.diff, I think now everything's is fine.

[joedolson]

I don't see anything about this that impacts accessibility; removing the focus.