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Suma Smart Plugin Manager

Compatibility bridge that allows Smart Plugin Manager update requests to run even when update-blocking plugins are active.

Overview​

Suma Smart Plugin Manager is a must-use WordPress plugin that ensures WP Engine Smart Plugin Manager (SPM) can complete update checks and update runs on sites where third-party plugins block WordPress core update APIs.

Without this bridge, update-blocking plugins can prevent SPM from reading or writing update transients, calling plugin update APIs, or scheduling update tasks. This plugin selectively removes those blockers only during SPM runtime.

Type: Must-Use Plugin (mu-plugin)
Primary File: spm-update-compatibility.php

What It Is For​

  • Keep automated plugin updates running through WP Engine Smart Plugin Manager
  • Avoid false update failures caused by aggressive update-disabling plugins
  • Limit compatibility changes to SPM requests only, so normal site behavior is preserved

How It Works​

During WordPress bootstrap, the plugin:

  1. Detects whether the current request is an SPM request
  2. Checks whether known update-blocker classes are loaded
  3. Removes specific filter callbacks that block plugin/theme/core update flows
  4. Clears plugins_api filters only in SPM context so update metadata can be retrieved

Smart Plugin Manager Request Detection​

The plugin treats a request as SPM context when one of the following is true:

  • AUTOUPDATER_IN_PROGRESS constant is defined and true
  • autoupdater=api plus required WP Engine endpoint/signature parameters are present
  • Request action is autoupdater_api

Installation (MU Plugins Directory)​

Install this as a must-use plugin in the site root:

wp-content/mu-plugins/

Steps​

  1. Copy spm-update-compatibility.php into wp-content/mu-plugins/
  2. Confirm file permissions match other mu-plugins on the server
  3. Verify the file appears in WordPress Admin under Plugins > Must-Use
  4. Run or wait for the next Smart Plugin Manager cycle and confirm updates process successfully

Notes​

  • Mu-plugins are auto-loaded by WordPress and do not require manual activation
  • This plugin is intentionally scoped to SPM requests to reduce side effects
  • Test on staging before production rollout when update-management plugins are present