Install on WordPress
Install on WordPress
Requirements
| Requirement | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress | 6.4 | 6.x latest |
| PHP | 8.2 | 8.3 |
| MySQL / MariaDB | 8.0 / 10.6 | 8.0+ / 10.11+ |
| PHP extensions | openssl, json, pdo_mysql, mbstring | — |
| HTTPS | Required | — |
| Disk space | ~2 MB (code) + DB tables | — |
Download
You receive a download link after purchase. The archive is:
wp-ai-assistant-1.0.0.zip (~91 KB)
Installation steps
1. Upload the plugin
- Log in to your WordPress admin (
/wp-admin). - Navigate to Plugins → Add New.
- Click Upload Plugin.
- Click Choose File, select
wp-ai-assistant-1.0.0.zip, then click Install Now. - After installation click Activate Plugin.
WordPress runs the activation hook which:
- Creates all 15 database tables using
dbDelta(). - Registers 19 custom capabilities (e.g.,
wpai_use_chatbot,wpai_manage_scheduler). - Seeds 5 default AI personalities in the database.
- Registers 3 WP-Cron events (
wpai_run_due_jobs,wpai_provider_health,wpai_cleanup_old_data).
2. Configure at least one AI provider
- In the WP admin sidebar, click JoomlaAI → Settings (or AI Assistant → Settings).
- Enter your API key for at least one provider.
- Select the Default Provider and Default Model.
- Click Save Settings.
See Provider configuration for all six providers.
3. Assign capabilities to roles
Out of the box the administrator role has all 19 capabilities. Other roles have none.
- Go to JoomlaAI → AI Roles.
- For each WordPress role (Editor, Author, etc.), check the capabilities you want to grant.
- Click Save Roles.
4. Verify WP-Cron is running
WP-Cron is triggered by page loads. For production sites with WP-Cron disabled in wp-config.php, add a real cron job:
* * * * * php /path/to/wordpress/wp-cron.php >/dev/null 2>&1
Or if WP-CLI is installed:
* * * * * wp --path=/path/to/wordpress cron event run --due-now >/dev/null 2>&1
First-time setup checklist
- Plugin activated without errors
- At least one provider API key entered
- Default provider + model chosen
- Capabilities assigned to roles
- WP-Cron verified (or real cron configured)
- Dashboard loads without errors
- Health Check (JoomlaAI → Health Check) shows no critical issues
REST API
The plugin exposes a REST API at:
POST /wp-json/wpai/v1/chat
GET /wp-json/wpai/v1/personalities
Authentication uses WordPress nonces (X-WP-Nonce header). See REST API reference.
Updating
- Download the new
wp-ai-assistant-X.Y.Z.zip. - Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin → upload the new zip → Replace current with uploaded.
- Activation hooks are skipped on update; database migrations run on
plugins_loadedwhen the DB version differs.
Deactivating vs. uninstalling
- Deactivate — plugin is disabled but all data and tables are preserved.
- Delete — triggers
uninstall.phpwhich drops all 15 tables and removes all 19 capabilities from every role.
⚠️ Deleting the plugin is irreversible. Export your data (Settings → Export) before deleting if you want to keep it.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Chat returns 401 | Invalid/missing API key | Re-enter key in Settings |
| Scheduled jobs never run | WP-Cron not triggered | Add real cron job (see above) |
| Capabilities not showing | Role capability not assigned | JoomlaAI → AI Roles → save |
| Widget not appearing in admin | DOING_AJAX or blocked screen | Check HealthCheck → Widget |
| REST 403 error | Nonce expired or missing | Reload admin page |
Full troubleshooting → Troubleshooting guide.
_Last updated: 2026-05-19 · v1.0.0_
