Advanced Features

Overview

The Advanced Features category contains powerful tools and modules that extend the core functionality of your admin panel. These features are designed for advanced users and developers who want to customize and enhance their system beyond the standard capabilities. This section includes the plugin system for adding custom functionality and other advanced administrative tools.

Modules in This Category

Plugins

The Plugins module provides a complete extensibility system for your admin panel. Install third-party plugins, develop your own custom functionality, or use the built-in scaffolding tool to generate plugin boilerplate code. Manage the entire plugin lifecycle including installation, activation, configuration, and uninstallation.

Key Capabilities:

• Install plugins from ZIP files
• Activate and deactivate plugins without uninstalling
• Generate plugin scaffolds with complete directory structure
• Configure plugin-specific settings
• Track plugin activity and changes
• Manage plugin metadata and icons
• Clear plugin caches for troubleshooting

Common Use Cases:

• Adding custom features without modifying core code
• Integrating third-party services and APIs
• Creating reusable functionality modules
• Extending admin panel capabilities
• Building custom workflows and automations

Common Workflows

Installing and Activating a Plugin

1. Navigate to Dashboard > Advanced Features > Plugins
2. Click "Install Plugin" button
3. Upload the plugin ZIP file
4. Review the plugin details after installation
5. Click "Activate" to enable the plugin
6. Configure plugin settings if needed
7. Test the plugin functionality

Developing a Custom Plugin

1. Go to Dashboard > Advanced Features > Plugins
2. Click "Scaffold Plugin" button
3. Fill in plugin details (name, author, description)
4. Generate the plugin scaffold
5. Navigate to the generated plugin directory
6. Customize the generated code for your needs
7. Package the plugin as a ZIP file
8. Install and activate through the admin interface

Managing Plugin Settings

1. View the plugins list
2. Click on a plugin to view details
3. Navigate to the "Settings" tab
4. Add or edit configuration settings
5. Set appropriate data types (string, boolean, integer, etc.)
6. Enable encryption for sensitive values
7. Save changes and test plugin behavior

Troubleshooting Plugin Issues

1. Check the plugin activity logs for errors
2. Review Laravel logs for detailed error messages
3. Try deactivating and reactivating the plugin
4. Clear plugin cache
5. Verify plugin requirements are met
6. Check for conflicts with other plugins
7. Contact plugin author if issues persist

Best Practices

Plugin Management

• Test Before Production: Always test plugins in a development environment first
• Backup First: Create a full backup before installing or updating plugins
• Review Code: Review plugin source code for security and quality when possible
• Keep Updated: Regularly check for and install plugin updates
• Monitor Performance: Track how plugins affect system performance
• Document Changes: Keep notes on which plugins are installed and why

Plugin Development

• Follow Standards: Use Laravel and PHP coding standards
• Use Namespaces: Properly namespace your plugin code to avoid conflicts
• Version Properly: Follow semantic versioning for plugin releases
• Write Tests: Include unit and feature tests with your plugins
• Document Well: Provide clear documentation for plugin users
• Handle Errors: Implement proper error handling and logging
• Clean Up: Properly clean up resources in deactivation hooks

Security Considerations

• Validate Input: Always validate and sanitize user input
• Encrypt Secrets: Use encryption for API keys and sensitive data
• Check Permissions: Implement proper permission checks
• Audit Actions: Log important plugin actions for audit trails
• Update Dependencies: Keep plugin dependencies up to date
• Review Permissions: Only grant necessary permissions to plugins
• Sandbox When Possible: Isolate plugin functionality from core system

Getting Started

If you're new to the Advanced Features section, we recommend:

1. Start with the Plugins Documentation: Read the Plugins guide to understand the plugin system
2. Explore Existing Plugins: Review installed plugins to see how they work
3. Try Scaffolding: Use the scaffold tool to generate a sample plugin
4. Review Activity Logs: Check plugin activity logs to understand what actions are tracked
5. Test in Development: Set up a development environment for safe testing

Getting Help

• Review the troubleshooting sections in each module's documentation
• Check Laravel logs in storage/logs/ for error details
• Review plugin activity logs for action history
• Contact plugin authors for plugin-specific issues
• Consult the admin panel documentation for core functionality

Development Resources

• Laravel Documentation: https://laravel.com/docs
• PHP Standards: https://www.php-fig.org/psr/
• Semantic Versioning: https://semver.org/
• Plugin Development Best Practices: See dev-docs folder