# Installation Guide

Complete installation instructions for all AuthorKit plugins.

## Before You Begin

### System Requirements

* **WordPress**: 5.0 or higher
* **PHP**: 7.0 or higher
* **MySQL**: 5.6 or higher
* **HTTPS**: Recommended (not required)

### Compatibility

AuthorKit works with:

* Any properly coded WordPress theme
* Classic Editor and Gutenberg
* Most page builders (Elementor, Beaver Builder, Divi, etc.)
* WooCommerce (optional integration)
* Multisite installations

***

## Installation Methods

### Method 1: WordPress.org (Recommended)

**For: AuthorKit Free plugin**

1. Log in to WordPress admin
2. Go to **Plugins → Add New**
3. Search for "AuthorKit"
4. Click **Install Now**
5. Click **Activate**

The free plugin is now active with Books, Reviews, and Bookshelf features (with limits).

### Method 2: Upload via WordPress Admin

**For: AuthorKit Pro add-on or manual installation**

1. Download the plugin ZIP file from your purchase email
2. Go to **Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin**
3. Click **Choose File** and select the ZIP
4. Click **Install Now**
5. Click **Activate**

**Important for Pro:** AuthorKit Free must be installed and activated FIRST before installing Pro add-on.

### Method 3: FTP Upload

**For: Advanced users**

1. Download and extract the plugin ZIP file
2. Upload the extracted folder to `/wp-content/plugins/` via FTP
3. Go to **Plugins** in WordPress admin
4. Find the plugin and click **Activate**

***

## Installation Order

**Important**: Install in this order:

### 1. Install AuthorKit Free First

```
AuthorKit Free (from WordPress.org)
  ↳ Includes: Books, Reviews, Bookshelf (with limits)
```

### 2. Install AuthorKit Pro (Optional)

```
AuthorKit Pro add-on (purchased from authorkit.pro)
  ↳ Requires: AuthorKit Free must be installed first
  ↳ Adds: Contests module, Reader Magnets module, removes limits
```

**Pro is a companion plugin** - it extends AuthorKit Free with additional features. It's not a standalone plugin.

***

## Installing Pro Add-on

### Prerequisites

Before installing Pro:

1. Install and activate **AuthorKit Free** from WordPress.org
2. Purchase a Pro license from [authorkit.pro/pricing](https://authorkit.pro/pricing)
3. Check your email for the download link and license key

### Installation Steps

1. **Download Pro ZIP** from your purchase confirmation email
2. Go to **Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin** in WordPress
3. Choose the `authorkit-pro.zip` file
4. Click **Install Now**
5. Click **Activate**
6. Go to **AuthorKit → Settings → License**
7. Enter your license key and click **Activate License**

### Verify Pro is Working

After activation, you should see:

* **AuthorKit → Contests** menu item appears
* **AuthorKit → Magnets** menu item appears
* No more 10-book limit on Books page
* License status shows "Active" and "Pro" tier

***

## Post-Installation

### Step 1: Verify Installation

1. Go to **Plugins** in WordPress admin
2. Confirm AuthorKit Free (and Pro if purchased) show as "Active"
3. Look for the **AuthorKit** menu in the sidebar

### Step 2: Configure Settings

1. Go to **AuthorKit → Settings**
2. Review general settings
3. Configure Bookshelf sync preferences

### Step 3: Activate Pro License (Pro Users Only)

If you purchased Pro:

1. Go to **AuthorKit → Settings → License**
2. Enter your license key
3. Click **Activate License**
4. Confirm "License Active" status and "Pro" tier

### Step 4: Start Using

* **Books**: Go to **Books → Add New** (Free: 10 max, Pro: unlimited)
* **Reviews**: Add reviews to any book (Free: 3 per book, Pro: unlimited)
* **Contests**: Go to **Contests → Add New** (Pro only)
* **Magnets**: Go to **Magnets → Add New** (Pro only)

***

## Troubleshooting Installation

### Plugin Not Appearing After Activation

**Solution**:

1. Deactivate and reactivate the plugin
2. Clear your browser cache
3. Check for JavaScript errors in browser console

### "Plugin requires AuthorKit Free" Error

**Solution**:

1. Install and activate AuthorKit Free from WordPress.org first
2. Then install and activate AuthorKit Pro add-on

### White Screen After Activation

**Solution**:

1. Increase PHP memory limit (add to wp-config.php):

   ```php
   define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
   ```
2. Contact your hosting provider

### Plugin Conflicts

**Solution**:

1. Deactivate all other plugins
2. Activate AuthorKit plugins only
3. Reactivate other plugins one by one to find the conflict
4. [Report the conflict](mailto:support@authorkit.pro)

***

## Uninstallation

### Deactivating vs Deleting

* **Deactivate**: Turns off the plugin but keeps all data
* **Delete**: Removes the plugin AND all data (irreversible!)

### How to Uninstall

1. Deactivate the plugin first
2. Go to **Plugins → Installed Plugins**
3. Find the plugin and click **Delete**
4. Confirm deletion

**Warning**: This will delete all books, reviews, and settings.

### Data Export Before Uninstall

1. Go to **AuthorKit → Tools → Export**
2. Download your data as JSON/CSV
3. Save the file safely before deleting

***

## Need Help?

* [FAQ](/getting-started/faq.md)
* [Common Issues](broken://pages/tQ9rhX8Kuqjc1zaOmHHI)
* [Community Forum](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/authorkit/)
* [Premium Support](mailto:support@authorkit.pro)


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.authorkit.pro/getting-started/installation.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.