Imagify — Complete Technical Summary

🏗️

## 1. Architecture & Bootstrapping

Source code organisation, service loading, and plugin lifecycle.

### Entry point

The plugin starts from `imagify.php`. It defines global constants, includes the Composer autoloader, then hooks the `imagify_init()` function on `plugins_loaded`.

#### Key constants

- `IMAGIFY_VERSION` — plugin version
- `IMAGIFY_PATH` / `IMAGIFY_URL`
- `IMAGIFY_MAX_BYTES` — 5 MB limit per image
- `IMAGIFY_APP_API_URL` — remote API URL
- `IMAGIFY_API_KEY` — override via PHP constant

#### Autoloading & DI

- PSR-4 via Composer (`vendor/autoload.php`)
- Dependency injection: League Container
- Providers declared in `config/providers.php`
- Main class: `Imagify\Plugin`
- Final hook: `do_action('imagify_loaded')`

### Registered Service Providers

User Admin Avif CDN Picture Stats Webp ThirdParty Media Tools

### Initialisation sequence

    // 1. plugins_loaded
    imagify_init()
      └── include vendor/autoload.php
      └── new Imagify\Plugin()
            └── load config/providers.php        // register services
            └── boot Options, Data, Auth
            └── boot Auto-Optimization
            └── (admin only) boot Settings, Views, Imagifybeat
      └── do_action('imagify_loaded')

⚡

## 2. Image optimisation

On-the-fly or bulk compression, quality levels, backup management, and resizing.

### Compression levels

Level | Name | Description
--- | --- | ---
`0` | Normal | Light compression, maximum quality preserved.
`1` | Aggressive | Stronger compression, good quality/size trade-off.
`2` | Ultra (default) | Maximum compression — recommended for most use cases.

All optimisation operations go through the `Imagify\Optimization\File` class, which communicates with the remote Imagify API.

### Automatic optimisation on upload

When the `auto_optimize` option is enabled, the `Imagify_Auto_Optimization` class hooks into `wp_generate_attachment_metadata`. Each uploaded image is optimised immediately, along with all its thumbnails.

### Backup system

- Enabled via the `backup` option.
- The original file is copied before any compression.
- Backup directory is filterable via `imagify_backup_directory`.
- Restoring puts the original back in place and removes optimisation metadata.

### Large image resizing

- Option `resize_larger`: when enabled, images exceeding `resize_larger_w` pixels wide are resized.
- Default value: 2560 px (aligned with the WP filter `big_image_size_threshold`).

### Thumbnail management

All sizes registered in WordPress are optimised. Sizes can be excluded via the `disallowed-sizes` blacklist in the settings.

### Optimisation statuses

success already_optimized error pending

### Metadata stored per attachment

    // Attachment post meta
    _imagify_status          // 'success' | 'already_optimized' | 'error' | 'pending'
    _imagify_data            // JSON — full optimisation results
    _imagify_level           // Level used (0, 1, 2)
    _imagify_next_gen_done   // Boolean — next-gen versions generated

🖼️

## 3. Next-gen formats (WebP / AVIF)

Generation and delivery of modern formats to reduce image weight on the browser side.

### File generation

After optimisation, Imagify can generate WebP and/or AVIF versions of each image. The `optimization_format` option controls this behaviour:

Value | Behaviour
--- | ---
`'off'` | No next-gen format.
`'webp'` | Generates WebP only.
`'avif'` | Generates WebP + AVIF (AVIF takes priority if supported).

### Display method: <picture>

Class: `Imagify\Picture\Display`. The plugin starts an output buffer on `template_redirect`, scans the generated HTML, and replaces each `<img>` with a `<picture>` block containing `<source>` elements pointing to the WebP/AVIF files.

    <!-- Before -->
    <img src="photo.jpg" alt="...">

    <!-- After transformation -->
    <picture>
      <source srcset="photo.avif" type="image/avif">
      <source srcset="photo.webp" type="image/webp">
      <img src="photo.jpg" alt="...">
    </picture>

### Display method: Server rewrite

Class: `Imagify\Webp\Display`. Rather than altering the HTML, rules are written directly into `.htaccess` (Apache) or `web.config` (IIS). The server automatically serves WebP if the browser accepts it (`Accept: image/webp`).

