Toolkit Dashboard Guide

Time to complete: 3-5 minutes to understand dashboard layout You'll learn: How to navigate the Toolkit Dashboard and choose the right generation mode for your needs

The Toolkit Dashboard is your central command center for AI Product Tools. This modern, card-based interface provides instant access to all generation modes, real-time system status, and quick navigation to every plugin feature.

Quick Start: Navigate the Dashboard

Step 1: Access the Dashboard

1. Log in to WordPress admin panel

2. Navigate to Products → AI Product Tools → Toolkit

   • Or click AI Product Tools in the WordPress sidebar
   • Dashboard loads as the default landing page

3. View the main dashboard interface:

   • Header with navigation tabs
   • Status indicators (API, credits, provider)
   • Main card grid with generation modes
   • Quick action buttons

Step 2: Understand Dashboard Sections

Header Navigation:

1. Toolkit (current tab) - Main dashboard view
2. Update Notes - Version highlights and new features
3. Onboarding - Setup wizard for new users

Status Bar (right side):

• API Status: Green ✅ (connected) or Red ❌ (disconnected)
• Credit Balance: Shows remaining credits for Advanced mode
• Provider: Current AI provider (OpenRouter/OpenAI/Gemini)

Main Card Grid:

Two primary generation mode cards:

• Standard Bulk Generator (Lightning icon)
• Advanced Bulk Generator (Rocket icon)

Additional feature cards:

• Title Generator (SEO optimization)
• Automation Jobs (scheduled generation)

Step 3: Choose Your Generation Mode

Decision Guide:

1. Click on the card matching your needs

2. Or click the gear icon ⚙️ on any card for direct settings access

3. Read the card description to confirm fit:

   • Standard: "Fast, unlimited bulk generation"
   • Advanced: "Custom variables, HTML formatting, 250 credits/month"

Step 4: Start Your First Generation

1. Click the primary button on your chosen card:

   • Standard: "Start Standard Generation"
   • Advanced: "Start Advanced Generation"

2. Dashboard navigates to the selected tool interface

3. Follow the tool-specific Quick Start guide:

   • Standard Bulk Generator
   • Advanced Bulk Generator

Dashboard Layout In-Depth

Header Section

Navigation Tabs:

• Toolkit: Main dashboard with all generation modes
• Update Notes: Version highlights, new features, improvements
• Onboarding: Guided setup wizard (shown on first install)

Status Indicators:

Main Card Grid

Standard Bulk Generator Card:

🎯 Standard Bulk Generator
Fast, unlimited bulk generation

Features:
✓ Unlimited generations (no credit system)
✓ Fast parallel processing
✓ Basic product filtering
✓ 7 built-in variables

Best for: Large catalogs, quick updates

Advanced Bulk Generator Card:

🚀 Advanced Bulk Generator
Custom variables, HTML formatting

Features:
✓ 250 credits/month (free tier)
✓ Unlimited custom variables
✓ HTML formatting support
✓ Review/approve workflow

Best for: Complex products, brand voice control

Title Generator Card:

📝 Title Generator
SEO-optimized product titles

Features:
✓ Bulk title generation (10-500 products)
✓ Character length control (50-60 chars)
✓ Keyword targeting
✓ 1 credit per title

Best for: SEO optimization, keyword targeting

Automation Jobs Card**:**

⏰ Automation Jobs
Schedule recurring generation

Features:
✓ Hourly, daily, weekly schedules
✓ Product filtering by category/tags
✓ Draft review before publishing
✓ Real-time progress tracking

Best for: Hands-free content maintenance

Footer Section

• Documentation links (Quick Start, API Setup, Troubleshooting)
• Support contact (email, forums)
• Plugin version info with update check

Complete End-to-End Example

Let's navigate the dashboard as a new user deciding which generation mode to use for a WooCommerce electronics store.

