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Getting Started
WP-Nexus is a no-code app builder for WordPress. It lets you create data-driven web applications with a visual UI builder, workflow automation, and custom database tables -- all from within your WordPress admin panel.
Installation
- Download the WP-Nexus plugin
.zipfile. - In your WordPress admin, go to Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin.
- Select the
.zipfile and click Install Now. - Click Activate Plugin.
After activation, a new WP-Nexus menu item appears in the WordPress admin sidebar.
Your First Look
Click WP-Nexus in the admin sidebar. You land on the Apps dashboard, which lists all your applications. If this is a fresh install, the list is empty.
Creating Your First App
- Click Create App.
- Enter a Name (e.g., "Task Manager").
- The Slug is auto-generated from the name (lowercase, underscores). Slugs must start with a lowercase letter and contain only lowercase letters, digits, and underscores.
- Optionally add a Description and choose an Icon from the Lucide icon picker.
- Click Create.
Your new app now appears in the dashboard and as a submenu item under WP-Nexus in the admin sidebar.
Building Blocks
Every WP-Nexus app is made up of four core building blocks:
Database Tables
Define where your data lives. Choose from three storage types:
- Custom Table -- a dedicated SQL table managed by WP-Nexus.
- Custom Post Type (CPT) -- leverages the WordPress posts system.
- Taxonomy -- uses WordPress taxonomy terms.
Each table has a schema of typed columns (varchar, int, date, json, reference, etc.) with support for indexing, uniqueness constraints, and relational references.
See Database Tables for the full guide.
UI Components
Build your frontend visually. The UI Builder provides a drag-and-drop canvas with 38 widgets across five categories: Display, Layout, Data, Form, and Filter. Every widget supports inline styling, responsive breakpoints, element states, and expression bindings.
See UI Builder for the full guide.
Actions
Actions are server-side workflows that respond to user interactions -- form submissions, button clicks, or programmatic triggers. Each action is a pipeline of nodes: validate input, query data, save rows, send emails, and more.
See Actions & Workflows for the full guide.
Settings
App-level settings let you configure global behavior such as default pagination, notification emails, and app-specific options. Settings are accessible in expressions throughout the app.
Next Steps
- Creating an App -- detailed walkthrough of app creation
- Database Tables -- define your data schema
- UI Builder -- build your interface
- Actions & Workflows -- automate server-side logic
- Shortcodes & Rendering -- embed components on your site
- Security -- understand the security model