Multisite – when to network activate plugins or site activate

  • I’m developing a multisite whereby we are providing members a free preconfigured site in our genre. In addition, our main site will provide resources and tools that the subsites can access. It is not always clear to me when I need to network activate plugins.

    For example, I just downloaded the plugin list_category_posts so that I can create category pages. I am creating a templated site, complete with all menus, categories, content, etc. which will then be copied and used as the default theme for new users. In regards to list_category_posts, should I just activate in the template site and the changes created with the plugin will be carried over through the default theme or do I need to network activate? There are a few of these that have me confused. Our users will not have access to plugins/settings. I’m sure this will work with the network activation, I’m just wondering if I am adding substantial bloat to each site unnecessarily.

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  • Moderator Ipstenu (Mika Epstein)

    (@ipstenu)

    ?????? Advisor and Activist

    It is not always clear to me when I need to network activate plugins.

    When appropriate. Yeah, that was a terrible answer.

    Not ALL plugins SHOULD be network activated. So you have to activate them that when when you NEED them to start out as on for all sites. BuddyPress? Network Activate. Akismet? network activate. W3TC? Single Site Activate.

    Also, unless you’re using another plugin to do this, plugin settings are NOT generally copied over with new sites.

    In regards to list_category_posts, should I just activate in the template site and the changes created with the plugin will be carried over through the default theme or do I need to network activate?

    If you have a template site, then DO NOT NETWORK ACTIVATE those plugins you’re setting up as active on the template site.

    If a plugin says “network activate” then do so
    If it does not, then don’t. If it’s not tagged with multisite or wpmu or the dev has never tired it, then do not network activate unless you want to try and debug it.

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