Title: Developer Debug Mode Author: Glimbyte Published: Febrer 6, 2026 Last modified: Febrer 6, 2026 --- Search plugins ![](https://ps.w.org/developer-debug-mode/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=3455414) # Developer Debug Mode By [Glimbyte](https://profiles.wordpress.org/glimbyte/) [Download](https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/developer-debug-mode.1.2.5.zip) * [Details](https://bal.wordpress.org/plugins/developer-debug-mode/#description) * [Reviews](https://bal.wordpress.org/plugins/developer-debug-mode/#reviews) * [Installation](https://bal.wordpress.org/plugins/developer-debug-mode/#installation) * [Development](https://bal.wordpress.org/plugins/developer-debug-mode/#developers) [Support](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/developer-debug-mode/) ## Description **Stop editing wp-config.php every time you need to debug your WordPress site.** Developer Debug Mode lets you toggle all WordPress debug constants directly from your dashboard with beautiful toggle switches. Changes save automatically — no clicking save buttons, no FTP access needed, no risk of syntax errors in your config file. #### 🎯 The Problem This Plugin Solves Every WordPress developer knows the pain: 1. Something breaks on your site 2. You need to enable WP_DEBUG to see the error 3. You open FTP/File Manager, find wp-config.php, edit it carefully 4. Debug the issue 5. Remember to turn debug off before visitors see ugly error messages 6. Repeat next time something breaks **Developer Debug Mode eliminates steps 2-5 entirely.** Toggle debug on, find the error, toggle off. Done in seconds. #### ✨ Key Features **One-Click Debug Toggles** Control all six WordPress debug constants from a clean, modern interface: * **WP_DEBUG** — Master switch for WordPress debugging * **WP_DEBUG_LOG** — Save errors to wp-content/debug.log * **WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY** — Show errors on screen (careful on production!) * **SCRIPT_DEBUG** — Use unminified core CSS/JS files * **SAVEQUERIES** — Log database queries for performance analysis * **WP_DISABLE_FATAL_ERROR_HANDLER** — See raw PHP fatal errors instead of recovery mode **Admin Bar Quick Toggle** _(New in 1.2.0!)_ Toggle any debug constant directly from the WordPress admin bar — no need to visit the settings page. Perfect for quick debugging sessions. **Built-in Debug Log Viewer** View, search, download, and clear your debug.log without leaving WordPress: * Color-coded entries (fatal, error, warning, notice) * Search with highlighting * Auto-refresh option for real-time monitoring * One-click download and clear **Auto-Save Technology** Changes save instantly as you toggle. No save button, no page refresh, no waiting. **Frontend Debug Warning** A tasteful notification bar appears when WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY is active, reminding you to turn it off before visitors see error messages. **Cross-Tab Synchronization** Toggle debug in one browser tab and watch other open tabs update instantly. **Automatic Backups** Every change creates a backup of wp-config.php. The plugin keeps the 5 most recent backups, so you can always recover if something goes wrong. #### 🔧 Perfect For * **Theme developers** debugging template issues * **Plugin developers** testing new code * **Site administrators** troubleshooting problems * **Agencies** managing multiple client sites * **Freelancers** who need quick debugging without FTP access * **Anyone** tired of manually editing wp-config.php #### 💡 Why Choose Developer Debug Mode? Unlike other debug plugins, we focus on **user experience**: ✅ **Instant toggles** — No save buttons, changes apply immediately ✅ **Visual feedback** — Clear status indicators show exactly what’s enabled ✅ **Admin bar access** — Toggle debug from anywhere in WordPress ✅ **Production-safe** — Frontend warnings prevent accidentally exposing errors ✅ **Modern design** — Beautiful UI that fits naturally in your dashboard ✅ **Lightweight** — No bloat, loads only where needed #### 🔒 Built With Security In Mind * Capability checks ensure only administrators can change settings * Nonce verification on all AJAX requests * Automatic wp-config.php backups before every change * No data sent to external servers * Clean uninstall removes all plugin data #### 📚 Debug Constants Explained Not sure what each constant does? Here’s a quick guide: **WP_DEBUG** The master switch. When enabled, WordPress will