Docs / Getting started

Getting started

Applies to every desk9 plugin and theme · updated Sep 8, 2026 · 5 min read

This guide covers what every desk9 product shares: installing the free version from wordpress.org, installing Pro from your account, activating the license key, updates, staging sites, moving and uninstalling. The product manuals cover the features. The steps are identical for plugins and themes; differences are marked.

1. Requirements

WordPress	6.0 or newer (see the product manual)
PHP	7.4 or newer
Theme requirement	none — works with any theme

2. Install the free version

3. Install Pro from your account

Download the Pro ZIP from your account, then upload it under Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin. Pro replaces the free version automatically — settings are kept.

Note — you can keep the free version installed as a fallback; it deactivates itself while Pro is active.

Warning — themes only: don’t delete the free theme while a child theme depends on it. Switch to Pro first, then remove.

4. Activate your license

Paste your key from the account page into the plugin’s License screen; the product manual names the exact menu. For automated setups, use WP-CLI:

# activate a license key
wp desk9 license activate D9-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX
# check status
wp desk9 license status

If activation fails

5. Updates & auto-updates

With an active license, Pro updates appear under Dashboard → Updates like any other plugin or theme — same screen, same one-click update. To update automatically, enable auto-updates on the Plugins (or Themes) screen; we recommend it for minor releases.

Note — updates check against the desk9 license server once every 12 hours. A just-published release can take up to that long to appear; “Check again” on the Updates screen forces it immediately.

6. Staging & local sites

Development environments never count against your site limit. Anything on localhost, a .test, .local or .dev domain, or a subdomain starting with staging. or dev. activates as a free slot — same key, full functionality.

7. Moving to a new site

Licenses are not locked to a domain forever. Open your account, deactivate the old site next to the subscription, then activate the key on the new site as usual. This takes under a minute and never requires a support ticket. Site swaps do not change your renewal date.

8. Uninstall & data removal

Before uninstalling, deactivate the license on the plugin’s License screen so the slot frees up for another site. Deactivating or deleting the plugin keeps your settings in the database; a full cleanup on uninstall can be enabled in the settings — then everything the product stored is removed.