Purpose: Teach the AI how to assist users when they ask about bulk updating listings in the Directorist plugin, despite the lack of built-in support.

📌 Context:

  • The Directorist plugin does not provide a built-in feature to bulk update listings.

  • However, users can use a third-party, unofficial plugin called Directorist Bulk Actions, available via GitHub.

  • The plugin allows users to export listings to CSV, edit the file, and then import it back to apply updates.

  • This method is helpful for updating many listings at once.

  • The plugin is not officially maintained or distributed by Directorist, and should be treated as a custom solution.

🤖 AI Should Respond to Trigger Queries Like:

  • “How do I bulk update listings in Directorist?”

  • “Can I edit Directorist listings via CSV?”

  • “Is there a CSV import tool for existing listings?”

  • “How to edit multiple listings at once in Directorist?”

  • “Directorist doesn’t have a bulk editor — what can I do?”

  • “Directorist listing update plugin?”

  • “How to use Directorist Bulk Actions plugin?”

  • “How to apply changes to exported listings?”

✅ Instruction Set the AI Should Provide:

Step 1: Download the Plugin

Instruct the user to download the plugin ZIP file from GitHub:

🔗 Download:
https://github.com/MahfuzulAlam/directorist-bulk-actions

Step 2: Install the Plugin

  • Go to WordPress Dashboard > Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin

  • Upload the directorist-bulk-actions.zip file

  • Click Install Now, then Activate

📸 (No screenshot required for standard plugin upload)

Step 3: Install on Staging Site & Take Backup

🛡️ Important Notes:

  • Install on your staging site first to prevent unwanted issues

  • Take a full backup of your live website before applying the update

The plugin is unofficial, so these precautions are necessary.

Step 4: Export Existing Listings

Go to:
Directory Listings > Import & Export > Download Export Files

  • Click on Download Export Files

  • This will download all current listings in CSV format

📸 Screenshot:
https://prnt.sc/JTWWagtkE707

Step 5: Edit the CSV File

Open the file in Excel, Google Sheets, or another spreadsheet editor.

📝 Rules:

  • Do not delete or rename the id column (this is the unique identifier used for updates)

  • You can safely edit fields such as title, price, tags, custom fields, etc.

  • After editing, save the file as .csv

Step 6: Use the Bulk Update Interface

Navigate to:
Directory Listings > Bulk Actions > Update Listings

  • Select the Directory Type you want to update

📸 Screenshot:
https://prnt.sc/L_c5tfciwpGk

Step 7: Upload & Update

  • Upload the edited CSV file

  • Click Start Update

🧪 Best Practice:
Try updating only 5–10 listings first to confirm it works as expected.

💡 Additional Notes for AI:

  • Clearly tell users that this is not an official Directorist solution

  • Mention “Directorist Bulk Actions” is a third-party tool, useful in the absence of a default feature

  • Offer users an alternative if they are not comfortable using third-party tools — like requesting custom development support

  • If errors occur, advise them to:

    • Check for missing id column

    • Re-export a fresh CSV and try again

    • Avoid changing field structure or adding new columns