This guide covers the installation methods and initial setup of the Debug Log Viewer plugin.

Installation Methods

Installing from WordPress Plugin Directory

1. Navigate to Plugins → Add New in your WordPress admin
2. Search for “Debug Log Viewer”
3. Click Install Now
4. After installation, click Activate Plugin

Manual Installation

1. Download the plugin zip file from WordPress.org or the official site
2. Upload via Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin
3. Alternatively, upload the plugin folder to /wp-content/plugins/ via FTP or File Manager
4. Activate through Plugins → Installed Plugins

First-Time Setup

Plugin Activation Process

• After activation, you can go to the to the plugin dashboard
• A welcome screen appears with setup instructions

Initial Configuration

1. The plugin automatically detects your current debug settings
2. Recommended: Enable WP_DEBUG and WP_DEBUG_LOG if not already active
3. Configure your preferred update mode (Manual or Auto) in Settings tab

Understanding the Demo Log Entry

• The plugin may insert a demo entry to verify functionality
• This appears as a “Notice” type log with timestamp and description

Next Steps

After setup, proceed to the User Interface Guide for navigation instructions.

This guide explains the layout and navigation of the Debug Log Viewer interface.

The main dashboard provides a centralized view of your debug logs with the following elements:

• Header section: Plugin title, version info, and navigation controls
• Free vs Pro plan badges: Visual indicators for available features
• Upgrade indicators: Links to premium features when applicable

Tab Navigation

Log View (Primary Feature)

• Displays the debug log table with all entries
• Includes search, filter, and sorting controls

Settings Tab

• Configure update modes, datetime formats, and timezone settings
• Manage log file preferences

Alerts Tab

• Set up email notifications for critical errors
• Configure recipients and alert frequencies

Cleanup (Pro)

• Access to automatic log file management tools
• Scheduled cleanup configuration

Interface Elements

Container Layout

• Responsive design that adapts to screen size
• Clean, organized sections for easy navigation

Toast Notifications

• Brief pop-up messages for actions like updates or errors
• Auto-dismiss after a few seconds

Modal Dialogs

• Used for confirmation prompts (e.g., clearing logs)
• Overlay with focused content and action buttons

Navigation Tips

• Use the tab system to switch between features
• Hover over elements for tooltips and additional info
• Check the status bar for current log file details

For detailed feature usage, see the Core Features – Log View Tab guide.