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How to Install the Plugin Update Server by XoBytes

If you sell WordPress plugins, you need a clean way to deliver updates. Customers should not have to wait for emailed ZIP files or manually reinstall every new version.

In this guide, you will learn how to install the Plugin Update Server by XoBytes, activate your license, connect WooCommerce products, and prepare your first private plugin release.

As a result, your WooCommerce website can become a private update server for the plugins you sell.

What Is Plugin Update Server by XoBytes?

Plugin Update Server by XoBytes helps software sellers deliver private WordPress plugin updates from their own website.

Instead of using WordPress.org, you can host your own release ZIPs, connect them to WooCommerce products, and protect downloads with license checks.

Then, when a customer has an active license, they can receive update notices inside their WordPress dashboard.

How to Install the Plugin Update Server Step by Step

The setup is simple when you follow the process in order.

First, you install the plugin. Then, you activate your license. After that, you map your WooCommerce products and upload plugin releases.

Once everything is connected, your customers can receive private plugin updates from your own website.

Before You Install the Plugin Update Server

Before you begin, make sure your website is ready.

You should have:

  • A working WordPress website.
  • WooCommerce installed and active.
  • Your Plugin Update Server ZIP file.
  • Your XoBytes license key.
  • A plugin ZIP file you want to sell or update.

Also, if you want license-protected updates, you should use a license system such as Xobytes License Manager for WooCommerce.

Step 1: Download the Plugin ZIP File

First, download the Plugin Update Server ZIP file from your XoBytes account or order downloads area.

The file may look similar to this:

plugin-update-server-by-xobytes.zip

Do not unzip the file before uploading it to WordPress. WordPress needs the ZIP file for the normal plugin upload process.

Step 2: Upload the Plugin to WordPress

Next, log into your WordPress admin dashboard.

Go to:

Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin

Then click Choose File and select the Plugin Update Server ZIP file.

After that, click Install Now.

Once WordPress finishes the upload, click Activate Plugin.

Step 3: Activate Your XoBytes License

After activation, go to the Plugin Update Server license page.

Paste your XoBytes license key into the license field. Then click Activate License.

If the license is valid, the status should show as active.

This matters because the Plugin Update Server is a licensed product. If the license is not active, the main update server features should stay locked.

Step 4: Confirm the Dashboard Loads

Next, open the Plugin Update Server dashboard.

You should see the main admin area with sections for plugins, releases, logs, settings, and help.

If the dashboard loads correctly, the plugin is installed and ready for setup.

Step 5: Create a WooCommerce Product

Now create the WooCommerce product that customers will buy.

Go to:

Products > Add New

Add your product name, price, product image, short description, and long description.

For example, your product might be named:

My Plugin Pro

After you publish the product, copy the product ID.

You can usually find it in the product edit URL. For example, if the URL contains:

post=123

then the product ID is:

123

Step 6: Add the Plugin Under Plugins / Products

Next, go to:

Plugin Update Server > Plugins / Products

This is where you connect your plugin to a WooCommerce product.

Add the plugin details, including:

  • Plugin name
  • Plugin slug
  • Main plugin file
  • WooCommerce product ID

For example:

Plugin Name: My Plugin Pro
Plugin Slug: my-plugin-pro
Main Plugin File: my-plugin-pro/my-plugin-pro.php
WooCommerce Product ID: 123

If the plugin is already installed on your site, use the available plugin dropdown when possible. This can auto-fill the plugin name, slug, and main plugin file.

Step 7: Upload Your First Release ZIP

After the plugin is mapped, go to:

Plugin Update Server > Releases

Now upload the plugin ZIP file that customers should install or receive as an update.

Make sure you upload the customer plugin ZIP, not the Plugin Update Server ZIP.

For example, upload:

my-plugin-pro-v1.0.1.zip

Do not upload:

plugin-update-server-by-xobytes.zip

This is important because the update server must save the release files for the plugin you are selling.

Step 8: Add Version and Compatibility Details

Each release should include version and compatibility details.

Use fields such as:

  • Version
  • Requires WordPress
  • Tested up to
  • Requires PHP
  • Changelog

For example:

Version: 1.0.1
Requires WP: 6.0
Tested up to: 6.8.2
Requires PHP: 7.4

These details help customers understand what changed before they update.

Step 9: Enable Auto-Inject Update Client

The update client is what lets a customer plugin talk to your private update server.

When you upload a release, leave Auto-Inject Update Client turned on.

This adds these files to the release ZIP:

includes/xobytes-update-client.php
includes/xobytes-update-bootstrap.php

It also patches the plugin’s main file with the update bootstrap code.

Because of this, the customer’s installed plugin can check your update server for future versions.

Step 10: Download or Use the Prepared Release ZIP

After the release is uploaded and injected, use the prepared ZIP for customers.

You can use the release history actions to:

  • Download the release ZIP.
  • Inject or repair the update files.
  • Download the update client file.
  • Download the bootstrap file.

If you need to verify the update files, extract the prepared release ZIP and confirm these files exist:

includes/xobytes-update-client.php
includes/xobytes-update-bootstrap.php

Also confirm the main plugin file includes the XoBytes update bootstrap require block.

Step 11: Test the Plugin on Another WordPress Site

Before selling the plugin, test the prepared ZIP on a different WordPress site.

Install the prepared plugin ZIP on the test site. Then activate it.

Next, enter a valid license key in the plugin’s license screen.

Usually, the license screen will appear under:

Settings > Plugin Name License

Once the license is active, the plugin should be able to check your private update server.

Step 12: Test an Update Notice

To test an update, upload a newer release version to the Plugin Update Server.

For example, if the test site has:

Version: 1.0.0

upload a release with:

Version: 1.0.1

Then go to the test site and open:

Dashboard > Updates

Click Check again.

If the license is active and the release version is newer, WordPress should show an update notice.

Step 13: Check the Logs

After testing, review the Plugin Update Server logs.

The logs can show update checks and downloads. They can also help you find problems with license status, plugin slugs, or version numbers.

If an update does not appear, check the logs before changing code.

Common Installation Problems

The Plugin Will Not Upload

If the plugin will not upload, make sure you are uploading the ZIP file. Also, check your hosting file upload limit.

The License Will Not Activate

If your license does not activate, copy the key again and remove extra spaces. Then try again.

Also, make sure your website can connect to the XoBytes license server.

The Release ZIP Is Wrong

If the release ZIP extracts into the wrong plugin folder, delete that release.

Then upload the correct customer plugin ZIP again.

The Update Does Not Show

If the update does not show, check the installed version and release version.

The release version must be higher than the version installed on the customer site.

Also, confirm the license is active and the plugin slug matches the mapped plugin.

Recommended XoBytes Software Stack

Plugin Update Server works best when it is part of a full software-selling setup.

Helpful WordPress Resource

If you want to learn more about how WordPress plugins are structured, you can review the official WordPress Plugin Developer Handbook.

This is useful because Plugin Update Server needs to detect the correct plugin header and main plugin file inside each release ZIP.

Final Thoughts

Now you know how to install the Plugin Update Server by XoBytes.

First, install and activate the plugin. Then activate your license. Next, map your WooCommerce product, upload your release ZIP, and enable auto-inject.

After that, customers with active licenses can receive private WordPress plugin updates from your own website.

If you sell WordPress plugins, Plugin Update Server by XoBytes gives you a cleaner way to manage releases, protect downloads, and deliver updates like a real software company.

Hey, I’m Xoie. Let me know if you need help.