First-Time Setup
After activating the plugin, take a few minutes to review these settings. The defaults work for most communities, but it is worth confirming each one before members start using the feature.
Step 1 - Open the settings
Section titled “Step 1 - Open the settings”Go to WP Admin > WB Plugins > BP Status. The first screen is the Overview tab, with links to documentation and support. Click the General tab to begin. The settings are organized into six tabs: Overview, General, Global Status, Feeling Activities, Support, and License.
Step 2 - General settings
Section titled “Step 2 - General settings”You will find three toggles on the General tab. All three are enabled by default.
| Toggle | What it controls |
|---|---|
| Enable status display on user profiles | Shows the current status and status input form on each member’s profile page. |
| Enable status display in members directory | Shows a short snippet of the member’s current status (up to 30 characters) in the members directory. |
| Enable feelings and activities in status updates | Adds the feelings/activity picker to the status form, so members can tag their update with something like “Watching” or “Celebrating”. |
Turn off any toggle you do not need, then click Save Settings.
Step 3 - User role permissions
Section titled “Step 3 - User role permissions”Below the three toggles is a grid of user roles. Check each role that should be allowed to post status updates. Administrators always have access and are not listed here.
Use Select All or Deselect All for quick adjustments. Each role shows the current user count so you can gauge the impact.
Click Save Settings when done.
Step 4 - Global status suggestions (optional)
Section titled “Step 4 - Global status suggestions (optional)”Click the Global Status tab. Out of the box, 20 pre-configured community status suggestions are active (things like “Attending a workshop” or “In a meeting”). Members see these as clickable buttons below the status text area.
You can leave the defaults in place, replace them with your own, or add to them. See Curate global statuses for details.
Step 5 - Feeling activities (optional)
Section titled “Step 5 - Feeling activities (optional)”Click the Feeling Activities tab. Eleven default activities ship with the plugin (Celebrating, Watching, Eating, Drinking, Travelling, Listening, Looking for, Thinking, Reading, Playing, Supporting). You can edit any of them, change their icons, or add new ones.
See Manage feelings and activities for details.
Step 6 - Test the setup
Section titled “Step 6 - Test the setup”- Log in as a regular member (not an admin).
- Visit your BuddyPress profile page.
- Confirm you can see the status text area and, if enabled, the suggestion buttons.
- Post a test status and verify it appears in your status list.
If the form is missing, check that the member’s role is enabled in Step 3.