How do I add a simple jQuery script to WordPress?

I know what you mean about the tutorials. Here’s how I do it:

First you need to write your script. In your theme folder create a folder called something like ‘js’. Create a file in that folder for your javascript. E.g. your-script.js. Add your jQuery script to that file (you don’t need <script> tags in a .js file).

Here is an example of how your jQuery script (in wp-content/themes/your-theme/js/your-scrript.js) might look:

jQuery(document).ready(function($) {
  $('#nav a').last().addClass('last');
})

Notice that I use jQuery and not $ at the start of the function.

Ok, now open your theme’s functions.php file. You’ll want to use the wp_enqueue_script() function so that you can add your script whilst also telling WordPress that it relies on jQuery. Here’s how to do that:

add_action( 'wp_enqueue_scripts', 'add_my_script' );
function add_my_script() {
    wp_enqueue_script(
        'your-script', // name your script so that you can attach other scripts and de-register, etc.
        get_template_directory_uri() . '/js/your-script.js', // this is the location of your script file
        array('jquery') // this array lists the scripts upon which your script depends
    );
}

Assuming that your theme has wp_head and wp_footer in the right places, this should work. Let me know if you need any more help.

WordPress questions can be asked over at WordPress Answers.