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Active plugins

Active plugins are the plugins that are switched on, the ones WordPress loads every time it runs. Each active plugin adds features, and each one adds code that runs on your site.

Why it matters

Section titled “Why it matters”

Every active plugin is loaded on every request that reaches WordPress: pages that don’t come from a page cache, the admin area, background tasks. A plugin that only adds a contact form to one page may still load its code everywhere.

The number alone says little. Ten well-built plugins can weigh less than one heavy one. What matters is what each plugin does on every request: how many database queries it runs, whether it loads stylesheets and scripts on every page, whether it calls other services while the page is built. Still, a count that keeps rising is worth a look, because each addition is one more thing to keep updated and compatible.

What influences it

Section titled “What influences it”

WordPress: Each plugin you install and activate adds to the count. Some plugins need other plugins to work, and add-ons for larger plugins often come as separate plugins. Plugins that were installed for a single task, such as a migration or a test, and then forgotten often stay active for years.

In Permo

Section titled “In Permo”

The Active plugins card is in System info, tab WordPress, under Plugins. It shows the number of active plugins and, in the note, the number of inactive ones. Permo counts them the same way the Plugins screen does: must-use plugins and drop-ins aren’t included, because they don’t appear in that count. The card gives context; Permo doesn’t rate it.

Further down, the Active plugins list shows each plugin with its version and one status: closed on WordPress.org, update available, no update for two years, tested up to an older WordPress version, not checked yet, premium or custom, or OK. For plugins from the directory, it also shows the last update, the WordPress version they were tested up to and the number of active installs. Under Changes, System info records when a plugin is installed, activated, updated, deactivated or deleted.

Section titled “Related”

Sources