display PHP errors, notices, and warnings. Required for the other debug constants to work. **WP_DEBUG_LOG** Saves all debug messages to `/wp-content/debug.log`. Essential for debugging issues that happen in the background (AJAX, cron jobs, REST API). **WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY** Shows errors directly on your web pages. Useful during development but **never enable on production** — it can expose sensitive information to visitors. **SCRIPT_DEBUG** Forces WordPress to use the development versions of core CSS and JavaScript files instead of minified versions. Helpful when debugging scripts. **SAVEQUERIES** Stores database queries in a global array for later analysis. Useful for identifying slow queries but adds overhead — disable when not needed. **WP_DISABLE_FATAL_ERROR_HANDLER** Disables WordPress’s “recovery mode” so you see the actual PHP fatal error instead of “There has been a critical error on this website.” #### 🤝 Support & Documentation Need help? We offer: * **Free Support** — Post in the [WordPress.org support forum](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/developer-debug-mode/) * **Documentation** — Visit [glimbyte.ie](https://glimbyte.ie) for guides and tutorials * **Express Support** — Fast turnaround for urgent issues via [glimbyte.ie/support](https://glimbyte.ie/support) #### 🌐 Works Great With * **Query Monitor** — Use alongside for deeper debugging * **Debug Bar** — Compatible with Debug Bar and its add-ons * **Any caching plugin** — Clear cache after toggling debug constants * **Managed WordPress hosts** — Works on most hosts including Kinsta, WP Engine, SiteGround ### Credits Developed with ❤️ by [Glimbyte](https://glimbyte.ie) — WordPress Development & Support. Special thanks to the WordPress community for feedback and suggestions. ### Privacy Policy Developer Debug Mode does not collect, store, or transmit any personal data. All settings are stored locally in your WordPress database and wp-config.php file. The optional support contact form (available in the plugin settings) sends data directly to Glimbyte’s support team. This data is handled according to [Glimbyte’s Privacy Policy](https://glimbyte.ie/privacy). ### Additional Info #### Contribute Found a bug or have a feature request? We’d love to hear from you! * **Support Forum:** [wordpress.org/support/plugin/developer-debug-mode](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/developer-debug-mode/) * **Website:** [glimbyte.ie](https://glimbyte.ie) #### Translations Want to help translate Developer Debug Mode into your language? Visit [translate.wordpress.org](https://translate.wordpress.org/projects/wp-plugins/developer-debug-mode/) to contribute. ## Screenshots * [[ * Clean, modern settings page with real-time status indicators showing all debug constants at a glance * [[ * Beautiful toggle switches with auto-save — changes apply instantly without clicking save * [[ * Admin bar quick toggle menu — enable or disable any debug constant from anywhere in WordPress * [[ * Built-in debug log viewer with search, color-coding, and one-click download ## Installation #### Automatic Installation (Recommended) 1. Go to **Plugins Add New** in your WordPress admin 2. Search for “Developer Debug Mode” 3. Click **Install Now** then **Activate** 4. Go to **Settings Debug Mode** to start debugging #### Manual Installation 1. Download the plugin ZIP file 2. Go to **Plugins Add New Upload Plugin** 3. Choose the ZIP file and click **Install Now** 4. Activate the plugin 5. Go to **Settings Debug Mode** #### Requirements * WordPress 5.0 or higher * PHP 7.0 or higher * Write access to wp-config.php (most hosts allow this) #### After Activation 1. Navigate to **Settings Debug Mode** 2. You’ll see the current status of all debug constants 3. Toggle any switch to enable/disable that constant 4. Changes save automatically — no save button needed! ## FAQ ### Does this plugin edit my wp-config.php file? Yes. The plugin modifies wp-config.php to add or update debug constant definitions. This is the same thing you would do manually, just automated and safer because: * A backup is created before every change * The plugin keeps the 5 most recent backups * Changes are validated before saving * No risk of syntax errors from manual editing ### Is it safe to use on a production/live site? The plugin itself is completely safe. However, be careful with **WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY** on production