Store Context:

• Products: 150 wireless headphones and accessories
• Goal: Generate descriptions for all products
• Attributes: Most products have brand, color, connectivity fields
• Experience: First time using AI Product Tools

Workflow (4 minutes)

Step 1: Access Dashboard (30 seconds)

1. Navigate to Products → AI Product Tools → Toolkit
2. Dashboard loads with 4 main cards visible
3. Header shows:
   • ✅ API Connected (OpenRouter)
   • 250 credits remaining
   • Provider: OpenRouter

Step 2: Evaluate Options (1 minute 30 seconds)

1. Read Standard Bulk Generator card:

   • "Unlimited generations, no credits"
   • "Fast parallel processing"
   • "Best for: Large catalogs"
   • Initial thought: Good for 150 products without credit limits

2. Read Advanced Bulk Generator card:

   • "Custom variables, HTML formatting"
   • "250 credits/month"
   • "Review/approve workflow"
   • Consideration: 150 products × 1 credit = 150 credits (within free tier)

3. Decision: Start with Standard mode for bulk processing, use Advanced mode for premium products later

Step 3: Check Status Indicators (30 seconds)

1. Verify API status: ✅ Green checkmark
2. Check credit balance: 250 credits available (save for Advanced mode later)
3. Confirm provider: OpenRouter with free model configured

Step 4: Navigate to Tool (30 seconds)

1. Click Start Standard Generation button on Standard card
2. Dashboard navigates to Standard Bulk Generator interface
3. Product grid loads with 150 electronics products

Step 5: Return to Dashboard (1 minute)

After completing first generation:

1. Click AI Product Tools in WordPress sidebar
2. Dashboard shows all cards again
3. Now comfortable with layout and options
4. Bookmark dashboard for quick future access

Total time: 4 minutes ✅

Result: User understands dashboard layout, knows which mode to use for different scenarios, and has quick access to all plugin features.

Troubleshooting

Issue: Dashboard not loading or showing blank screen

Symptoms:

• White screen when navigating to Toolkit
• Cards don't appear in main area
• Header loads but no content below
• JavaScript errors in browser console

Cause: JavaScript conflict with other plugins or theme

Solution:

1. Check browser console for errors:

   • Press F12 to open developer tools
   • Go to Console tab
   • Look for errors mentioning "aipt" or "ai-product-tools"
   • Screenshot any errors for support

2. Test for plugin conflicts:

   • Deactivate all plugins except AI Product Tools and WooCommerce
   • Refresh Toolkit Dashboard
   • If dashboard loads, reactivate plugins one by one
   • Identify conflicting plugin and report to support

3. Switch to default theme temporarily:

   • Activate Twenty Twenty-Four theme
   • Refresh dashboard
   • If loads correctly, theme conflict exists
   • Contact theme developer or use different theme

4. Clear WordPress and browser cache:

   • Deactivate caching plugins temporarily
   • Clear browser cache (Ctrl+Shift+Delete)
   • Force refresh (Ctrl+Shift+R)
   • Try accessing dashboard again

5. Check user permissions:

   • Verify you have manage_options capability
   • Log in as Administrator
   • Try accessing dashboard again

Related: Plugin Conflicts

Issue: Credit balance not updating after generation

Symptoms:

• Credit counter shows same number after using Advanced mode
• Generated content successfully but credits unchanged
• Manual refresh doesn't update balance
• Credit display shows "Loading..." indefinitely

Cause: Cache issue or API sync delay

Solution:

1. Force credit refresh:

   • Navigate to AI Product Tools → Settings
   • Scroll to Ctrl Credit System section
   • Click Force Refresh button
   • Wait 5-10 seconds for sync
   • Return to Toolkit Dashboard
   • Credit balance should update

2. Clear plugin transients:

   • Install Query Monitor plugin temporarily
   • Navigate to Tools → Query Monitor → Transients
   • Delete all transients starting with aipt_
   • Refresh Toolkit Dashboard
   • Credits should sync from server

3. Check API connection:

   • Verify API status shows ✅ in header
   • If ❌ appears, credits can't sync
   • Go to Settings → API Settings
   • Re-validate API key
   • Return to dashboard and check balance

4. Wait for automatic sync:

   • Credit system syncs every 5 minutes automatically
   • Wait 5-10 minutes
   • Refresh dashboard
   • Balance should update from server

Related: Credit System

Issue: Can't access Automation Jobs card (grayed out or missing)

Symptoms:

• Automation Jobs card shows "Upgrade Required" message
• Card is visible but button is disabled
• Clicking card shows upgrade modal
• Card completely missing from dashboard

Cause: Free plan limitation - Automation Jobs is Pro-only feature

Solution:

1. Verify current plan:

   • Navigate to AI Product Tools → Account
   • Check plan status under "Your Plan"
   • Free plan: Automation Jobs not included
   • Pro plan: Feature should be accessible

