Introduction

This guide will walk you through the complete installation process for PureDevs WP Locker. This plugin provides a simple yet powerful way to protect your entire website with a single password, making it perfect for development environments, staging sites, or during major website updates.

The installation process is straightforward and takes just a few minutes. Once installed, you can immediately start protecting your site from unauthorized access.

System Requirements

Before installing PureDevs WP Locker, ensure your server meets these minimum requirements:

  • WordPress: Version 3.5 or higher
  • PHP: Version 5.6 or higher (7.0+ recommended)
  • MySQL: Version 5.0 or higher
  • Browser: Modern browser with cookie support enabled
Note

The plugin has been tested up to WordPress 6.8.3 and is fully compatible with the latest WordPress versions.

Installation Methods

There are three ways to install PureDevs WP Locker. Choose the method that works best for you.

Method 1: Via WordPress Dashboard

This is the easiest and recommended method for most users.

  1. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard
  2. Navigate to Plugins → Add New
  3. Search for “PureDevs WP Locker” in the search bar
  4. Click Install Now on the plugin card
  5. Wait for the installation to complete
  6. Click Activate to enable the plugin
Success

The plugin is now installed and activated! Navigate to Settings → PureDevs WP Locker to configure your site password.

Method 2: Via Upload

Use this method if you’ve downloaded the plugin ZIP file from WordPress.org.

  1. Download the plugin ZIP file from WordPress.org
  2. Go to Plugins → Add New in your WordPress dashboard
  3. Click the Upload Plugin button at the top
  4. Click Choose File and select the downloaded ZIP file
  5. Click Install Now
  6. After installation completes, click Activate Plugin

Method 3: Via FTP

For advanced users who prefer manual installation via FTP.

  1. Download and extract the plugin ZIP file to your computer
  2. Connect to your server using an FTP client (like FileZilla)
  3. Navigate to /wp-content/plugins/ directory
  4. Upload the extracted puredevs-wp-locker folder to this directory
  5. Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins in WordPress
  6. Find “PureDevs WP Locker” and click Activate
Warning

Make sure to upload the plugin folder itself, not the ZIP file. The folder should be named puredevs-wp-locker.

Plugin Activation

After installation, the plugin needs to be activated to start working. Here’s what happens during activation:

  • Plugin settings are initialized with default values
  • WordPress hooks are registered for site protection
  • Database options are created for storing the password and settings

The activation process is instant. Once activated, you’ll need to configure your site password before the protection becomes active.

First Time Setup

Once activated, you must configure your site password to enable protection:

  1. Navigate to Settings → PureDevs WP Locker in your dashboard
  2. Enter a strong password in the Set Password field
  3. Customize the Form Heading (optional) – This appears on the password entry page
  4. Customize the Button Label (optional) – Default is “Submit”
  5. Click Save Changes
Pro Tip

Choose a memorable but secure password. You’ll need to share this with anyone who needs access to your site. Consider using a password manager to generate and store your site password.

Important

After saving your password, your site will be immediately locked. Make sure you remember the password or have it saved before enabling the protection!

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues during installation, try these solutions:

Plugin won’t activate

  • Ensure your WordPress version meets minimum requirements (3.5+)
  • Check that your PHP version is at least 5.6 (7.0+ recommended)
  • Temporarily disable other plugins to check for conflicts
  • Clear your browser cache and try again

Can’t access settings page

  • Ensure you have administrator privileges
  • Try deactivating and reactivating the plugin
  • Check for JavaScript errors in your browser console
  • Temporarily switch to a default WordPress theme (like Twenty Twenty-Four)

Locked out of your site

  • Access your site via FTP or cPanel File Manager
  • Navigate to /wp-content/plugins/
  • Rename the puredevs-wp-locker folder to puredevs-wp-locker-disabled
  • Access your WordPress admin and reset your password
  • Rename the folder back and reconfigure the plugin
Still Having Issues?

If problems persist, please visit the support forum on WordPress.org for assistance.

Next Steps

Now that PureDevs WP Locker is installed, here’s what to do next:

If you need help at any point, check our documentation hub or visit the support forum.