Holographic Training LMS Core Wiki
Holographic Training LMS Core Wiki
This guide is for administrators using the Core version of Holographic Training LMS. It explains the main Core features in plain English, what each feature is for, how to use it, and the common mistakes that cause setup, course, learner or front-end problems.
Core is the free foundation of Holographic Training LMS. It gives you the main WordPress LMS structure: courses, modules, lessons, learner accounts, learner dashboard, manual access, basic lesson quizzes, progress tracking, course catalogue tools, course import/export, setup checks and system health checks.
Professional and Corporate add more advanced training, payment, certificate, assessment, video, attendance and organisation-management features. This Core guide focuses on the free foundation and the Core tools that all other versions build on.
Use the contents below to jump to the feature you need. Each section follows the same structure: what it is, how to use it, and possible problems or common mistakes.
Core Wiki Contents
Recommended build order: run Page Setup, save WordPress permalinks, create a course, add modules, add lessons, add quizzes where needed, create a test learner, grant course access, then test the full learner journey from the front end.
Core Structure
Courses contain modules. Modules contain lessons. Lessons can have basic quizzes. Learners are given access to courses and work through the learner-facing pages.
Core Learner Flow
Learners register, verify their email, log in, open the learner dashboard, access assigned courses, complete lessons and take lesson quizzes where used.
Core Admin Flow
Administrators build course structure, edit visible content, grant learner access, check setup pages, review progress and use Course Tools before launch.
HoloLMS Admin Dashboard
What it is
The HoloLMS dashboard is the starting point for managing the Core version of Holographic Training LMS. It gives administrators quick access to the main course-building areas, learner management, setup checks and support tools.
Use the dashboard as a navigation hub rather than as the place where all course content is edited. Courses, modules, lessons, quizzes, learners and setup checks each have their own screens because they control different parts of the LMS.
How to use it
Open the HoloLMS menu in WordPress and start with the dashboard if you are not sure where a task belongs. The quick-start links are there to guide you through the normal build order: create a course, add modules, add lessons, add quizzes where needed, then test the learner journey.
Use the dashboard cards to jump to the correct area for the job. If you are building course structure, use Courses, Modules and Lessons. If you are checking required pages or site readiness, use Setup and System Health. If you are helping a learner, use the Learners screen.
When working on a new site, do not treat the dashboard as a setup checklist by itself. It is a shortcut area. You should still run Page Setup, save permalinks and test with a real learner account before putting the course in front of learners.
Possible problems or common mistakes
A common mistake is trying to fix every issue from the dashboard. If a learner cannot log in, use Learners and Page Setup. If a course is not showing, use Courses and Course Tools. If a page is missing, use Page Setup.
Another common mistake is assuming every dashboard link means a paid feature is active. Core may show upgrade information, but Core features and paid-version features are still separate. The Core wiki only covers the free foundation features.
If an administrator cannot see a dashboard card, check their WordPress capabilities. Holographic Training LMS uses different permissions for course management, learner management, settings and diagnostics.
Courses
What it is
A course is the main training container in Holographic Training LMS. It holds the overall programme, and modules and lessons sit inside it. Learners are normally given access to a course, then work through the module and lesson structure inside it.
The course record controls important LMS information such as the title, slug, short description, progression mode, publication status, discovery labels and whether the course appears in public course lists. The course content page controls the visible page content shown to learners.
How to use it
Create the course before creating modules or lessons. Use a clear title, a short description that explains what the course is for, and a stable slug. Set the course to unpublished while you are building it, then publish it only after modules, lessons, quizzes and learner-facing pages have been checked.
Use the course settings screen for structured LMS settings. Use the Edit Course Content action for the visible WordPress content page. This separation matters because changing the course page content is not the same as changing LMS settings such as progression, publication or labels.
Choose the progression mode based on the course type. Strict progression is better for structured training where learners should complete items in order. Free navigation is better for reference material, short awareness resources or courses where learners can move around freely.
Possible problems or common mistakes
Do not change a course slug casually after the course has been launched. Slugs are part of URLs, and changing them can confuse learners, break saved links or require redirects.
Do not publish a course just because the course record exists. A published course can still be incomplete if modules, lessons, quizzes, required pages or learner access are not ready.
Do not delete a live course when you only mean to remove it from public view. Use Hide from course list or archive tools where appropriate so the course and records remain available for administration.
