WordPress.org

Author: Shelly Cole

Basically, I wanted to have my comment replies hidden, and have them expand only when I clicked (what's used in this case) a div, using jQuery. So top-level comments are down, but of the comment has children (i.e. has any replies to that specific comment) they would be "folded shut". When you click the "link", they expand using jQuery easing.

Yes, I am aware this is possible by using the default OL/LI listing (since the necessary class is provided), however, I'm anal-retentive when it comes to validation. My comments were using a custom display that required some interesting styling - and for something else I was using, I had to use the Strict doctype for my site - the end result was Quirks mode, making my site invalid and the other function I needed to cease working.

This solved the problems. Now I have valid code (using a strict doctype) and I have all of my "cool stuff" working as it should.

Features

This keeps most of the default wp_list_comments features. The only difference is that the child comments will have the added "<div class='children'>" added to it (ol and ul already have this class by default), but also have the div that provides the action to expand the replies.

Otherwise, you can use anything you would normally use with wp_list_comments - callbeack features, everything - it's all there, so you can re-style however you like.

This also works with pagination and level depths - if you set "3 comments per page" then 3 top-level comments will show and all replaies will display under it. if you have your depth level set to 5, then each level will have it's own show/hide link.