# WordPress Plugin and Theme Management > The Wordpress Plugin and Theme Management feature provides to user a holistic view of all the plugins and themes installed in their Wordpress site. - Source: https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/sites/wordpress/wordpress-plugin-and-theme-management - Section: Sites / Wordpress - Reading time: 3 min - Images: 5, each explained below - Modified on Tue, 8 Sep at 10:27 AM --- Manage installed WordPress plugins and themes directly from GHL Customer Care. You can review versions, update supported items, and activate, deactivate, or delete extensions from your WordPress hosting dashboard. WordPress Plugin and Theme Management lets you maintain installed extensions without opening native WordPress for routine changes. You can review versions, update items, and manage their status from GHL Customer Care. --- **TABLE OF CONTENTS** - [Key Benefits of WordPress Plugin and Theme Management](#key-benefits-of-wordpress-plugin-and-theme-management) - [Plugin and Theme Actions](#plugin-and-theme-actions) - [Installing New WordPress Plugins](#installing-new-wordpress-plugins) - [Live and Staging Environments](#live-and-staging-environments) - [How to Manage WordPress Plugins and Themes](#how-to-manage-wordpress-plugins-and-themes) - [Frequently Asked Questions](#frequently-asked-questions) - [Related Articles](#related-articles) --- ## **Key Benefits of WordPress Plugin and Theme Management** Centralized plugin and theme controls make routine WordPress maintenance faster and easier. - **Centralized management:** Manage installed plugins and themes from GHL Customer Care. - **Version visibility:** Compare current and available versions. - **Quick updates:** Update supported plugins and themes to the latest version. - **Flexible access:** Use native WP Admin when you need additional WordPress controls. - **Safer testing:** Use Staging to test changes before publishing them to Live. --- ## **Plugin and Theme Actions** Each action affects an installed plugin or theme differently, so choose the option that matches your goal. - **Activate:** Enables an installed item. - **Deactivate:** Disables the item without deleting it. - **Delete:** Removes the installed item. - **Update:** Updates the item to the latest available version. Version details help you identify which plugins or themes need updates. - **Current Version:** The version installed on your site. - **Available Version:** The latest version available. GHL Customer Care does not support downgrading plugins or themes from this dashboard. ![Plugin and Theme Actions (image 1 of 5)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155080398686/original/1hI8LhOUvRZ3N2Jlwu08VnCdHEKmY3PN0Q.png) **Plugin and Theme Actions (image 1 of 5)** This screenshot appears in the "Plugin and Theme Actions" section of "WordPress Plugin and Theme Management". The text alongside this image reads: GHL Customer Care does not support downgrading plugins or themes from this dashboard. Immediately after, the guide continues: The management dashboard is designed for extensions that are already installed. New plugins must be added through another supported workflow. - What this covers: GHL Customer Care does not support downgrading plugins or themes from this dashboard. - Next: The management dashboard is designed for extensions that are already installed. New plugins must be added through another supported workflow. Full procedure: 1. Activate: Enables an installed item. 2. Deactivate: Disables the item without deleting it. 3. Delete: Removes the installed item. 4. Update: Updates the item to the latest available version. Version details help you identify which plugins or themes need updates. --- ## **Installing New WordPress Plugins** The management dashboard is designed for extensions that are already installed. New plugins must be added through another supported workflow. You can: - Select supported plugins during WordPress site creation. - Install additional plugins through native WordPress under **Plugins > Add New**. - Manage installed plugins afterward from GHL Customer Care. --- ## **Live and Staging Environments** Staging lets you test plugin and theme changes separately from your live website. This can reduce risk when making larger updates or troubleshooting site behavior. Changes made in **Staging** do not affect the live site until Staging is published to Live. Changes made in the **Live** environment affect the production site. ![Live and Staging Environments (image 2 of 5)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155080399371/original/a1qJSRerH2wwaLPlAJhvggT29qWxq_UXrQ.png) **Live and Staging Environments (image 2 of 5)** This screenshot appears in the "Live and Staging Environments" section of "WordPress Plugin and Theme Management". The text alongside this image reads: Changes made in Staging do not affect the live site until Staging is published to Live. Changes made in the Live environment affect the production site. Immediately after, the guide continues: Following the correct workflow helps ensure you make changes to the intended site and environment. - What this covers: Changes made in Staging do not affect the live site until Staging is published to Live. Changes made in the Live environment affect the production site. - Controls: Staging, Live - Next: Following the correct workflow helps ensure you make changes to the intended site and environment. --- ## **How to Manage WordPress Plugins and Themes** Following the correct workflow helps ensure you make changes to the intended site and environment. 