If the course appears empty on the front end, check that modules and lessons are assigned to the course, published, and ordered correctly. Also check that the learner has course access.
Course Labels, Difficulty, Type And Tags
What it is
Course labels help organise courses for administrators and learners. Core includes fields such as Access Type, Availability Status, Build Status, Difficulty and Course Type, plus course tags and a course category field used by catalogue filters.
These labels are discovery and organisation tools. They help course lists, catalogue filters and course badges make sense, but they do not automatically sell a course, enrol a learner, create a payment product or create corporate access rules by themselves.
How to use it
Use Access Type to describe how the course is intended to be accessed, such as Free, Paid, Private or Corporate. Use Availability Status to show whether a course is Available, Coming Soon, Hidden or Retired. Use Build Status to track whether a course is Planned, In Progress, Done, Needs Review or Needs Update.
Use Difficulty to give learners a clear level from A to F, from Beginner through Expert or university-level content. Use Course Type to describe the purpose of the course, such as Taster, Pathway, Specialist, Professional, Refresher, Compliance or Practical Project.
Use tags for topics that learners may search or filter by, such as Python, Cyber Security, Health and Safety, Beginner, Management or Compliance. Keep tags consistent and avoid creating several versions of the same idea.
Possible problems or common mistakes
A common mistake is setting Access Type to Paid and expecting checkout to appear automatically. Core can label a course as paid for catalogue purposes, but selling courses requires Professional.
Another common mistake is using too many tags. Tags are useful only when they help people find or understand courses. Ten slightly different tags for the same topic make filtering worse.
Do not use Build Status as a learner promise unless the course is genuinely ready. If a course is still being written, use Planned, In Progress or Needs Review so administrators understand its status.
If course filters do not show expected results, check that courses have consistent labels, tags and categories, and that the public catalogue shortcode is using filters.
Modules
What it is
A module is a section inside a course. Modules break a course into organised parts, which makes longer training easier to plan, manage and follow. A course can have one module or many modules depending on the size of the training.
Modules are structural records. They help define the learner route through the course and group related lessons together. A module can also have its own editable content page for an introduction, summary or section guidance.
How to use it
Create modules after creating the course. Assign each module to the correct course, give it a clear title, add a short description where useful, and set the order so modules appear in the right sequence.
Use spaced order numbers such as 10, 20 and 30 rather than 1, 2 and 3. This makes it easier to insert a new module later without renumbering the whole course.
Keep modules unpublished while they are being built. Publish a module only when the lessons inside it are ready or when you are deliberately releasing that part of the course.
Possible problems or common mistakes
A module without the correct course assignment will not appear in the expected learner journey. If a module seems missing, check its parent course first.
Do not delete a module until you have checked whether lessons are attached to it. If you only want to hide or pause the module, unpublish it instead.
If modules appear in the wrong order, check the module order values. Two modules with the same order can create confusing ordering, especially after imports or course duplication.
Lessons And Editable Content
What it is
A lesson is the main teaching item inside a module. This is where learners read, watch, practise or complete the actual learning content. Lessons sit inside modules, and modules sit inside courses.
Each lesson has LMS settings and visible WordPress content. The settings control the lesson title, slug, parent module, order and publication state. The editable content page holds the text, images, videos, examples and learning material the learner sees.
How to use it
Create lessons after the module exists. Assign each lesson to the correct module, use a clear title, set the order, and keep the lesson unpublished until the content is ready.
Use Edit Content to write or design the lesson content. You can use the WordPress editor, Elementor, HoloEdit or another suitable visual editor as long as the LMS structure and required output are not removed.
Add a quiz only when the lesson needs a knowledge check. Not every lesson needs a quiz, but quizzes are useful when you want learners to confirm that they understood the key points.
Possible problems or common mistakes
If a lesson appears under the wrong course, check its module assignment. A lesson belongs to a module, so the module determines which course the lesson sits inside.
Do not confuse lesson content editing with lesson settings. Editing the page content changes what learners see. Editing settings changes how Holographic Training LMS organises and controls the lesson.
If a visual editor makes a page look wrong, check that the required content area still exists and that the editor has not stripped shortcodes, dynamic blocks or important layout elements.
Deleting a lesson can also affect its linked quiz, attempts and progress records. For live courses, unpublish first unless you are certain the lesson and related records are no longer needed.
