AddoBase updates for the core and add-ons

AddoBase updates cover AddoBase itself and every AddoCore add-on on the site. They come from addocore.com instead of wordpress.org. You install them from the normal WordPress update screens or straight from the AddoBase screen, and both routes use WordPress’ own plugin updater.

How do AddoBase updates reach WordPress?

Every AddoCore plugin carries an Update URI header that points at addocore.com. WordPress sees that header and asks AddoBase for update information instead of wordpress.org. An add-on’s header looks like this:

Plugin Name:      Addofy
Requires Plugins: addobase
Update URI:       https://addocore.com/Addofy

AddoBase answers from the last state it received from AddoCore: the latest version, the required WordPress and PHP versions, the “tested up to” version, the changelog and a download link. Download links are signed and stay valid for 6 hours. Before WordPress runs its own update check, AddoBase refreshes the state when it is older than an hour, so the link it hands over is still valid.

Where do AddoBase updates show up in wp-admin?

AddoBase updates appear in the same places as any other plugin update:

• Dashboard → Updates, in the list of plugins with a new version,
• the Plugins screen, with the usual update notice under the plugin,
• View details, which opens the name, version, requirements and changelog.

You update from there the way you update any plugin. Nothing extra is needed on the site.

How do you install AddoBase updates from the AddoBase screen?

The Version column of the add-ons table shows the installed version. When a newer one exists, a button appears under it:

• Update to X next to an add-on installs version X. The add-on stays active during the update, the same as the update link in the Plugins screen.
• Update AddoBase to X at the bottom of the screen, next to the AddoBase version number, updates AddoBase itself.

AddoBase first fetches a fresh release, so the download link is new. It downloads the zip before WordPress switches on maintenance mode; a failed download never leaves the site in maintenance mode. When it is done you see a message such as “Addofy is updated to version X.” After an add-on update, AddoBase reports the new version to AddoCore straight away. AddoBase reports its own new version at its next check.

The buttons need the update_plugins capability. Without it, AddoBase only shows “Version X available”.

Why do add-on updates need an active license?

AddoCore only includes a download link while the add-on has an active license or a running trial. Without one, the AddoBase screen shows “Version X available” with the link Renew your license to update, which opens the product page in a new tab.

If you start an update while the license is not active, AddoBase stops with “Your license does not include updates for X right now. Renew it on addocore.com, then try again.” The installed version keeps its settings and data. Renewals and failed payments are explained in free trials and plugin licenses.

AddoBase itself always gets updates, also on a site that is not connected and has no license key. Such a site asks addocore.com for the latest AddoBase version at most every 6 hours and sends nothing about the site. See what AddoBase sends to AddoCore.

How do updates and support work with a lifetime license?

A lifetime license is a one-time purchase for a number of sites. It runs until the plugin reaches its end of life and includes 12 months of basic support. Extra support years are sold per plugin. AddoBase shows both periods in the License column of the add-ons table:

• Updates until end of life: you get every new version until the plugin’s end of life.
• Support until <date>: the day your support ends. After that day the column reads Support ended. The plugin keeps working, and you can buy another support year on addocore.com.

A one-time purchase with a fixed update period shows “Updates until <date>” instead. From 30 days before that date a Renew updates button appears. After the date the column reads “Updates ended on <date>. The plugin keeps working.” A newer version then shows as “Version X available” with “Your update period has ended. Renew your updates to install this version.”

What happens when an add-on reaches its end of life?

AddoCore announces a plugin’s end of life at least 6 months ahead. From then on the AddoBase screen shows a notice above the add-ons table: “<plugin> reaches its end of life on <date>. It keeps working after that, without updates or support.”

After that date the notice reads “<plugin> reached its end of life on <date>. It keeps working on its last version, without updates or support.” The License column of a lifetime license then reads “Updates ended on <date>. The plugin keeps working.” Nothing is switched off or removed, and your settings and data stay where they are.

What can stop AddoBase updates from installing?

Most failures come with a message on the AddoBase screen:

• “X is already up to date.” The installed version is already the latest, for example after an update from the Plugins screen. Nothing to do.
• “Development checkout: update it with git.” The plugin folder is a symlink, a Windows junction or contains a .git folder. AddoBase never overwrites a working copy.
• “You are not allowed to update plugins on this site.” Your user lacks update_plugins. With DISALLOW_FILE_MODS set in wp-config.php, WordPress takes this capability away from every user; deploy the zip through your own process then.
• “This download link is invalid, has expired, or the license is no longer active.” The link was older than 6 hours or the license ended. Click Check now and try again.

One case shows no message. When the last successful check is more than 96 hours old, AddoBase no longer trusts its state and offers no add-on updates at all. AddoBase updates return as soon as a check succeeds again; troubleshooting AddoBase covers the causes.

Which versions do AddoBase updates require?

AddoBase needs WordPress 6.5 or newer and PHP 8.1 or newer. Every release also carries its own requirements and a “tested up to” version, which WordPress shows under View details. Add-ons declare Requires Plugins: addobase, so WordPress keeps AddoBase in place while an add-on depends on it.

Should you update AddoBase or the add-on first?

Update AddoBase first when both have a new version, because the add-ons run on top of it. After that, update the add-ons one by one from the AddoBase screen or all at once from Dashboard → Updates.

AddoBase updates install like any WordPress plugin update; the only extra rule is the license for add-ons. For the overview of how the core and the add-ons fit together, read what is AddoBase.