2. Upgrade to Pro plan:

   • Click Upgrade Now button on Automation Jobs card
   • Or navigate to AI Product Tools → Pricing
   • Select Pro plan ($X/month)
   • Complete checkout process
   • Dashboard will refresh with full access

3. Use alternative for Free plan:

   • Use Standard or Advanced Bulk Generator instead
   • Manual bulk generation provides similar results
   • Set reminders to run bulk jobs weekly
   • Upgrade when ready for automation

4. Check Freemius license activation:

   • If you purchased Pro but card still locked
   • Navigate to AI Product Tools → Account
   • Click Activate License button
   • Enter license key from purchase email
   • Dashboard refreshes with Pro features unlocked

Related: Pricing Plans, Automation Jobs

Dashboard Features

Status Monitoring

Real-Time Indicators:

• API Connection:

  • ✅ Green: Connected and ready
  • ⚠️ Yellow: Slow connection or degraded performance
  • ❌ Red: Disconnected or authentication failed

• Credit Balance:

  • Updates after each Advanced mode generation
  • Color-coded: Green (plenty), Yellow (low), Red (exhausted)
  • Resets monthly on signup date

• Provider Status:

  • Shows active AI provider name
  • Model information on hover
  • Quick provider switching via Settings

Quick Actions

Card Actions:

Each card includes:

1. Primary button - Launches the tool
2. Gear icon ⚙️ - Direct settings access
3. Info icon ℹ️ - Tooltip with feature details

Global Actions:

• Refresh API Status - Click API indicator to test connection
• Force Credit Sync - Update balance from server
• Quick Provider Switch - Change AI provider without full settings

Navigation Paths

From Dashboard to:

• Bulk Generation: Click Standard or Advanced card
• Title Generator: Click Title Generator card
• Automation Jobs: Click Automation Jobs card (Pro)
• Settings: Click any gear icon or header Settings link
• Single Product: Products → Edit product → AI Product Tools metabox

To Dashboard from:

• Any plugin page: Click AI Product Tools in sidebar
• WordPress admin: Products → AI Product Tools → Toolkit
• Keyboard: Bookmark admin.php?page=ai-product-tools for quick access

Best Practices

Dashboard Usage

Do's:

• ✅ Bookmark the dashboard for quick access
• ✅ Check status indicators before starting generation
• ✅ Use appropriate mode for each task (Standard vs Advanced)
• ✅ Monitor credit balance when using Advanced mode
• ✅ Return to dashboard to switch between tools

Don'ts:

• ❌ Don't ignore API status warnings (may cause failures)
• ❌ Don't start generation with low/zero credits (Advanced mode)
• ❌ Don't use Advanced mode for simple bulk tasks (wastes credits)
• ❌ Don't forget to refresh credit balance after generation

Workflow Optimization

Efficient Navigation:

1. Bookmark frequently used paths:

   • Toolkit Dashboard: admin.php?page=ai-product-tools
   • Settings: admin.php?page=ai-product-tools-settings
   • Automation: admin.php?page=aipt-automation-jobs

2. Use card quick actions:

   • Gear icon for settings (bypasses Settings page)
   • Info icon for feature comparison
   • Primary button for immediate tool launch

3. Monitor status before tasks:

   • Check API ✅ before bulk operations
   • Verify credits before Advanced mode
   • Confirm provider matches your preference

What You've Learned

Congratulations! You now know how to:

• ✅ Navigate the Toolkit Dashboard and understand its layout
• ✅ Use status indicators to monitor API, credits, and provider
• ✅ Choose between Standard and Advanced generation modes
• ✅ Access quick settings via card gear icons
• ✅ Troubleshoot common dashboard issues (loading, credits, access)
• ✅ Optimize dashboard navigation for efficient workflows

Next Steps

Immediate Actions:

• Start your first bulk generation - Use Standard or Advanced mode
• Try single product generation - Test quality on one product
• Configure settings - Customize prompts and AI behavior

Advanced Workflows:

• Set up automation - Schedule recurring generation
• Generate SEO titles - Optimize product discoverability
• Learn best practices - Master efficient workflows

Related Topics

• Bulk Generation Guide - Standard and Advanced modes explained
• Settings Configuration - Customize dashboard behavior
• Single Product Generation - Quick testing workflow
• Automation Jobs - Schedule automatic generation (Pro)
• Best Practices - Dashboard optimization strategies