Elementor And HoloEdit Compatibility
What it is
Holographic Training LMS keeps course structure in the LMS while the visible course, module and lesson content sits in normal WordPress content areas. That means visual editors such as Elementor and HoloEdit can be used to design the learner-facing content.
This is compatibility rather than a separate Core-only feature. The LMS manages courses, learners, access, progress and quizzes, while the visual editor controls the layout and design of the page content.
How to use it
Use the Edit Content action on a course, module or lesson when you want to design the visible page. Add headings, text, images, video embeds, callout boxes or other layout content using the editor you prefer.
Keep the structured LMS settings in the HoloLMS admin screens. Do not try to set progression mode, learner access, module assignment or lesson order inside a visual editor layout.
After editing content with Elementor or HoloEdit, preview the course as an administrator and then test as a learner. This confirms that the page looks correct and that the LMS workflow still works.
Possible problems or common mistakes
Do not delete required LMS output from system pages such as the learner dashboard, login page, course page, module page, lesson page or quiz page. Those pages need their shortcodes or dynamic output to work.
Do not use a plain HTML widget for a shortcode if that widget displays shortcodes as text instead of executing them. Use a shortcode-capable widget or normal WordPress content area.
If content disappears after editing with a visual editor, check whether the editor or another plugin has stripped HTML, shortcodes or saved content incorrectly. Also check whether the correct course, module or lesson content page is being edited.
Basic Lesson Quizzes
What it is
Core lesson quizzes are simple multiple-choice knowledge checks attached to individual lessons. They are designed to help learners check understanding at the end of a lesson.
Core quizzes are not the same as Professional module assessments, tutor-marked activities or final exams. Use them for lesson-level checks, not as a replacement for formal assessment workflows.
How to use it
Open the Quizzes screen or use the Quiz action from a lesson. Choose the lesson, add a quiz title, set a pass mark, add questions and answer options, then mark the correct answer for each question.
Keep quiz questions clear and tied directly to the lesson content. A learner should be able to answer from what the lesson taught, not from guesswork or outside knowledge.
Preview the learner flow after saving the quiz. Check that the quiz appears on the correct lesson, that the right answer is marked, and that the pass mark is sensible.
Possible problems or common mistakes
Do not write trick questions. A quiz should test understanding, not catch learners out with unclear wording.
Do not make the correct answer obviously longer or more polished every time. That makes the quiz easy to guess and weakens the learning check.
If the quiz is missing, check that it is attached to the correct lesson, published, and that the Quiz page exists with the correct shortcode.
If learners cannot access the quiz, check that they are logged in, email verified, have access to the course, and are opening the lesson through the normal learner-facing route.
Learner Accounts And Email Verification
What it is
Learner accounts are the accounts used by people taking courses. They are separate from WordPress administrator accounts, which keeps learners away from the WordPress admin dashboard.
Email verification helps confirm that the learner controls the email address used for the account. This is important because the learner email is used for login identity, password resets and course communication.
How to use it
Learners can register from the learner registration page, or an administrator can create a learner manually from the Learners screen. Manual creation is useful for private courses, staff training, internal testing or controlled enrolment.
After registration, the learner should verify their email before using the full learner journey. If they do not receive the email, use Resend Verification from the Learners screen.
If an administrator creates a learner manually, use Send Password Email so the learner can set their own password. Do not send passwords in plain text or create unnecessary WordPress admin accounts for normal learners.
Possible problems or common mistakes
A common mistake is trying to log in through WordPress admin login. Learners should use the Holographic Training LMS learner login page unless they also have a real WordPress admin role for another reason.
If a learner cannot see courses, check both account status and email verification. An unverified learner may be blocked from parts of the learner journey.
If emails are not arriving, check the site email setup, spam folders, SMTP settings and whether the learner email address is correct.
Do not delete learner accounts casually on live training sites. Learner records may be needed for completion evidence, support or reporting.
Manual Course Access
What it is
Manual course access lets an administrator give a learner access to a course without using checkout or an automated enrolment rule. This is part of the Core learner-management workflow.
Manual access is useful for free training, internal courses, private courses, test learners, early course builds, client onboarding and cases where the administrator wants direct control over who can enter a course.
How to use it
Open the Learners screen, find the learner, and use Grant Course Access. Choose the course and save the access assignment. The learner should then see the course in their dashboard after logging in.
Use Revoke next to a course if the learner should no longer have access. Revoking access removes the entitlement but does not necessarily delete all progress records.
