Applies to Media Sentry core 0.1.2 and Pro 0.1.0.
Requirements
The plugin headers require WordPress 6.0 or newer and PHP 7.4 or newer. Use a supported hosting environment that meets those minimums. You need an account with the WordPress manage_options capability, normally an administrator, to access Media Sentry. Inventory needs readable local uploads; cleanup and restore also need appropriate filesystem write access. Similar-image analysis depends on PHP GD and its ability to decode the image.
The current default image inventory supports JPEG, PNG, GIF, and WebP. WooCommerce product checks are useful for stores; the general image audit does not require a store.
Install Free
- Make a current database and files backup. For an existing site, first evaluate the plugin on a staging copy.
- Obtain the release ZIP from the supplied release/download channel. In WordPress, use Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin, choose the ZIP, install it, and activate Media Sentry. These instructions do not imply a WordPress.org listing.
- Open Media Sentry > System and inspect the schema and uploads checks. Resolve missing tables or unreadable uploads before relying on an audit.
- Open Media Sentry > Setup Baseline.
Upgrades from Liberty Forge Admin Toolkit retain the legacy directory and command names. Follow Backups and Updates; do not install a second copy just to rename the folder.
Complete the Baseline
Run the displayed steps in order, waiting for each step to finish:
- Inventory Media records Media Library attachments and upload files.
- Map Usage finds references in supported content and settings.
- Reconcile Derivatives summarizes generated image sizes separately.
- Analyze Duplicates hashes original files and groups matches.
- Classify & Protect applies the saved usage and duplicate evidence.
- Product Health summarizes product image issues.
- System Summary / Baseline Complete records the final summary.
The page shows status, batch, completion time, duration, and saved output. A running step uses background workers; leaving the page does not deliberately cancel it. Actual progress depends on the host running WordPress scheduled events. A stale or failed step is not a completed baseline. Use the displayed rerun action after resolving the cause, and rerun dependent steps flagged as needing updates.
Audits do not move or delete image files. They do write Media Sentry's inventory and reports to the database.
First Review
Open Media Library to investigate usage, then Unused Media to review images with no detected use. Open each image's detail and check its evidence. Use Protect for images you know must remain, or Ignore to set aside a review item. Review Duplicates, Product Health, and System before considering cleanup.
After media or content changes, the Dashboard provides Refresh Inventory, Refresh Usage Map, Rebuild Duplicates, and Refresh Product Health. Check Setup Baseline afterward for dependent steps needing a rerun. Reports represent saved scans, not continuous monitoring.
Add Pro
Pro is a separate add-on and requires the compatible free core to remain active. Install the supplied Pro ZIP as a second plugin and activate it. Quarantine and delete also require a valid cleanup entitlement. Exact license entry, activation, deactivation, and site-transfer instructions remain draft pending the launch activation UI. Installing the add-on alone must not be treated as proof of entitlement.
See pricing and maintenance and the implemented cleanup workflow.