Quick start

WP DataGen generates controllable test data on WordPress development or staging sites, then rolls everything back with a single batch cleanup. This guide covers install, first generation, batch rollback, and the WooCommerce Pro scenario.

Important: dev/staging only. Never run on production — generated users, posts, and orders are real database writes.

1. Install

Download the ZIP matching your PHP version (e.g. wp-datagen_v1.x.x_php8.1.zip).
WordPress admin → Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin → choose the ZIP → Install Now → Activate.
After activation a "WP DataGen" entry (database icon) appears in the left admin menu.

WooCommerce data generation requires WooCommerce installed and active, plus a Pro license.

2. Enter your license key (optional)

Only needed to unlock WooCommerce scenarios or auto-updates:

Open the WP DataGen dashboard.
Paste the key from your store account into the "License Key" field on the right sidebar.
Save — the badge turns "Active" and the Plan column reads "Pro".

The free tier already includes the full general scenario (users, posts, pages, comments, menus).

3. First generation

From the dashboard, left column "Generate Data":

Scenario — pick "General (WordPress Core)" (default).
Parameters — defaults are already tuned for dev sites (e.g. 5 users / 10 posts / 3 pages). Adjust as needed: - Categories / Tags: number of categories and tags - Users: how many users (mixed roles) - Posts / Pages: posts and pages (pages form a hierarchical tree) - Comments/Post: comments per post (with nested replies) - Create Menu: build a navigation menu from generated pages
Click "Generate Data" — confirm the dialog.
On success a green notice appears and "Batch History" shows the new batch (id, scenario, summary).

4. Batch rollback

Each generation creates an isolated batch. Two cleanup modes:

Single batch: in "Batch History" find the row → "Cleanup".
All batches: bottom-right "Cleanup All Batches".

Cleanup only deletes entities the plugin tracked in its batch tables — your existing site content is untouched.

5. Save slots

5 named slots store a batch snapshot so you can replay the same dataset:

In "Batch History", pick a slot (Slot 1–5) → "Save" — the batch is stored to that slot.
The "Save Slots" panel shows each slot's scenario, summary, and saved-at timestamp.
"Load" re-generates a fresh dataset from the slot's recipe (creates new entities; does not affect the original batch).
"Clear" empties the slot. A * next to a slot marks it occupied.

6. WooCommerce scenario (Pro)

After confirming WooCommerce is active and your license is Active:

Switch "Scenario" to "WooCommerce (Pro)".
Parameters panel switches to WooCommerce fields: - Product Categories: how many product categories - Products: total products (mix of simple / variable / grouped) - Customers: customers with billing and shipping addresses - Orders/Customer: orders per customer (mixed statuses) - Reviews/Product: product reviews (with star ratings)
Click "Generate Data".

WooCommerce batches also support cleanup — entities are removed in reverse order (reviews → orders → products → customers).

7. Auto-updates

With a valid license the "Updates" panel on the right shows the current version and any available update. "Check for Updates" fetches the latest version; "Install Update" runs the standard WordPress update flow.

8. FAQ

Q: I accidentally ran this on production. What now? A: Use "Cleanup All Batches" immediately — all entities tracked by DataGen will be rolled back via the batch tables.

Q: WooCommerce options are greyed out. A: Verify WooCommerce is installed/active and that the license is Active with the Pro tier.

Q: Can I customize generation templates? A: This release ships General + WooCommerce presets. Custom templates are on the roadmap.

Q: What are the generated users' passwords? A: Random per user; test logins via "Forgot password" or by editing the user record directly.

For deeper docs (architecture, batch table schema, cleanup order) see the "Full documentation" link on your store dashboard card.