sites — it can expose sensitive error information to visitors. That’s why the plugin shows a frontend warning bar when WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY is active. You’ll never forget to turn it off! For production debugging, we recommend enabling only **WP_DEBUG** and **WP_DEBUG_LOG**, then checking the debug.log file. ### What if wp-config.php is not writable? The plugin will show a warning message and disable the toggle switches. You’ll need to: 1. Contact your hosting provider to enable write access, or 2. Temporarily change file permissions to 644 or 664 Some managed WordPress hosts restrict wp-config.php access for security. Contact your host’s support for help. ### Can I use this with Query Monitor or Debug Bar? Absolutely! Developer Debug Mode manages the debug constants, while Query Monitor and Debug Bar provide additional debugging interfaces. They complement each other perfectly. ### Will enabling debug mode slow down my site? **WP_DEBUG** and **WP_DEBUG_LOG** have minimal performance impact. **WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY** can slightly slow page rendering if there are many errors. **SAVEQUERIES** does add overhead because it stores every database query — disable it when not actively debugging database performance. ### How do I view the debug.log file? Three options: 1. **Built-in viewer** — Go to Settings Debug Mode and scroll to the Debug Log Viewer section 2. **Direct access** — Download from /wp-content/debug.log via FTP 3. **Admin bar** — Click the debug log link in the admin bar menu ### Can I toggle debug from the admin bar? Yes! As of version 1.2.0, you can click any constant in the admin bar dropdown to toggle it on/off instantly. No need to visit the settings page. ### Does it work with WordPress Multisite? Yes! The plugin works on multisite installations. Each site administrator can manage debug settings for their site. Network-wide settings are not currently supported but planned for a future version. ### What happens when I deactivate or uninstall the plugin? **Deactivation:** Debug constants remain in wp-config.php at their current values. **Uninstall:** Plugin options are removed from the database. Debug constants in wp-config.php are NOT removed — we don’t want to accidentally disable debugging you intentionally enabled. ### Can I customize which constants are shown? Not currently, but this is planned for a future version. All six constants are shown by default as they’re the most commonly used for debugging. ### The toggles aren’t saving. What’s wrong? This usually means one of: 1. **wp-config.php isn’t writable** — Check file permissions 2. **JavaScript error** — Check browser console for errors 3. **Caching** — Clear any caching plugins and try again 4. **Security plugin conflict** — Temporarily disable security plugins to test ### Does this work with custom wp-config.php locations? Yes! The plugin checks both the standard location (WordPress root) and one directory up (common on some hosts). ### How do I get support? 1. Check this FAQ first 2. Search the [support forum](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/developer-debug-mode/) for similar issues 3. Create a new support topic with details about your problem 4. For urgent issues, contact us at [glimbyte.ie/support](https://glimbyte.ie/support) ## Reviews ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/630d2ba7cf2f64cb2ea87636d6be56cecb502dfe664312fbaeae618c182eebe1? s=60&d=retro&r=g) ### 󠀁[Amazing](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/amazing-4212/)󠁿 [tommasomeli](https://profiles.wordpress.org/tommasomeli/) Febrer 9, 2026 1 reply Well-designed plugin! Minimalist UI, perhaps a bit dated, but performs its task very well. [ Read all 1 review ](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/developer-debug-mode/reviews/) ## Contributors & Developers “Developer Debug Mode” is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin. Contributors * [ Glimbyte ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/glimbyte/) [Translate “Developer Debug Mode” into your language.](https://translate.wordpress.org/projects/wp-plugins/developer-debug-mode) ### Interested in development? [Browse the code](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/developer-debug-mode/), check out the [SVN repository](https://plugins.svn.wordpress.org/developer-debug-mode/), or subscribe to the [development