For testing, create a learner account using an email address you can access. Grant the course, log in as the learner, verify the email and confirm the dashboard shows the course correctly.
Possible problems or common mistakes
Do not assume publishing a course automatically gives every learner access. A learner needs access, and the course also needs to be published.
If a learner cannot see a manually assigned course, check that they are logged in as the correct learner, email verified, and looking at the learner dashboard rather than a cached page.
If a course was hidden from the public list, it can still be available to assigned learners, depending on the route and access rules. Hidden from listing is not the same as deleted.
If access was granted but the dashboard does not update, check caching rules on learner-facing pages.
Learner Dashboard
What it is
The learner dashboard is the front-end area where a logged-in learner sees their available courses and progress. It is one of the most important learner-facing pages in Core.
The dashboard keeps learners away from the WordPress admin area and gives them a simpler course experience. It should be the normal place learners go to continue training.
How to use it
Create the learner dashboard through Page Setup. The page should contain the dashboard shortcode and should be published. Link to it from your site menu, learner account area or course emails where appropriate.
After giving a learner course access, ask them to log in and open the learner dashboard. The dashboard should show courses they are allowed to access and help them continue their training.
Test the dashboard as a real learner, not only as an administrator. Administrator preview is useful, but it is not a replacement for checking the real learner journey.
Possible problems or common mistakes
If the dashboard is blank, check that the page contains the correct shortcode and that the learner is logged in.
If a shortcode appears as text, check whether the page editor or widget area is processing shortcodes. Some HTML widgets only print shortcodes rather than running them.
If the dashboard shows old data, check caching. Learner dashboards should normally be excluded from full-page caching for logged-in users.
If a learner sees no courses, check course access, course publication status, email verification and whether the learner is using the correct account.
Progress Tracking And Navigation
What it is
Progress tracking records how far a learner has moved through a course. It helps the learner continue from the right place and helps administrators understand whether training is being completed.
Core progress tracking is linked to the course, module and lesson structure. It works best when learners use the proper Holographic Training LMS front-end pages rather than jumping between unrelated WordPress pages.
How to use it
Make sure the required course, module, lesson and dashboard pages exist. Learners should enter the course through the normal front-end route so the LMS can understand what they are viewing and completing.
Use progression mode to control the intended learning route. Strict progression is suitable for ordered training. Free navigation is suitable where learners may move around more freely.
Use shortcodes such as continue learning, next lesson and progress display where you want to guide learners through the course or show progress in a custom layout.
Possible problems or common mistakes
Progress may not update if learners are viewing admin previews rather than learner-facing pages.
Progress may appear wrong if lessons were moved, deleted or imported incorrectly after learners had already started the course.
Do not clear learner progress unless you deliberately want to reset records. Clearing progress is a destructive action and can remove evidence that may later be needed.
If a progress bar shows zero unexpectedly, check learner access, lesson publication, shortcode placement and caching.
Public Course Catalogue, Search And Filters
What it is
The public course catalogue lets visitors and learners browse available courses. Core includes course listing, catalogue, search, filter and sort tools so courses can be easier to find.
Catalogue filtering can use course search text, category, access type, availability, build status, difficulty, course type, tags and sorting options. If a course group system exists on the site, group filtering may also appear.
How to use it
Use the Courses page created by Page Setup for the standard course list, or place a catalogue shortcode on a custom page when you want a stronger course browsing layout.
Add useful short descriptions, categories, tags, difficulty codes and course types to courses. The catalogue can only filter well if the course metadata is entered consistently.
Use the search/filter shortcode when you want a searchable catalogue page. Keep the layout simple enough for real customers to find courses quickly.
Possible problems or common mistakes
If filters return no courses, check that courses are published and not hidden from listing.
If filters are not useful, the underlying course metadata is probably inconsistent. Standardise tags, course types, difficulty levels and categories.
Do not use build-status labels carelessly on a public catalogue. A course marked In Progress or Needs Review may look unfinished if those labels are exposed.
If a catalogue page is cached too aggressively, filter results may not update properly. Check cache settings if search and filters behave strangely.
Required Pages And Shortcodes
What it is
Holographic Training LMS uses WordPress pages with shortcodes to display learner-facing screens. These pages handle registration, login, email verification, password reset, dashboard, course list, course view, module view, lesson view and quizzes.
Page Setup creates and checks these required pages. This keeps the learner journey connected and avoids administrators manually guessing which shortcode belongs on which page.
