Debugger & Troubleshooter

The “Debugger & Troubleshooter” plugin provides essential tools for WordPress site administrators to diagnose and resolve issues efficiently. It offers a dedicated section in the WordPress dashboard that displays comprehensive site health information and powerful debugging toggles.

Key Features:

• Troubleshooting Mode: Activate a unique, session-based “Troubleshooting Mode” for your current browser session. This means any changes you make are temporary and only visible to you. This mode allows you to:
  • Simulate Plugin Deactivation: Selectively “deactivate” plugins. The plugin’s assets and code will be disabled for your session only.
  • Simulate Theme Switching: Preview any installed theme, while the public-facing site continues to use the active theme.
• User Role Simulator: View your site as any other user or role (e.g., Subscriber, Editor) to test permissions and content visibility. This is session-based and includes a safe “Exit” button in the Admin Bar.
• Live Debugging: Safely enable WP_DEBUG with a single click from the admin dashboard. Errors are logged to debug.log without being displayed on the site, and you can view the log file directly in the plugin’s interface.
• Comprehensive Site Information: Get a quick, organized overview of your WordPress environment in collapsible cards. This includes detailed PHP, Database, and Server information, a full list of all themes and plugins with their status, and important WordPress constants.
• Copy to Clipboard: A one-click button allows you to copy all the site information, making it incredibly easy to share with support forums or developers.
• Safe Debugging & Cache Bypassing: All troubleshooting actions are session-based. The plugin automatically attempts to bypass caching when Troubleshooting Mode is active, ensuring your changes are reflected instantly.
• User-Friendly Interface: An intuitive dashboard interface makes it easy to access all features.
• Admin Notices: Clear notices alert you when Troubleshooting Mode is active.

This plugin is an invaluable tool for developers, site administrators, and anyone who needs to debug WordPress issues without risking site downtime or affecting user experience.

Usage

Once the plugin is installed and activated, navigate to Tools > Debugger & Troubleshooter in your WordPress dashboard.

1. Site Information

The top section provides a comprehensive overview of your WordPress environment, organized into collapsible cards that are closed by default. Click on any card title to expand it and view the details.

2. Troubleshooting Mode

This session-based feature allows you to simulate theme switches and plugin deactivations without affecting your live website for other visitors.

3. User Role Simulator

Safely view your site as another user or role (e.g., “Subscriber” or “Editor”) without knowing their password. This is perfect for testing capabilities and content restrictions.

4. Live Debugging

This section allows you to safely manage WordPress’s debugging features.

• Enable Live Debug: Click this button to programmatically enable WP_DEBUG and WP_DEBUG_LOG, while keeping WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY off. This logs errors to wp-content/debug.log without showing them to visitors.
• Debug Log Viewer: A text area displays the contents of your debug.log file, allowing you to see errors as they are generated.
• Clear Log: Safely clear the debug.log file with a click.