Pro Plugin Setup

WPChef Tracker Pro

Use this setup flow for GPS attendance, geofencing, departments, locations, shift templates, HR approvals, payroll-ready exports, manager dashboards, notifications, webhooks, and REST API access.

Requirements

WordPress

WordPress 6.2 or higher.

PHP

PHP 7.4 or higher.

HTTPS

Required for reliable browser GPS permission on most modern browsers.

Standalone plugin: WPChef Tracker Pro does not require the Free plugin, Gravity Forms, GravityView, WooCommerce, or another form plugin.

Recommended setup order

Install and activate Pro.
Upload the Pro ZIP through Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin. Activate WPChef Tracker Pro.
Review global settings.
Go to WPChef Tracker Pro > Settings. Configure default timezone, geofence, Google Maps API key, missing clock-out detection, frontend table reload seconds, email notifications, notification emails, and webhook URL.
Create departments.
Go to Departments. Departments are used for filters, reports, payroll exports, employee assignment, and manager dashboards.
Create locations.
Go to Locations. Add name, address, latitude, longitude, radius meters, and timezone.
Create shift templates.
Go to Shift Templates. Add start/end time, late/early grace rules, overtime rule, missing clock-out rule, and explanation requirement.
Create employees and managers.
Go to Employees or use the frontend manager dashboard. Assign role, department, location, and shift.
Create the employee clock page.
Add [wpchef_tracker] to a protected Divi page.
Create the manager dashboard page.
Add [wpchef_tracker_manager] to a protected Divi page for managers, HR admins, and administrators.

Pro settings explained

Setting	What it controls	Recommended setup
Default Timezone	Fallback timezone for users without a location timezone.	Use your main payroll timezone.
Geofence	When enabled, employees must be inside the assigned location radius for attendance actions.	Enable for field teams, offices, clinics, and location-based attendance.
Google Maps API Key	Used for address autocomplete, map preview, latitude/longitude lookup, static map previews, and timezone lookup.	Add a restricted Google Maps key for your domain.
Missing Clock-Out	Auto-detects long open shifts using each shift template's auto clock-out rule.	Keep enabled so HR can review missing clock-outs.
Frontend Table Auto Reload	Refreshes employee and manager frontend attendance tables every X seconds.	Default is 30 seconds. Minimum is 10 seconds.
Email Notifications	Sends attendance event notifications to the site admin and optional extra addresses.	Enable and add HR/payroll addresses if needed.
Webhook URL	Sends attendance events as JSON to an external endpoint.	Use for integrations with payroll, reporting, or automation tools.

Google Maps setup

For the best Pro experience, configure a Google Maps API key and restrict it to your website domain in Google Cloud.

Maps JavaScript API and Places library: address autocomplete and map preview.
Time Zone API: automatic timezone detection from latitude and longitude.
Static Maps API: map preview images inside attendance tables when coordinates are available.

GPS permission: Employees must allow browser location access when using GPS/geofence features. HTTPS is strongly recommended for live sites.

Departments, locations, and shifts

Departments

Add a department name and details. Departments appear in attendance filters, payroll reports, staff assignments, dashboards, and exports.

Locations

Add location name, address, coordinates, radius meters, and timezone. The employee's assigned location controls timezone and geofence validation.

Shift templates

Define start/end time, late grace, early clock-in grace, early clock-out grace, late clock-out grace, overtime after minutes, missing clock-out after minutes, and explanation requirements.

User roles created by Pro

Role	Capability summary	Best for
WPChef Tracker Employee	Can use the employee time clock.	Regular staff and field employees.
WPChef Tracker Manager	Can clock and manage team attendance.	Supervisors and payroll reviewers.
WPChef Tracker HR Admin	Can clock, manage team records, and manage all Pro setup areas.	HR, payroll, and system admins.
Administrator	Receives all Pro capabilities.	WordPress site owners and technical admins.

Launch checklist: Create test employee, assign department/location/shift, test GPS permission, test clock in/out, approve/reject a record, export Payroll CSV, and verify manager dashboard access before inviting all employees.