Site Library Overview
warning
Site Library imports can change pages, menus, theme mods, and plugins. Treat imports as migrations: run on staging or a fresh install, and take backups first.
What the Site Library Is (and What It Is Not)
| Item | What it is | Where it lives |
|---|---|---|
| Site Library | GP Premium feature that imports starter sites/templates | /wp-content/plugins/gp-premium/site-library/ |
| Template package | A bundled set of content + settings | Downloaded during import |
| Dependencies | Plugins required by a template | Installed/activated during import |
| Design baseline | Customizer settings + presets | Stored in theme mods/options |
Key Concepts
- Speed: you can bootstrap a client site quickly.
- Consistency: templates provide a known layout baseline.
- Auditability: imports are large changes, so you need a repeatable verification workflow.
How It Works
A Site Library import typically:
- Installs/activates required plugins
- Imports demo content (pages, posts, menus)
- Applies theme settings (Customizer/theme mods)
flowchart TD
PICK[Pick template] --> PLUGINS[Install/activate plugins]
PLUGINS --> CONTENT[Import pages/posts/menus]
CONTENT --> SETTINGS[Apply Customizer settings]
SETTINGS --> OUT[Rendered site]
Best Practices
| Practice | Why |
|---|---|
| Import on a clean install or staging | Reduces conflicts and surprises |
| Capture before/after snapshots | Makes debugging and rollback easier |
| Keep a list of installed plugins | Imports often add plugins silently |
| Purge cache after import | LSCache can serve stale output |
| Keep imports in change tickets | Treat templates like deployable artifacts |
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Import fails mid-way | Network or permissions | Check logs, ensure web user can write wp-content/ |
| Site looks unchanged | Cache | Purge LSCache and test logged-out |
| Missing sections | Plugin dependency not active | Verify required plugins are installed/active |
Self-Check
- Locate the Site Library folder in
gp-premium. - Capture the baseline snapshots (plugins/pages/theme mods).
- Run one import on staging and compare before/after.
- Identify which plugins were added and decide if you want to keep them.
Quick Reference
| If you want to... | Start with... |
|---|---|
| Avoid surprises | Import on staging or a fresh install |
| Keep performance stable | Audit any plugins the template adds |
| Keep branding consistent | Re-map fonts, colors, spacing after import |
What's Next
- Next: Import Workflow
- Related: Export & Backup