Quick Start

Install Vexal plugins in a recommended order, complete first admin setup for each product, then follow each product’s step-by-step workflow. Each plugin works standalone; integrations are optional.

Prerequisites

• WordPress — self-hosted site with admin access (manage_options for full Vexal admin)
• PHP — 8.0+ recommended (Local, managed hosts, or equivalent)
• Plugin source — WileyLabs plugin repository, release ZIP, or your agency’s approved install channel
• Optional: SearchAsist / Vexal Engine credentials for AI alt text, vision metadata, and remote video optimization (configure in SmartBlocks Integrations or Vexal Media → Settings)

You do not need all three plugins. Install only what your site requires:

Recommended setup order

When deploying the full ecosystem, configure plugins in this sequence so intelligence, media processing, and portfolio intake stack cleanly:

1. Vexal SmartBlocks — visibility scoring, recommendations, ledger baseline
2. Vexal Media — media readiness, optimization, shared taxonomy with Portfolio
3. Vexal Portfolio — projects, showcases, client uploader (requires Media for processing)

See how products connect for the integration map.

Step 1 — Vexal SmartBlocks

1. Install and activate vexal-smartblocks (Plugins → Add New Plugin or WileyLabs repository).
2. Open WordPress admin → Vexal (main dashboard).
3. Open Vexal → Vexal AI Visibility for the visibility hub (campaigns, ledger, telemetry links).
4. Edit a key landing page or post — review the SmartBlocks readiness metabox in the editor.
5. Optional: configure Integrations (SearchAsist / GSC) from the SmartBlocks admin hub when AI or external signals are needed.

First actions checklist:

• Review Page Readiness on 2–3 priority URLs
• Visit Visibility Ledger → Snapshots for a site baseline
• Address high-impact recommendations before running a batch campaign

SmartBlocks getting started → · Step-by-step workflow →

Step 2 — Vexal Media

1. Install and activate vexal-media. No SmartBlocks dependency.
2. Open WordPress admin → Vexal Media → Dashboard.
3. Review Site Media Readiness score and signal counts.
4. Open Vexal Media → Settings — set optimization defaults; add Vexal Engine client ID and API key if AI alt or remote video processing is required.
5. Optional: open Vexal Media → Videos to register and optimize video assets for the [vexal_video] shortcode.

First actions checklist:

• Run Missing alt Apply Fix batch on high-traffic images
• Run Oversized images fix if payload is high
• If SmartBlocks is active, confirm ledger snapshots include media readiness after fixes

Vexal Media getting started → · Step-by-step workflow →

Step 3 — Vexal Portfolio

1. Install and activate vexal-portfolio. Ensure Vexal Media is active for uploader processing.
2. Open WordPress admin → Vexal Portfolio → Dashboard.
3. Review Gallery Types and Categories (defaults ship with 14+ gallery types).
4. Open Vexal Portfolio → Settings — enable Project Workspace if you need the client uploader (workspace_enabled; default: off).
5. Confirm the workspace services strip shows Vexal Media processing ready (credentials live in Vexal Media → Settings, not Portfolio).
6. Place [vexal_project_uploader] on a client-facing page when intake is ready.

First actions checklist:

• Create or import a Project (vxp_portfolio) record
• Assign projects to a Showcase and publish with [vexal_portfolio id="slug"]
• After client uploads, filter Media Library by Vexal Gallery and review gallery pools

Vexal Portfolio getting started → · Step-by-step workflow → · Project Uploader guide →

Product guide workflow sections

API and credential rule

Not yet production-ready

• Vexal Hub — multi-site account layer; no Hub transport in SmartBlocks v1
• Portfolio publishing sync — uploaded media does not auto-publish to public showcases in Phase 1
• Portfolio Workspace tabs — Overview, Story, Publishing, Visibility (Phase 1: Media tab placeholder only)