1. Go to **Sites > WordPress**. Click **Manage Site** to open the WordPress site you want to manage. ![Step 1 of 7: Go to Sites > WordPress. Click Manage Site to open the WordPress site…](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155080399129/original/0qIAfh3_zfC6MIvTtwsnCBmUh4iQUfrg2g.png) **Step 1 of 7: Go to Sites > WordPress. Click Manage Site to open the WordPress site…** This screenshot accompanies step 1 of 7 in the "How to Manage WordPress Plugins and Themes" section of "WordPress Plugin and Theme Management". At this point in the walkthrough you go to Sites > WordPress. Click Manage Site to open the WordPress site you want to manage. The navigation path used here is Sites > WordPress. The next step is to confirm whether you are working in Live or Staging. - Path: Sites > WordPress - Where to go: Go to Sites > WordPress. Click Manage Site to open the WordPress site you want to manage. - Controls: Sites > WordPress, Manage Site, Live, Staging, Plugins or Themes, Current Version, Available Version, Activate, Deactivate, Delete - Next: Confirm whether you are working in Live or Staging. Full procedure: 1. Go to Sites > WordPress. Click Manage Site to open the WordPress site you want to manage. <- this image 2. Confirm whether you are working in Live or Staging. 3. Open Plugins or Themes. Locate the plugin or theme you want to manage. 4. Review the Current Version and Available Version. 5. Update the item if a newer version is available. 6. Open the action menu to Activate, Deactivate, or Delete the item. 7. Review your website after making changes. 2. Confirm whether you are working in **Live** or **Staging**. ![Step 2 of 7: Confirm whether you are working in Live or Staging](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155080399420/original/UYU1dCq2D8WwIztYSwmiJkLziI33b-GtCg.png) **Step 2 of 7: Confirm whether you are working in Live or Staging** This screenshot accompanies step 2 of 7 in the "How to Manage WordPress Plugins and Themes" section of "WordPress Plugin and Theme Management". At this point in the walkthrough you confirm whether you are working in Live or Staging. The navigation path used here is Sites > WordPress. The next step is to open Plugins or Themes. Locate the plugin or theme you want to manage. - Path: Sites > WordPress - How to confirm: Confirm whether you are working in Live or Staging. - Controls: Live, Staging, Sites > WordPress, Manage Site, Plugins or Themes, Current Version, Available Version, Activate, Deactivate, Delete - Next: Open Plugins or Themes. Locate the plugin or theme you want to manage. Full procedure: 1. Go to Sites > WordPress. Click Manage Site to open the WordPress site you want to manage. 2. Confirm whether you are working in Live or Staging. <- this image 3. Open Plugins or Themes. Locate the plugin or theme you want to manage. 4. Review the Current Version and Available Version. 5. Update the item if a newer version is available. 6. Open the action menu to Activate, Deactivate, or Delete the item. 7. Review your website after making changes. 3. Open **Plugins or Themes**. Locate the plugin or theme you want to manage. 4. Review the **Current Version** and **Available Version**. 5. Update the item if a newer version is available. 6. Open the action menu to **Activate**, **Deactivate**, or **Delete** the item. ![Step 6 of 7: Open the action menu to Activate, Deactivate, or Delete the item](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155080399666/original/0KxoeeVOzqGQ5QAD-szVttlhOocIDerH6Q.png) **Step 6 of 7: Open the action menu to Activate, Deactivate, or Delete the item** This screenshot accompanies step 6 of 7 in the "How to Manage WordPress Plugins and Themes" section of "WordPress Plugin and Theme Management". At this point in the walkthrough you open the action menu to Activate, Deactivate, or Delete the item. The navigation path used here is Sites > WordPress. The next step is to review your website after making changes. - Path: Sites > WordPress - Where to go: Open the action menu to Activate, Deactivate, or Delete the item. - Controls: Activate, Deactivate, Delete, Sites > WordPress, Manage Site, Live, Staging, Plugins or Themes, Current Version, Available Version - Next: Review your website after making changes. Full procedure: 1. Go to Sites > WordPress. Click Manage Site to open the WordPress site you want to manage. 2. Confirm whether you are working in Live or Staging. 3. Open Plugins or Themes. Locate the plugin or theme you want to manage. 4. Review the Current Version and Available Version. 5. Update the item if a newer version is available. 6. Open the action menu to Activate, Deactivate, or Delete the item. <- this image 7. Review your website after making changes. 7. Review your website after making changes. --- ## **Frequently Asked Questions** **Q: Can I install a new plugin from this dashboard?** A: No. Install new plugins during site creation or through native WordPress. **Q: Can I downgrade a plugin or theme?** A: No. The GHL Customer Care management dashboard only supports updating to the latest available version. **Q: What should I do if a plugin causes a site issue?** A: Use the WordPress Plugin Troubleshooter or restore the site from an available backup. **Q: Do Staging changes immediately affect my live site?** A: No. Staging changes remain separate until you publish Staging to Live. **Q: Can I still manage plugins and themes in native WordPress?** A: Yes. Use the **WP Admin** button to access the native WordPress dashboard. **Q: Why can’t I use a specific plugin?** A: Some plugins are restricted in GHL Customer Care’s WordPress hosting environment. Check the blocked-plugin list for current restrictions. --- ## **Related Articles** - [WordPress: Automatic Updates Management for Core, Plugins, and Themes](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/sites/wordpress/wordpress-automatic-updates-management-for-core-plugins-and-themes) - [WordPress - Staging Environment Access](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/sites/wordpress/wordpress-staging-environment-access) - [How to Use the WordPress Plugin Troubleshooter](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/sites/wordpress/how-to-use-the-wordpress-plugin-troubleshooter) - [How to Setup WordPress for Clients](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/sites/wordpress/how-to-setup-wordpress-for-clients) - [List of Blocked WordPress Plugins](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/sites/wordpress/list-of-blocked-wordpress-plugins) - [WordPress: Single Sign On Admin](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/sites/wordpress/wordpress-single-sign-on-admin) --- Documentation for GHL Customer Care. Support: support@ghlcustomercare.com