#### Lazy Load compatibility

The `data-lazy-src`, `data-src`, `data-srcset`, `data-lazy-srcset` attributes are detected and propagated into the generated `<source>` and `<img>` tags.

#### Image exclusion

An image with the CSS class `imagify-no-webp` is ignored by the `<picture>` transformation.

Warning: the server rewrite method requires the web server to be Apache or IIS and that the configuration files (.htaccess) be writable.
⚙️

## 4. Settings & configuration

All options stored in `imagify_settings` (wp_options / wp_sitemeta on multisite).

Key | Type | Default | Description
--- | --- | --- | ---
`api_key` | string | `''` | Imagify API key (or the `IMAGIFY_API_KEY` constant).
`optimization_level` | int | `2` | Compression level (0, 1, 2).
`lossless` | bool | `0` | Lossless compression.
`auto_optimize` | bool | `1` | Automatic optimisation on upload.
`backup` | bool | `1` | Back up the original before compression.
`resize_larger` | bool | `0` | Resize images that are too large.
`resize_larger_w` | int | `0` | Maximum width in pixels.
`optimization_format` | string | `'webp'` | `'off'`, `'webp'`, or `'avif'`.
`display_nextgen_method` | string | `'picture'` | `'picture'` or `'rewrite'`.
`cdn_url` | string | `''` | CDN URL for serving media.
`disallowed-sizes` | array | `[]` | Thumbnail sizes excluded from optimisation.
`admin_bar_menu` | bool | `1` | Show Imagify in the admin bar.

The `Imagify_Settings` class handles option registration (`register_setting()`) and validation. It is network-aware: on multisite, network options are stored in `wp_sitemeta`.
🚀

## 5. Bulk optimisation

Batch processing of all existing images, with an asynchronous queue.

### Bulk architecture

The `Imagify\Bulk\Bulk` class orchestrates bulk optimisation. It relies on ActionScheduler (bundled library) to create asynchronous jobs processed in the background.

#### WP Media context

Class: `Imagify\Bulk\WP`

Optimises all attachments in the WordPress media library that have not yet been optimised.

#### Custom Folders context

Class: `Imagify\Bulk\CustomFolders`

Optimises files indexed in the custom folders.

#### NGG context

Class: `Imagify\Bulk\NGG`

Optimises images from NextGEN Gallery galleries.

### Execution flow

    // Trigger (UI or CLI)
    imagify_bulk_optimize (AJAX)  // or wp imagify bulk-optimize
      └── Imagify\Bulk\Bulk::run()
            └── ActionScheduler::enqueue(imagify_optimize_media)
                  └── Imagify\Job\MediaOptimization::execute()
                        └── Imagify\Optimization\File::optimize()
                              └── Remote Imagify API

### Bulk next-gen version generation

The AJAX action `imagify_missing_nextgen_generation` and the ActionScheduler hook `imagify_convert_next_gen` allow generating WebP/AVIF versions for all already-optimised images whose next-gen files are missing.

📁

## 6. WordPress Media Library integration

Columns, actions, and buttons directly within the WordPress media interface.

#### List view (Media Library)

- "Imagify" column with status and weight savings.
- Inline action buttons: Optimize, Re-optimize, Restore, Generate next-gen, Delete next-gen.
- "Bulk Optimization" group action.
- Filter by status: `?imagify-status=...`.

#### Attachment edit page

- Dedicated metabox with detailed status.
- Individual optimisation buttons.
- Display of savings achieved (KB and %).
- Restore link to the original.

The WordPress admin bar can also display a shortcut to the Bulk Optimization page, controlled by the `admin_bar_menu` option.
📂

## 7. Custom Folders

Optimisation of image files located outside the WordPress media library.

### Principle

Custom folders allow optimising images located anywhere on the server (themes, plugins, custom directories). They are indexed in two dedicated MySQL tables.

#### Table `imagify_folders`

- Monitored directories
- Absolute path on the server
- Scan status

#### Table `imagify_files`

- Individually indexed files
- Original / optimised size
- Status, level, generated formats
- Hash to detect modifications

### Available features

- Scan: automatic detection of new images in configured folders.
- Individual or bulk optimisation via the same ActionScheduler system.
- Re-optimisation: if the source file has been modified (detected by hash).
- Restore from backup.
- Cron synchronisation to detect modified/deleted files.

