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Free Plugin by WordPress.org v1.1.8

Debug Bar

Adds a debug menu to the admin bar that shows query, cache, and other helpful debugging information.

Debug Bar

The facts

Rating
4.1★ from 69
Active installs
20k+
Price
Free
Last updated
1 Mar 2026
Added
Nov 2010
Requires WP
3.4
Tested up to
WP 7.0.4
Downloads
2,339,877

Our analysis

AI-assisted

Debug Bar is a WordPress plugin designed for developers, adding a debug menu to the admin bar. It provides information on queries, cache, and other debugging details, which can be particularly useful when troubleshooting issues on a site.

When WP_DEBUG is enabled, the plugin tracks PHP warnings and notices, making them easier to identify. Additionally, it can track MySQL queries if SAVEQUERIES is activated, allowing developers to gain deeper insights into their site's performance.

Best for: This plugin is best suited for WordPress developers needing debugging tools.

What it does well

  • Adds a debug menu to the admin bar
  • Tracks PHP warnings and notices when WP_DEBUG is enabled
  • Displays MySQL queries when SAVEQUERIES is activated
  • Includes add-ons for additional debugging insights
  • Free to use from the WordPress.org directory

Where it falls short

  • Limited to debugging features without extensive functionality details
  • Requires enabling specific options in wp-config.php

Verdict

Debug Bar offers essential debugging capabilities for developers, but its utility is primarily for those familiar with WordPress configuration.

From the developer

WordPress.org's own description of Debug Bar, lightly tidied.

Adds a debug menu to the admin bar that shows query, cache, and other helpful debugging information.

A must for developers!

When WP_DEBUG is enabled it also tracks PHP Warnings and Notices to make them easier to find.

When SAVEQUERIES is enabled the mysql queries are tracked and displayed.

To enable these options, add the following code to your wp-config.php file:

define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );
define( 'SAVEQUERIES', true );

Add a PHP/MySQL console with the Debug Bar Console plugin.

There are numerous other add-ons available to get more insight into, for instance, the registered Post Types, Shortcodes, WP Cron, Language file loading, Actions and Filters and so on. Just search the plugin directory for ‘Debug Bar’.

Read the full description on the official page →

Tagged as

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