# Installation

> **TL;DR:** Upload the plugin ZIP file through your WordPress admin at **Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin**, then activate it. The plugin creates its database tables automatically on first activation. No configuration is required before you start.

Install Link Manager Pro on your WordPress site using one of the methods below.

## Prerequisites

- WordPress 5.8 or higher
- PHP 8.0 or higher
- Administrator access to your WordPress dashboard

For full details, see [System Requirements](https://docs.linkmanagerpro.com/getting-started/requirements).

## Method 1: Upload via WordPress Admin (Recommended)

1. Download the `link-manager-pro.zip` file from your purchase confirmation or account page.
2. In your WordPress admin, go to **Plugins → Add New**.
3. Click **Upload Plugin** at the top of the page.
4. Click **Choose File**, select the `.zip` file, then click **Install Now**.
5. After the upload finishes, click **Activate Plugin**.

## Method 2: Manual FTP Upload

1. Download and unzip the `link-manager-pro.zip` file on your computer.
2. Connect to your server using an FTP client (FileZilla, Cyberduck, etc.).
3. Upload the `link-manager-pro` folder to `/wp-content/plugins/`.
4. In your WordPress admin, go to **Plugins**.
5. Find **Link Manager Pro** in the list and click **Activate**.

## What Happens on Activation

When you activate the plugin, three things happen automatically:

1. **Database tables** — The plugin creates the tables it needs for links, clicks, redirects, and other data.
2. **Permissions** — The plugin registers the `manage_link_manager_pro` capability for the Administrator role.
3. **Rewrite rules** — The plugin refreshes WordPress rewrite rules so that masked link URLs (e.g., `yoursite.com/go/slug`) resolve immediately.

When you open the plugin for the first time, the **onboarding wizard** appears. It walks you through initial configuration, privacy settings, and a full site scan. See [Quick Start](https://docs.linkmanagerpro.com/getting-started/quick-start) for a step-by-step walkthrough.

## Verify the Installation

After you complete the onboarding wizard, confirm that everything is working:

1. **Admin menu** — Check that **Link Manager** appears in your WordPress sidebar with these sub-items: Dashboard, Pretty Links, Link Audit, Campaigns, Affiliates, Link Health, and Settings.

2. **Dashboard** — Click **Link Manager** and verify that the Dashboard loads without errors.
3. **Test a masked link** — Create a test link (or use one discovered by the site scan), then visit `yoursite.com/go/your-slug` in a new browser tab. You should be redirected to the destination URL.
4. **Click tracking** — After visiting the test link, return to **Pretty Links** and confirm that the click count incremented.

If any step fails, check [System Requirements](https://docs.linkmanagerpro.com/getting-started/requirements) or contact support at [https://linkmanagerpro.com/support](https://linkmanagerpro.com/support?utm_source=docs&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=installation).