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Debug Bar Rewrite Rules

By Oleg Butuzov

Site Administration & Utilities / Site Health & Diagnostics

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

Trusted WordPress expert with 20+ years of experience evaluating plugins for the WP ecosystem.

Debug Bar Rewrite Rules Review - In-Depth Analysis

Debug Bar Rewrite Rules enhances the Debug Bar by adding a panel for WordPress Rewrite Rules information.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.83/10

User Rating

5/5 (based on 5+ reviews)

Active Installations

700+

Update Frequency

Below Average It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

1 / 10 (Very Low Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

Debug Bar Rewrite Rules adds information about Rewrite Rules changed via filters to a new panel in the Debug Bar. This plugin is an extension for Debug Bar but can also work in standalone mode as an admin tools page. Note: this plugin cannot track add_rewrite_rule function calls, as this function is untraceable.

Once installed, you will have access to the following information:

Number of existing rewrite rules, list of rewrite rules, list of available filter hooks that can affect rewrite rules, list of filters that affect rewrite rules, ability to search in rules with highlighting matches, ability to test a URL and see what rules can be applied to it, and ability to flush rules directly from the debug bar panel/tools page.

Comparing to Alternatives

Debug Bar Rewrite Rules stands alone in its category with no close direct alternatives available, making it a unique tool for debugging rewrite rules in WordPress.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Seamless integration with the Debug Bar plugin.
Provides detailed and well-organized information on rewrite rules.
Allows testing of URLs to see matching rules and query arguments.
Highly responsive developer support with quick issue resolution.
Saves significant time by displaying all matching rewrite rules for a URL.

Weaknesses

Limited to users who already use or are willing to use the Debug Bar plugin.
No pro version or advanced premium features available.
Niche functionality may not appeal to general WordPress users.

User Sentiment Analysis

With a perfect 5-star rating from all reviewers, user feedback is overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the plugin's usefulness and ease of use.

Positive highlights

"Really nice tool for working with rewrite_urls array and permalinks customizations." — miaugav
"Good visual presentation of data. More information and better organization than Rewrite Rules Inspector." — Gleb Kemarsky
"Extremely useful for examining existing rules and testing URLs; developer fixed issues quickly." — mgfotiades
"Ability to quickly display all rules that match a URL saved me a lot of time." — ladislavdurchanek
"Makes it so easy to debug and discover WP rewrite rules." — Rasso Hilber

Common complaints

Weaknesses

No advanced features beyond the free offering.
Requires familiarity with debugging tools to fully benefit.
Limited appeal outside developers or advanced users.

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Developers and advanced WordPress users who need a reliable and detailed tool to debug and analyze rewrite rules efficiently.

Not ideal for

Casual WordPress users or those unfamiliar with debugging concepts, as the plugin requires some technical knowledge and offers niche functionality.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version provides comprehensive debugging capabilities for rewrite rules, including viewing, testing, and analyzing rules within the Debug Bar.

Final Verdict

Debug Bar Rewrite Rules is a highly effective and well-supported plugin that excels at providing detailed insights into WordPress rewrite rules. Its flawless user ratings reflect its value to developers needing precise debugging tools without cost.

While it lacks a pro version and direct alternatives, its unique capabilities and seamless integration with the Debug Bar make it an essential tool for advanced users. Casual users may find it too specialized, but for its target audience, it is an excellent choice.