pointer-example.php

<?php

/**
 * Plugin Name:       WordPress admin pointer example
 * Plugin URI:        http://alexgeorgiou.gr/wordpress-admin-pointers-for-dummies/
 * Description:       Showcasing how to create an admin pointer. Points to the settings menu.
 * Version:           1.0
 * Requires at least: 3.3
 * Author:            Alexandros Georgiou <alexgeorgiou@gmail.com>
 * Author URI:        https://alexgeorgiou.gr
 * License:           GPLv2 or later
 * License URI:       https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html
 */

add_action(
    'in_admin_header',
    function() {
        wp_enqueue_script( 'jquery' );
        wp_enqueue_style( 'wp-pointer' );
        wp_enqueue_script( 'wp-pointer' );
    
		if (
			! get_user_meta(
				get_current_user_id(),
				'my-pointer-slug-dismissed',
				true
			)
		):
			
		?>
			<script>
			jQuery(
				function() {
					jQuery('#menu-dashboard').first().pointer( 
						{
							content:
								"<h3>WordPress dashboard<\/h3>" +
								"<h4>Here is the admin dashboard<\/h4>" +
								"<p>But, I'm guessing, you already knew this, didn't you?</p>" +
								"<p>If so, you can <strong>dismiss<\/strong> this pointer, and it won't ever bother you again.</p>",


							position:
								{
									edge:  'top',
									align: 'left'
								},

							pointerClass:
								'wp-pointer arrow-top',

							pointerWidth: 420,
							
							close: function() {
								jQuery.post(
									ajaxurl,
									{
										pointer: 'my-pointer-slug',
										action: 'dismiss-wp-pointer',
									}
								);
							},

						}
					).pointer('open');
				}
			);
			</script>

		<?php
		endif;
	}
);

add_action(
	'admin_init',
	function() {

		if ( isset( $_POST['action'] ) && 'dismiss-wp-pointer' == $_POST['action'] ) {

			update_user_meta(
				get_current_user_id(),
				'my-pointer-slug-dismissed',
				$_POST['pointer'],
				true
			);
		}
	}
);