Overview
WPiko AI Chatbot adds an AI assistant to your WordPress site using OpenAI’s models. The free plugin is available on WordPress.org. WPiko AI Chatbot Pro is an add-on from wpiko.com that requires the free plugin.
Requirements
- WordPress 6.0 or higher (tested up to 7.1)
- PHP 7.0 or higher
- MySQL 5.6 or higher
- An OpenAI Platform account with prepaid credit (see API Key Configuration)
- Your server must be able to make outgoing HTTPS requests to
api.openai.com
Installing the Free Version
Method 1: WordPress Dashboard (Recommended)
- Go to Plugins → Add New.
- Search for WPiko AI Chatbot.
- Click Install Now, then Activate.
Method 2: Upload the ZIP
- Download the plugin ZIP from WordPress.org.
- Go to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin, choose the ZIP and click Install Now.
- Click Activate.
Method 3: FTP
- Extract the ZIP and upload the
wpiko-chatbotfolder to/wp-content/plugins/. - Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins and activate WPiko AI Chatbot.
After Activation: the Setup Wizard
Right after activation, the Setup Wizard opens automatically. In about 5 minutes it helps you connect OpenAI, teach the chatbot about your business and test it before it goes live. Until setup is finished it’s also at the top of the plugin menu as Setup Wizard. Afterwards you can run it again with Run setup again on the Dashboard.
Installing the Pro Version
Prerequisites
- The free WPiko AI Chatbot plugin installed and active. Pro 2.1.2 requires WPiko AI Chatbot 2.1.2 or newer, so always update both plugins together.
- A license key purchased from wpiko.com
Installation Steps
- Download the WPiko AI Chatbot Pro ZIP from your account on wpiko.com or from your purchase email.
- Go to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin, choose the ZIP and click Install Now.
- Click Activate.
- Click License at the bottom of the plugin sidebar, enter your license key and activate it (see License Activation).
If the free plugin is older than the version Pro needs, Pro shows a notice asking you to update it first. The other way round, if WPiko AI Chatbot is updated before Pro, Pro’s training tools keep working and a notice asks you to update WPiko AI Chatbot Pro to 2.1.2.
Finding Your Way Around
The WordPress sidebar shows three shortcuts under WPiko AI Chatbot: Dashboard, Conversations and Settings (which opens AI Settings). Inside the plugin, the sidebar groups every screen by what it’s for:
| Group | Screens |
|---|---|
| (top) | Dashboard, Setup Wizard (until setup is done) |
| Monitor | Conversations, Analytics (PRO), Mobile App (PRO) |
| AI & Training | AI Settings, with two tabs: Model & Knowledge (AI Configuration: model, instructions, Quick learn and the Train AI tools) and API Connection (your OpenAI key) |
| Chat Widget | Placement (Floating Chatbot, Shortcode), Appearance (Style, Menu Options) and Messages (Greeting, Pre-made Questions, Error Messages) |
| Leads & Sales | Email Capture (PRO), Contact Form (PRO), Product Card (PRO, when WooCommerce is active) |
| Advanced | User Limits, Debug Log |
| (bottom) | License (with Pro) |
Screens that share a sidebar entry, such as Placement or Appearance, show a row of tabs at the top to switch between them. Pro screens carry a PRO badge. On phones, open the menu with the button in the plugin header.
The plugin header also links to the Docs, Learn and Support pages on wpiko.com.
Coming from an older version? In 2.1.2 the menu was reorganised. Setup & AI became AI & Training, Chat Experience became Chat Widget, Manage & Tools was split into Monitor and Advanced, and the Pro Features group was replaced: each Pro screen now sits with the features it belongs to.
Upgrading
- Back up your site before upgrading.
- Free version: update from Plugins → Installed Plugins when an update is available.
- Pro version: updates are delivered automatically to your WordPress dashboard while your license is active.
Update the free plugin and Pro together so their versions match. Your settings are kept.
Best Practices
- Only download Pro from the official wpiko.com website.
- Keep both plugins up to date for security fixes and new models.
- If you use a caching plugin, make sure it doesn’t cache the chatbot’s AJAX requests.
- Set User Limits and monitor your OpenAI usage to keep costs predictable.
