Install the plugin

In WordPress, open Plugins → Add New Plugin and search for DawsonyWeb – Admin Utilities. Choose Install Now, then Activate.

Alternatively, download the free ZIP using the button on this page. In Plugins → Add New Plugin → Upload Plugin, select the ZIP, install it and activate. You do not need an account or a licence key.

Choose your modules

Open Tools → Dawsony Utilities. Enable the modules you want and select Save Modules. Enabled modules expose their own settings tabs.

Start with copy buttons and the environment badge. Add notices, dashboard controls or branding when you have a use for them.

Choose the Admin Utilities modules for your site.

Save and reuse handover presets

Open Import / Export after saving your module and branding settings. Name the current configuration and select Save current configuration. You can keep up to 10 presets on this site.

Apply preset replaces module switches, role visibility, dashboard widget restrictions and branding. Review branding URLs for this site. Current notice content, maintenance schedules and personal preferences stay unchanged. Undo last preset application restores the previous portable fields once. Deleting a preset removes its saved configuration. Keep a JSON export for a separate backup.

Save named handover presets, apply them and undo the last application.

Make the environment clear

Open the environment badge settings and choose which roles should see it. Save your changes, then check the admin bar using an account with a selected role.

The badge uses the WordPress environment type. A DAWSONY_ENV constant can override it. Set the environment correctly in your site configuration before relying on the badge to distinguish staging from production.

Notices and dashboard widgets

Enable the notice board, then add your message, notice type, intended roles and optional expiry date. Save and check it with a matching user account.

Use the dashboard widget manager to choose which widgets each role sees. Save changes after removing a restriction as well as after adding one.

Branding and client handover

White-label branding, client handoff reports and scheduled maintenance mode are included in Free. Open the relevant enabled module to configure it.

Check login branding in a separate browser session. Review a handoff report before sharing it, and test maintenance schedules on staging before using them on a public site. Scheduled times use the WordPress site timezone. Maintenance mode can affect visitors.

Import, export and diagnostics

Export your configuration before making a larger change or importing settings from another site. Import a valid plugin JSON export of up to 1 MB, then check roles and site-specific settings on the destination.

The debug snapshot helps with support. Review its contents before sharing it publicly. Keep a normal site backup too: a settings export does not back up WordPress content or files.

Updates and support

Updates are delivered through the normal WordPress plugin update screen. Back up your site before updating and test changes on staging where possible. You can enable automatic updates from the Plugins screen if that suits your maintenance process.

If you need help, include the plugin version, WordPress version and the steps needed to reproduce the issue. Remove private customer details, passwords and keys from any screenshot or diagnostic report.

DawsonyWeb – Admin Utilities
Setup and everyday use.