### Main classes

    // Database access
    Imagify_Files_DB        // CRUD on wp_imagify_files
    Imagify_Folders_DB      // CRUD on wp_imagify_folders
    Imagify_Files_Scan      // Filesystem scan

    // Context
    Imagify\Context\CustomFolders

🔌

## 8. AJAX & Admin-Post actions

All server entry points used by the administration interface.

The plugin does not expose a standard WordPress REST API. All actions go through `wp_ajax_*` (authenticated) or `admin_post_*`. A custom "Imagifybeat" system handles real-time updates.

### AJAX actions (`wp_ajax_*`)

#### Account & API

- `imagify_signup`
- `imagify_check_api_key_validity`
- `imagify_get_user_data`
- `imagify_delete_user_data_cache`
- `imagify_get_prices`
- `imagify_check_coupon`

#### Bulk & stats

- `imagify_bulk_optimize`
- `imagify_missing_nextgen_generation`
- `imagify_bulk_get_stats`
- `imagify_get_folder_type_data`
- `imagify_bulk_info_seen`
- `imagify_get_images_counts`

#### UI & settings

- `imagify_check_backup_dir_is_writable`
- `imagify_get_files_tree`
- `imagify_update_estimate_sizes`

#### Tools

- `imagify_reset_internal_state`
- `imagify_rpc` (Imagifybeat)

### Admin-Post actions (`admin_post_*`)

#### WP Media Library

- `imagify_manual_optimize`
- `imagify_manual_reoptimize`
- `imagify_optimize_missing_sizes`
- `imagify_generate_nextgen_versions`
- `imagify_delete_nextgen_versions`
- `imagify_restore`

#### Custom folders

- `imagify_optimize_file`
- `imagify_reoptimize_file`
- `imagify_restore_file`
- `imagify_refresh_file_modified`
- `imagify_scan_custom_folders`

### Imagifybeat

Real-time update system (analogous to WordPress Heartbeat). Hook: `wp_ajax_imagifybeat`. Interface data (nonces, statuses) is refreshed periodically via AJAX polling, configurable by filter.

💻

## 9. WP-CLI commands

Command-line interface for automating optimisation operations.

#### `wp imagify bulk-optimize`

Launches bulk optimisation for one or more contexts (`wp`, `custom-folders`).

- Option: `--optimization-level`
- Asynchronous execution via ActionScheduler

#### `wp imagify restore`

Restores original images for the specified contexts (`library`, `custom-folders`).

- Synchronous (blocking) execution
- Returns: success, errors, total

#### `wp imagify generate-missing-nextgen`

Generates missing WebP/AVIF versions for all already-optimised images.

- Useful after enabling a next-gen format

🖼️

## 10. NextGEN Gallery integration

Full support for the NextGEN Gallery (NGG) plugin.

The plugin automatically detects NextGEN Gallery and activates a dedicated context (`Imagify\Context\NGG`).

#### Features

- Optimisation of NGG images (levels 0/1/2)
- WebP / AVIF generation for NGG images
- Restore NGG originals
- Backup before compression

#### Interface

- "Bulk Optimization" page in the NGG menu
- "Imagify" column in "Manage Images"
- Verified compatibility: NGG v4.x (`imagify_ngg_has_pope_storage()`)

🔗

## 11. Third-party integrations

Compatibility with other plugins and WordPress hosts.

### Plugins

WooCommerce WP Rocket Gravity Forms Formidable Pro Yoast SEO AMP Enable Media Replace Regenerate Thumbnails Amazon S3 & CloudFront Real Media Library Extendify Cloudflare Super Page Cache

### WooCommerce detail

On variable product pages, WooCommerce dynamically replaces the main image. Imagify fixes the `wp-post-image` class on generated `<picture>` tags to maintain compatibility with WooCommerce's image-switching mechanism.

### Hosts

WordPress.com WP Engine Flywheel SiteGround Pressable
🕐

## 12. Scheduled tasks (Cron)

Recurring jobs for maintenance and statistics.

Task | WP Cron hook | Frequency | Role
--- | --- | --- | ---
`Imagify_Cron_Rating` | `imagify_rating_event` | Daily (3:00 PM) | Triggers the plugin rating request.
`Imagify_Cron_Library_Size` | — | Periodic | Recalculates media library statistics.
`Imagify_Cron_Sync_Files` | — | Periodic | Synchronises files in custom folders.

