+ /**
+ * Filters the posts array before the query takes place.
+ *
+ * Return a non-null value to bypass WordPress's default post queries.
+ *
+ * Filtering functions that require pagination information are encouraged to set
+ * the `found_posts` and `max_num_pages` properties of the WP_Query object,
+ * passed to the filter by reference. If WP_Query does not perform a database
+ * query, it will not have enough information to generate these values itself.
+ *
+ * @since 4.6.0
+ *
+ * @param array|null $posts Return an array of post data to short-circuit WP's query,
+ * or null to allow WP to run its normal queries.
+ * @param WP_Query $this The WP_Query instance, passed by reference.
+ */
+ $this->posts = apply_filters_ref_array( 'posts_pre_query', array( null, &$this ) );
+