log](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/log/developer-debug-mode/) by [RSS](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/log/developer-debug-mode/?limit=100&mode=stop_on_copy&format=rss). ## Changelog #### 1.2.5 * Fixed: Converted email templates to use fully inline styles instead of style blocks (WordPress.org compliance) * Improved: Email compatibility across all major email clients #### 1.2.4 * Fixed: Removed Plugin URI to resolve duplicate URI error (Plugin URI and Author URI cannot be the same) #### 1.2.3 * Fixed: Plugin URI now points to valid URL (https://glimbyte.ie) * Fixed: Inline styles now use wp_add_inline_style() instead of direct output ( WordPress.org compliance) * Fixed: JavaScript object names now use consistent dev_debug_mode prefix * Improved: Code compliance with WordPress coding standards #### 1.2.2 * Fixed: Translators comments now properly placed directly above each __() call with placeholders * Fixed: Updated “Tested up to” to WordPress 6.9 * Fixed: Shortened plugin short description to comply with 150 character limit #### 1.2.1 * Fixed: Added missing translators comments for i18n compliance (WordPress plugin check) #### 1.2.0 * Added: Admin bar quick toggle — click any constant to toggle it directly without visiting settings * Added: Visual feedback with hover effects and loading states in admin bar * Added: Real-time notifications when toggling from admin bar * Added: Cross-tab synchronization for admin bar toggles * Improved: Admin bar menu now shows “Click to Toggle” header for clarity * Improved: Better visual distinction between enabled and disabled states #### 1.1.0 * Added: Admin bar menu showing debug status and quick access to settings * Added: Built-in debug log viewer with search, download, and clear functionality * Added: SAVEQUERIES toggle for database query logging * Added: WP_DISABLE_FATAL_ERROR_HANDLER toggle (WSOD Override) * Added: Auto-refresh option for log viewer * Added: Color-coded log entries (fatal, error, warning, notice) * Improved: Status grid now shows all 6 debug constants * Improved: Better responsive design for mobile devices #### 1.0.1 * Fixed: WordPress 5.0+ compatibility issue with multisite uninstall #### 1.0.0 * Initial release * Toggle WP_DEBUG, WP_DEBUG_LOG, WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY, SCRIPT_DEBUG * Auto-save functionality with instant feedback * Real-time status indicators * Frontend debug notice when WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY is active * Cross-tab synchronization via localStorage * Automatic wp-config.php backups (keeps 5 most recent) * Built-in support contact form ## Meta * Version **1.2.5** * Last updated **2 mesos ago** * Active installations **10+** * WordPress version ** 5.0 or higher ** * Tested up to **6.9.4** * PHP version ** 7.0 or higher ** * Language * [English (US)](https://wordpress.org/plugins/developer-debug-mode/) * Tags * [debug](https://bal.wordpress.org/plugins/tags/debug/)[developer-tools](https://bal.wordpress.org/plugins/tags/developer-tools/) [error log](https://bal.wordpress.org/plugins/tags/error-log/)[troubleshooting](https://bal.wordpress.org/plugins/tags/troubleshooting/) [wp-config](https://bal.wordpress.org/plugins/tags/wp-config/) * [Advanced View](https://bal.wordpress.org/plugins/developer-debug-mode/advanced/) ## Ratings 5 out of 5 stars. * [ 1 5-star review ](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/developer-debug-mode/reviews/?filter=5) * [ 0 4-star reviews ](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/developer-debug-mode/reviews/?filter=4) * [ 0 3-star reviews ](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/developer-debug-mode/reviews/?filter=3) * [ 0 2-star reviews ](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/developer-debug-mode/reviews/?filter=2) * [ 0 1-star reviews ](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/developer-debug-mode/reviews/?filter=1) [Add my review](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/developer-debug-mode/reviews/#new-post) [See all reviews](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/developer-debug-mode/reviews/) ## Contributors * [ Glimbyte ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/glimbyte/) ## Support Got something to say? Need help? [View support forum](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/developer-debug-mode/) ## Donate Would you like to support the advancement of this plugin? [ Donate to this plugin ](https://glimbyte.ie)