Activation
This guide explains what happens when you activate SpecCart, the menu structure that appears, and where to go next.
Prerequisites
Section titled “Prerequisites”Before activating SpecCart, ensure the following are met:
- WordPress 6.0 or higher
- PHP 8.1 or higher
- WooCommerce 7.0 or higher — must be installed and active
If any of these requirements are not met, SpecCart will display an error notice and prevent activation.
What Happens on Activation
Section titled “What Happens on Activation”When you activate SpecCart, the plugin automatically:
- Creates default settings — sensible defaults for the configurator, prescription upload, and file handling
- Initializes lens options — pre-configured lens types, materials, coatings, and tints so you can start immediately
- Stores default settings — saves configuration options and timestamps
- Flushes rewrite rules — ensures custom endpoints work correctly
- Adds the SpecCart menu — new admin menu with Overview and Settings pages
Default Lens Options
Section titled “Default Lens Options”SpecCart creates these starter options on first activation:
Lens Types:
- Single Vision ($0)
- Bifocal ($50)
- Progressive ($150)
Materials:
- Standard Plastic ($0)
- Polycarbonate ($50, recommended)
- High-Index ($100)
- Trivex ($80)
Coatings:
- Anti-Reflective ($30, popular)
- Scratch Resistant ($20)
- Blue Light Filter ($40, popular)
- UV Protection ($25)
- Photochromic/Transitions ($100)
Tints:
- No Tint ($0)
- Light Tint ($15)
- Medium Tint ($25)
- Dark Tint ($35)
- Gradient Tint ($40)
These defaults let you test the configurator immediately. You can customize all options in SpecCart > Settings.
Admin Menu Structure
Section titled “Admin Menu Structure”After activation, a new SpecCart menu appears in your WordPress admin sidebar (below WooCommerce). It contains:
Overview
Section titled “Overview”The prescription management interface where you can view and manage pending prescriptions. This page shows all orders with lens configurations and allows you to review uploaded prescriptions, verify prescription data, and update prescription status.
Access: SpecCart > Overview
Settings
Section titled “Settings”The global configuration interface with these tabs:
- General — enable/disable configurator, currency, tax handling, default selections
- Branding — customize wizard appearance, button text, colors
- Lens Usage — configure lens type options (single vision, bifocal, progressive)
- Varifocal — advanced progressive lens settings (if applicable)
- Colours — manage tints and color options
- Packages — bundle coatings and materials into preset packages
- Add-ons — optional extras like cleaning kits, cases, warranties
- Prescription — prescription entry settings, upload file types, validation rules
- Restrictions — rules for option compatibility (e.g., “High-Index not available with Bifocal”)
- AI Extraction — configure AI-powered prescription extraction from uploaded images
Access: SpecCart > Settings
First-Time Setup Flow
Section titled “First-Time Setup Flow”After activation, follow this recommended flow:
- Visit SpecCart > Settings > General — verify the configurator is enabled
- Review default lens options — adjust pricing and descriptions to match your offerings
- Customize branding — set button text, colors, and logos in the Branding tab
- Configure prescription settings — set allowed file types, size limits, and validation rules
- Enable on a product — edit any WooCommerce product and click the SpecCart tab in the Product Data panel, then select ‘Enable for this product’ under Lens Configurator
- Test the wizard — visit the product page and walk through the configurator
The configurator is ready to use with defaults, but you should customize pricing and options to match your business before going live.
Accessing Admin Pages
Section titled “Accessing Admin Pages”SpecCart Overview:
- Sidebar: Click SpecCart
- Direct URL:
wp-admin/admin.php?page=speccart
SpecCart Settings:
- Sidebar: Click SpecCart > Settings
- Direct URL:
wp-admin/admin.php?page=speccart-global-settings
Product Configuration:
- Edit any product and click the SpecCart tab in the Product Data panel
Next Steps
Section titled “Next Steps”Once activated, proceed to the Quick Start guide to configure your first lens options and test the customer-facing wizard.
- Quick Start — configure lens options and test the wizard
- Settings Overview — detailed guide to all settings tabs