# Slow wp-admin audit script — Query Monitor (10 minutes)

**Site:** _________________________  
**Environment:** Staging recommended · **Date:** _________________________

> Print or keep open during the audit. **Do not leave Query Monitor active on client production.**

---

## Minutes 0–2 — Baseline without plugins

1. Open wp-admin in a **private window** (browser extensions disabled if possible).
2. Time **3 screens** (median of 2 loads):

| Screen | Typical URL | Time (s) |
|--------|-------------|----------|
| Dashboard | `/wp-admin/index.php` | |
| Content list | `/wp-admin/edit.php` or `?post_type=product` | |
| Editor | New post or product edit | |

3. If **only one** screen is slow → note which. Treatment differs.

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## Minutes 2–4 — DevTools Network

1. F12 → **Network** → check **Disable cache**.
2. Reload the slowest screen.
3. Sort by **Time** descending.
4. Note the **top 5 requests** over 500 ms.

5. Filter `admin-ajax.php` → Payload → **`action`** parameter:

```
Dominant action: _________________________
```

- `heartbeat` → [11 Heartbeat tips](https://volade.com/en/blog/11-astuces-heartbeat-wordpress-2026)
- `woocommerce_*` → Action Scheduler / WC admin
- Plugin name → investigate that plugin first

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## Minutes 4–7 — Query Monitor (staging)

1. Install **Query Monitor** if missing (staging only).
2. Reload the slow screen.
3. QM admin bar → **Queries**:

| Component / plugin | SQL time | Query count |
|--------------------|----------|-------------|
| | | |

4. **Hooks** tab → hooks over 0.3 s:

```
Slow hook: _________________________  (likely plugin: _________)
```

5. **HTTP API** tab → slow external calls (licenses, SaaS pings).

---

## Minutes 7–9 — Plugin Usage Detector

1. Run **Full audit** ([Plugin Usage Detector Volade](https://volade.com/en/cms/wordpress/extensions/plugin-usage-detector-by-volade)).
2. Export JSON → note:

- `likely_unused` plugins: _______
- `infrastructure` (do not remove): _______
- Duplicate roles (2 SEO, 2 cache): _______

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## Minutes 9–10 — Decision & next step

| Root cause | Priority action |
|------------|-----------------|
| Heartbeat + many tabs | HCM preset + close tabs |
| Plugin bloat | PUD → staging removal |
| Slow SQL from plugin X | Disable X on staging, re-measure |
| Slow HTTP API | Defer license checks / replace plugin |
| Everything slow | PHP 8.3 + OPcache + autoload audit |

**Documented next step:** _________________________

**QM disabled before prod:** ☐ Yes

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*Volade · volade.com/en/blog/15-astuces-wp-admin-lent-2026*