This guide provides practical examples for different user types.
For Developers
Debugging Plugin Conflicts
Enable WP_DEBUG and WP_DEBUG_LOG to start capturing errors. Reproduce the conflict scenario and check logs for Fatal Errors or Database Errors.
Tracking Deprecation Warnings
Filter logs by “Deprecated” error type to identify outdated functions. Use SearchBuilder to find specific deprecated calls in your codebase.
Monitoring Database Query Errors
Filter by “Database Error” type to check for slow queries or connection issues. Optimize problematic database operations based on the error details.
Identifying Performance Bottlenecks
Look for repeated Warning entries and check stack traces for time-consuming functions. Use the datetime filter to correlate with slow page loads.
Using Stack Traces Effectively
Click on a log entry to expand the stack trace. Follow the call hierarchy from bottom (origin) to top (error). Identify which function or plugin triggered the issue.
For Site Administrators
Monitoring Site Health
Set up daily alerts for Fatal Errors and Database Errors. Review logs weekly for recurring issues. Use the relative time format to spot recent problems.
Identifying Problematic Plugins/Themes
Filter logs by file path to find plugin-specific errors. Check for errors originating from /wp-content/plugins/. Deactivate suspicious plugins and monitor for improvements.
Setting Up Preventive Maintenance Alerts
Configure alerts for Warning or Fatal-level errors. Set frequency to “Twice Daily” for active monitoring. Add your maintenance team’s email addresses.
Regular Log File Cleanup
Schedule automatic cleanup to run daily. Set maximum log size to 5MB for optimal performance. Keep the last 10% of logs for historical reference.
Security Monitoring
Filter logs by “Parse Error” to catch syntax issues. Monitor for unusual file access patterns. Set up alerts for errors in security-sensitive plugins.
For Agencies
Managing Multiple Client Sites
Use the same alert configuration across all client sites. Standardize error level monitoring (Fatal + Database Errors). Document each site’s typical error patterns.
Standardized Monitoring Setup
Create a checklist for new client onboarding:
- Enable debug logging
- Configure alerts with agency email
- Set cleanup schedule
Client Site Email Alerts Configuration
Add client contact emails as recipients (Pro). Set appropriate alert frequency based on site activity. Document alert configurations for each client.
Automated Log Maintenance Strategies
Implement cleanup schedules based on site traffic:
- High-traffic: Every 6 hours
- Medium-traffic: Twice daily
- Low-traffic: Daily
Reporting and Documentation
Export logs monthly for client reports (Pro). Use CSV exports to create error trend charts. Document recurring issues and resolutions.
For technical reference, see the Technical Reference guide.
