Documentation
Getting started, the four steps, category tools, and FAQ.
1. Install
In WordPress: Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin, choose the CatalogChef plugin .zip you downloaded, then Activate. Requires WooCommerce, WordPress 5.8+, and PHP 7.4+.
2. Activate your license
Go to CatalogChef → License, paste the license key from your welcome screen, and click Activate. The AI backend is built in — there are no API keys to configure. Your key is valid for the number of stores in your plan.
3. Choose your menu
Go to CatalogChef → Settings and pick the navigation menu whose category structure your products should be filed into. The tool uses your menu to understand your category hierarchy, so products land at every level (e.g. Spirits › Whiskey › Bourbon).
4. The four steps
1 · Categorize
The AI files each draft product into the closest category in your menu. It automatically detects your store type (fashion, electronics, grocery, liquor, and more) and applies the right brand and product knowledge — no configuration needed. It learns from your corrections: fix a brand once and similar products land right from then on, across every store on your license.
2 · Review
Only the items the AI flagged as unsure appear in the review queue. Filter by flagged, missing-photo, or all; edit or bulk-set categories. Every correction teaches the tool.
3 · Add photos
For each product, pick the correct photo from real suggestions. Nothing is attached until you click — images are always human-approved. Photos are white-background cleaned and resized automatically. This step works on any draft missing an image, whether or not it's been categorized.
4 · Publish
Bulk-publish every product that is categorized and has a photo. Nothing goes live until you publish.
5. Category tools
On the main screen you'll find extra one-click tools for keeping your catalog tidy:
Roll-up categories
File products into an extra “catch-all” category automatically — e.g. everything under Spirits, Wine and Beer also shows under a single “All Alcohol” page. Set the rule once; it applies to matching products as you categorize.
Remove a category
Bulk-strip one category from every product that has it — the products keep their other categories. Handy for cleaning up a section you no longer want assigned. (Standard WooCommerce bulk-edit can add categories but can't cleanly remove one — CatalogChef can.)
6. Photo allowance
Categorization is unlimited on all paid plans. Product photos have a generous monthly allowance per plan — Single 2,500 · 3 Stores 7,500 · Unlimited 20,000 (Free tier: 20). A repeat product whose photo was already found (matched by barcode) is served instantly and doesn't count against your allowance.
7. Scope of what's processed
CatalogChef only ever touches draft and pending products — published products are never modified, and SKUs are never changed. By default only in-stock drafts are processed; a toggle on the main screen (right under the counts) lets you include out-of-stock products too.
8. FAQ
Does it change my live products?
No. It only works on drafts and leaves everything as a draft until you choose to publish.
Does it modify SKUs?
Never. SKUs are left untouched.
What store types does it support?
Any WooCommerce store. It auto-detects your vertical from your own categories and applies the matching knowledge.
Can I bulk-remove a category from many products?
Yes — use Remove a category on the main screen. Pick the category and it's removed from every product that has it, keeping their other categories.
Is there a limit on products or photos?
Products and categorization are unlimited on paid plans. Photos have a monthly allowance per plan (Single 2,500 · 3 Stores 7,500 · Unlimited 20,000; Free 20). Repeat photos found for another store don't count.
Can it find photos without categorizing first?
Yes. The Add photos step works on any draft missing an image, independent of its category. (The one-click bulk Publish, however, only picks up products that are both categorized and have a photo.)
Can it process out-of-stock products?
By default it processes in-stock drafts only. Tick “Include out-of-stock products” on the main screen to widen it.
Are my API keys stored in WordPress?
No. All AI runs on our backend; the plugin only holds a license key.
Can I use it on multiple stores?
Yes — up to the number of stores in your plan. Each activated domain counts as one store.
9. Need help?
Email personalaiseo@gmail.com and we'll get back to you.