Description
Admin Code Search is a lightweight developer tool that lets you search code directly from the WordPress admin area — no FTP or terminal access required.
It scans active plugins, themes, and MU plugins line-by-line and shows matching results with file paths and line numbers.
Designed for quick debugging, code tracing, and locating specific hooks, functions, or strings across a site.
A simple, fast code search tool for developers working inside WordPress.
Why use Admin Code Search?
Searching through plugin and theme files manually is slow and often requires FTP, file manager access, or local copies.
Admin Code Search brings that functionality directly into wp-admin, allowing you to:
- Search plugin, theme, and MU plugin code instantly
- Locate functions, hooks, and strings across files
- Debug third-party plugins more efficiently
- Work directly on live environments without leaving WordPress
Features
- Search inside active plugins, themes, and MU plugins
- Case-sensitive or case-insensitive search
- Partial match, whole word match, or match entire line exactly
- Custom file extensions (e.g. php, js, css)
- Line-by-line scanning for better performance on large codebases
- Displays file path, line number, and highlighted match
- Shows result count summary
- Limits broad searches to the first 500 matches
- Includes a Clear button to reset the search form and results
- Excludes common heavy directories (vendor, node_modules, uploads, cache, .git, .svn)
- Admin-only access for security
Typical Use Cases
- Locate where a function or hook is defined
- Find all occurrences of a specific string
- Debug custom integrations or third-party plugins
- Debug issues without FTP access
- Quickly explore unfamiliar codebases without leaving wp-admin
Who is this for?
- WordPress developers
- Freelancers working on client sites
- Agencies maintaining multiple projects
- Anyone who needs quick code search inside WordPress
Notes
Large searches may take longer on sites with many plugins or large codebases. Results are processed in real time.
To keep output manageable, the plugin limits results to the first 500 matches and shows a warning when that limit is reached.
Privacy
This plugin does not send any data to external services.
Screenshots
Admin Code Search interface in Tools Code Search 
Search input with custom file extensions 
Results showing matches across plugin and theme files 
Detailed result with file path, line number, and highlighted match
Installation
- Upload the plugin folder to
/wp-content/plugins/ - Activate the plugin through the Plugins screen in WordPress
- Go to Tools > Code Search
- Enter a search term and run a search
FAQ
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Who can use this plugin?
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Only administrators or users with the
manage_optionscapability. -
What files are searched?
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The plugin scans active plugin files, the active theme, the parent theme (if different), and MU plugins.
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What is the difference between the match modes?
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Partial match finds the search term anywhere within a line.
Whole word match finds the term as a distinct word, which is useful for function and hook names.
Match entire line exactly only returns results where the entire trimmed line exactly matches the search term.
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Can I search file types other than PHP?
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Yes. You can enter comma-separated extensions such as
php,js,css,inc. -
Will this affect site performance?
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Search runs on demand and only when triggered by an admin. On very large sites, searches may take a few seconds.
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Why do I only see 500 results?
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To keep searches fast and useful, the plugin limits output to the first 500 matches. If that limit is reached, refine your search term or narrow the search scope.
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Does it search WordPress core files?
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No. The plugin is limited to plugins, themes, and MU plugins.
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Is this plugin safe to use on production sites?
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Yes. It is read-only and does not modify any files or data.
Contributors & Developers
“Admin Code Search” is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin.
Contributors
Translate “Admin Code Search” into your language.
Interested in development?
Browse the code, check out the SVN repository, or subscribe to the development log by RSS.
Changelog
1.2.2
- Added whole word match.
- Renamed exact line match to “Match entire line exactly” for clarity.
- Added a 500-result limit for broad searches.
- Added a warning when the result limit is reached.
- Added a Clear button to reset the search form and results.
1.2.1
- Added whole word match option.
- Renamed exact line match option to “Match entire line exactly” for clarity.
- Improved match mode labeling in the search results.
1.2.0
- Added partial match and exact line match options.
- Added MU Plugins scanning option.
- Improved search controls for better precision.
1.1.0
- Added case-sensitive search option.
- Added result count summary.
- Improved scanner handling for readable files.
1.0.0
- Initial public release.