### ActionScheduler

The ActionScheduler library is bundled in `/inc/Dependencies/ActionScheduler/`. It manages asynchronous optimisation jobs:

- `imagify_optimize_media` — Processes a single optimisation job.
- `imagify_convert_next_gen` — Generates next-gen versions.

All jobs are cleaned up when the plugin is deactivated.

🪝

## 13. Developer hooks & filters

Extension points for customising the plugin's behaviour.

### Main actions

Hook | When
--- | ---
`imagify_loaded` | Plugin fully loaded and ready.
`imagify_activation` | On plugin activation.
`imagify_deactivation` | On plugin deactivation.
`imagify_optimize_media` | ActionScheduler optimisation job.
`imagify_convert_next_gen` | Next-gen generation job.
`imagify_delete_media` | Deletion of a media item.
`imagify_settings_on_save` | After settings are saved.
`imagify_not_over_quota_anymore` | Quota dropped back below 100%.

### Main filters

Filter | Usage
--- | ---
`imagify_backup_directory` | Change the backup folder.
`imagify_register_context` | Register a custom optimisation context.
`imagify_picture_attributes` | Modify attributes of the `<picture>` tag.
`imagify_picture_source_attributes` | Modify attributes of `<source>` tags.
`imagify_picture_img_attributes` | Modify attributes of the inner `<img>`.
`imagify_allow_picture_tags_for_nextgen` | Disable the `<picture>` transformation.
`imagify_buffer` | Filter the final HTML page buffer.
`imagify_cdn_source_url` | Override the CDN URL.
`imagify_event_recurrence` | Change the frequency of Imagify cron jobs.
`imagify_event_time` | Change the trigger time for cron jobs.
`imagify_bulk_stats` | Modify bulk statistics data.
`imagify_unoptimized_attachment_limit` | Limit query results.

📊

## 14. Quota & account management

Subscription plans, quota consumption, and user data cache.

### Available plans

#### Free

`plan_id = 1`

Limited monthly quota. Blocked at 100% consumption (`is_over_quota()`).

#### Growth

`plan_id = 16 / 18`

Larger monthly quota, additional byte packs available.

#### Infinite

`plan_id = 15 / 17`

Unlimited quota — no quota blocking.

### Data exposed by `Imagify\User\User`

    quota                        // Total monthly quota (MB)
    consumed_current_month_quota // Quota consumed this month (MB)
    extra_quota                  // Imagify byte pack (MB)
    extra_quota_consumed         // Pack consumed (MB)
    next_date_update             // Quota reset date
    is_active                    // Account active

### Cache

User data is cached in a WordPress transient (`imagify_user_cache`) for 5 minutes. The cache can be manually cleared via the AJAX action `imagify_delete_user_data_cache`.

🔐

## 15. Roles & access control

WordPress capabilities required for each Imagify action.

Action | Required WP capability | Context
--- | --- | ---
`manage` — Access settings | `manage_options` | All
`optimize` — Optimize a media item | `upload_files` | All
`bulk-optimize` — Launch a bulk run | `manage_options` | All

Capabilities are defined in `Imagify\Context\AbstractContext::get_capacity()` and can be overridden via the standard WordPress filter `option_page_capability_imagify`.
🔧

## 16. Troubleshooting tools

Built-in tools to resolve common issues without technical intervention.

### Internal state reset

AJAX action: `imagify_reset_internal_state` (requires the `manage` capability). This one-click tool unblocks the bulk optimiser when it gets stuck in an inconsistent state.

### What gets cleaned up

#### Deleted transients

- `imagify_custom-folders_optimize_running`
- `imagify_wp_optimize_running`
- `imagify_bulk_optimization_complete`
- `imagify_bulk_optimization_result`
- `imagify_missing_next_gen_total`
- `imagify_bulk_optimization_infos`

#### Deleted locks & jobs

- Auto-optimize locks (`_transient_%imagify-auto-optimize-%`)
- RPC locks (`_transient_%imagify_rpc_%`)
- Process locks (`_transient_imagify_%_process_locked`)
- ActionScheduler jobs: `imagify_optimize_media`
- ActionScheduler jobs: `imagify_convert_next_gen`

The `Imagify\Tools\InternalStateList` class is the single source of truth for all these items — it is also used by `uninstall.php` for a full cleanup on uninstallation.