DynoMenu Documentation
DynoMenu helps you create menus that update automatically from your WordPress or WooCommerce content. Build, style, and place responsive menus with shortcodes in minutes.
Official links: dynomenu.com | Seal Digital
1. Plugin Overview
DynoMenu generates navigation menus dynamically from content sources like post types, taxonomies, WooCommerce product categories, product attributes, and existing WordPress menus.
Core capabilities
- Dynamic menu generation from content and taxonomies
- Responsive hamburger menu with selectable breakpoints
- Visual styling controls for menu and submenu items
- Shortcode output for pages, posts, and widgets
- Conditional display rules for showing menus in specific contexts
- JSON import and export for menu configurations
Where to manage menus
- Admin area: DynoMenu > Menus
- Create/edit screen: custom menu builder and live preview
- Tools screen: DynoMenu > Tools for export/import
2. Installation
- Upload the plugin folder to
/wp-content/plugins/dynomenuor install from the WordPress Plugins screen. - Activate DynoMenu from Plugins.
- Open DynoMenu > Menus.
- Create and save your first menu.
3. Quick Start
- Go to DynoMenu > Menus and click Add New.
- In the Source tab, choose a post type and source.
- Adjust sorting, submenu depth, and hide-empty options.
- Switch to Appearance and style your menu.
- Click Save Menu.
- Copy the generated shortcode and paste it where you want the menu.
4. Source Settings (Group Builder)
The Source tab lets you build one or more menu groups. Each group can pull from a different content source.
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Choose post type | Select a public post type (excluding attachments), or choose Menu for WordPress nav menus. |
| Choose source | Depends on post type: posts collection, taxonomies, product attributes (for products), or existing WP menus. |
| Sorting | Default, A-Z, Z-A, Newest, Oldest, Most children, Least children, Most items, Least items. |
| Submenu depth | Controls how deep child levels are included. 0 = unlimited. |
| Hide empty items | For supported taxonomy/collection sources, hides empty entries. |
5. Appearance Settings
Appearance is organized into vertical sections: Main Menu, Submenu, Mobile Menu Toggle, Close Button, and Preview Wrapper.
Main Menu
- Layout: horizontal or vertical
- Alignment: left, center, right
- Typography controls: family, size, weight, line height, letter spacing
- Color states: normal, hover, active
- Pointer effects and divider options
Submenu
- Typography and color controls
- Background, border, radius, and divider
- Padding and spacing
- Optional box shadow settings
- Open trigger option (hover or click on desktop)
Mobile and Responsive
- Hamburger breakpoint: none, mobile, tablet, desktop
- Customizable icon type (dashicons or PNG)
- Toggle and close button size, color, border, background
- Overlay behavior when menu is open
Live Preview
- Desktop, tablet, and mobile preview tabs
- Interactive preview for style and layout checks
- Preview does not execute conditional display visibility logic
6. Shortcode Usage
DynoMenu registers the shortcode [dyno] with an optional id attribute.
Examples
- [dyno id="X"]: Renders the menu with that ID if it exists and is available to your plan.
- [dyno]: Uses the first available menu automatically.
7. Conditional Display
Conditional Display lets you show a menu only when all rules in a condition group are true.
Available condition categories
- Page context: page title, parent, author
- Post context: post title, categories, tags, modified/publish date, author, comments, featured image state
- User context: login status, user role, registration date
- Date/time context: current date, day of week, time of day
- Request context: URL matching and contains checks
Common operators
is, is not, is before, is after, on or before, on or after, less than or equal, greater than or equal, contains, does not contain.
8. Import and Export Tools
Use Tools to move menu configurations between sites as JSON files.
Export
- Filter by status: all, published, or draft
- Select specific menus or export all menus
- Downloads JSON containing post data and menu metadata
Import
- Upload a JSON file and validate structure
- Preview menus before importing
- Choose conflict handling for duplicates:
- New: create an additional menu
- Overwrite: replace existing menu data
- Rename: import as "Original Title - Imported"
9. Free vs Pro Notes
DynoMenu includes plan-based behavior in the editor and front-end rendering.
| Area | Free behavior |
|---|---|
| Number of menus | Only one fully available menu is allowed in free mode. |
| Source groups | Additional groups are gated; upgrade is required for more groups. |
| Shortcodes | Shortcodes for non-allowed menus are shown with PRO indication and restricted behavior. |
| Advanced styling and conditions | Pro-only settings may appear in preview but are not saved/effective on free plan. |
10. Troubleshooting and FAQ
My menu does not appear on the page
- Confirm the shortcode ID exists and the menu is saved.
- Check whether conditional rules are hiding the menu in the current context.
- If on free plan, verify the selected menu is the allowed one.
Menu items look outdated
- Menus are dynamic. Ensure your source post type/taxonomy still contains items.
- If Hide Empty is enabled, empty terms are removed from output.
Dropdown interaction feels different on desktop and mobile
- Check hamburger breakpoint settings.
- Check submenu trigger setting (hover/click for desktop mode).
Import failed
- Use a valid JSON file exported from DynoMenu tools.
- Confirm the file includes both
export_infoandmenuskeys.
