WP # check and clean project removing no used plugins/acf

wp-cleanup.md

WordPress Admin Cleanup Checklist

A fast and safe workflow to review a WordPress/WooCommerce admin and remove unused plugins, ACF groups, CPTs, and clutter.

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1. Generate a Plugin Inventory

List all plugins:

wp plugin list

Detailed list:

wp plugin list --format=table

Look for:

• inactive plugins
• duplicate functionality
• old migration/import plugins
• abandoned tools
• debugging plugins
• page builder leftovers

Delete inactive plugins:

wp plugin delete $(wp plugin list --status=inactive --field=name)

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2. Review Active Plugins

Check each plugin and ask:

• Is it still used?
• Is there overlap with another plugin?
• Is it only for temporary migration/import?
• Is WooCommerce already handling this functionality?

Common cleanup candidates:

• duplicate SEO plugins
• old cache plugins
• old security plugins
• staging/migration plugins
• import/export tools
• unused payment/shipping plugins

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3. Audit ACF Field Groups

List all field groups:

SELECT post_title, post_status
FROM wp_posts
WHERE post_type = 'acf-field-group';

Check whether groups are still used in:

• templates
• Gutenberg blocks
• Flexible Content
• Options pages
• WooCommerce customizations

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4. Search Code for ACF Usage

Search theme/plugin files:

grep -R "get_field(" wp-content/themes/
grep -R "the_field(" wp-content/themes/
grep -R "acf_add_local_field_group" wp-content/

Search for specific field names:

grep -R "field_name_here" wp-content/

If nothing references the field/group and editors do not use it, it may be removable.

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5. Clean Orphaned ACF JSON

Check:

wp-content/themes/YOUR_THEME/acf-json/

Look for:

• duplicate field groups
• old renamed groups
• abandoned experiments
• invalid JSON

Remove stale JSON carefully.

Then sync only valid field groups in admin.

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6. Audit Custom Post Types (CPTs)

List CPTs:

wp post-type list

Check number of posts:

wp post list --post_type=YOUR_TYPE --format=count

Candidates for removal:

• zero posts
• no frontend usage
• no archive/template
• no menu references

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7. Review WooCommerce Extensions

Look for unused:

• payment gateways
• shipping methods
• quote plugins
• inventory sync plugins
• feed/export plugins

Also review:

• scheduled actions
• webhooks
• cron events

List cron events:

wp cron event list

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8. Review Admin Menus

Remove unnecessary admin clutter:

• plugin upsells
• abandoned settings pages
• duplicate menu items
• old forms/builders
• hidden ACF options pages

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9. Detect Old Database Tables

List tables:

wp db tables

Look for old plugin leftovers:

Examples:

• wp_actionscheduler_*
• wp_oldplugin_*
• wp_backup_*
• wp_revslider_*
• wp_aiowps_*

Always verify before deleting.

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10. Use Query Monitor

Install temporarily:

https://wordpress.org/plugins/query-monitor/

Useful for spotting:

• slow plugins
• excessive queries
• unnecessary hooks
• scripts/styles loading everywhere

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11. Safe Cleanup Workflow

Always before cleanup:

• backup database
• backup uploads
• backup theme/plugins

Recommended process:

1. deactivate plugin
2. test frontend
3. test admin
4. wait/verify
5. permanently remove

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12. Recommended Tracking Spreadsheet

Track cleanup progress:

Item	Used?	Where?	Remove?
Plugin	yes/no	checkout/admin/frontend	yes/no
ACF Group	template/block	location	yes/no
CPT	archive/posts	frontend	yes/no

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Fastest High-Impact Cleanup

If short on time, prioritize:

1. Delete inactive plugins
2. Remove unused ACF groups
3. Remove old import/migration plugins
4. Remove duplicate SEO/cache/security plugins
5. Remove orphaned CPTs
6. Clean Action Scheduler clutter

This usually removes most admin clutter quickly.