How to use it
Open Page Setup after installing Core and create all missing required pages. The setup table shows the page name, shortcode, status and action for each page.
After creating pages, save WordPress permalinks from Settings → Permalinks. You usually do not need to change the permalink structure; saving refreshes routing.
If you customise the pages, keep the required shortcode in place. You can add text or styling around it, but the shortcode is the part that displays the LMS screen.
Possible problems or common mistakes
Do not delete required pages without recreating them. Learner registration, login, dashboard and quiz screens rely on those pages.
Do not remove the shortcode from a required page while editing with a visual editor.
If a shortcode displays as plain text, move it into a shortcode-capable block, shortcode widget or normal WordPress content area.
If you create duplicate pages, make sure the correct page is the one Holographic Training LMS is using.
Course Import And Export Packages
What it is
Course packages let you move a course structure from one WordPress site to another. A package can include the course, modules, lessons, quizzes, linked content pages, supported metadata and local uploaded files referenced by the course content.
Import and export are for course content and structure. Learner accounts, learner progress, payment records and private training history stay on the original site unless you use a separate full-site backup or migration process.
How to use it
Use Export Course Package when you want to move a course, keep a portable copy or prepare course content for reuse. Export one course at a time and label your downloaded files clearly.
Use Import Course Package on the receiving site. Upload the package, validate it, read the preview, check the course title, slug, module count, lesson count, quiz count, attached file count and any warnings, then import only when the preview looks correct.
For important courses, test import on a staging site before importing into a live training site. This is especially important if the course uses visual editor content, embedded media or files that need to be remapped.
Possible problems or common mistakes
Do not treat course package export as a full website backup. It does not replace a full WordPress backup with database, uploads, settings, users and plugin configuration.
If imported content looks wrong, check whether the destination site has the same editor, theme and supporting plugins as the source site.
If media is missing after import, check whether the files were included, whether file permissions allow them to be imported, and whether the source content used local files or remote links.
If slugs conflict with existing courses, the import may need to adjust or reject them. Read the import preview before continuing.
Course Package Media Handling
What it is
Course package media handling helps course packages carry supported local files and reconnect them on import. This is useful when a lesson contains images, documents or supported media that should move with the course.
This feature is especially useful when Core is working alongside Professional features such as protected lesson video or protected downloads. Core can support package handling for supported course media references so imported content is less likely to point back to old attachment IDs.
How to use it
When exporting a course, check whether the package reports attached files. That number helps you confirm whether local files referenced by the course were detected.
When importing, review the attached file count and any warnings in the import preview. If the course relies heavily on files, images, downloads or video references, inspect the imported lesson content before launching it to learners.
After import, open several lessons and confirm that images, downloads, embedded items and linked media still work. Do this before assigning the course to learners.
Possible problems or common mistakes
Remote files may not be packaged in the same way as local WordPress media. If a lesson points to a file on another service, the package may preserve the link rather than import the file.
If the original file was missing, private or blocked by server permissions, the exported package may not be able to include it.
If a destination site handles media differently, check the imported content manually. File remapping is helpful, but it does not remove the need to test important course media after import.
Do not assume protected content rules are the same on every site. If the course uses paid-version protected media features, make sure the destination site has the correct paid plugins and licence active.
Course Tools
What it is
Course Tools is a maintenance and administration area for existing courses. It includes actions for duplication, templates, backups, archiving, restoration, structure maps, broken link checks, readiness checks and basic CSV exports.
This area is useful when you are preparing a course for launch, reusing a course structure, checking an imported course, archiving old training or diagnosing broken relationships between courses, modules, lessons and quizzes.
How to use it
Select a course first. Most Course Tools actions apply to the selected course, so always confirm the selected course before duplicating, exporting, archiving or downloading a backup.
Use Duplicate Course when you want to create a new course from an existing course structure. Use Export Basic Template when you want a lightweight reusable template. Use Download Backup before major edits or when you want a safety copy.
Use Archive Course when a course should no longer be active but should not be deleted. Archiving is safer than deletion because it hides the course from normal use while preserving course and learner records.
Possible problems or common mistakes
Do not duplicate a course and publish the copy without checking titles, slugs, labels, lessons, quizzes and access rules. A copied course still needs review.
Do not rely on a course backup as the only backup for a live LMS site. Use a full site backup for disaster recovery.
Do not delete an old course just because it is no longer sold or actively used. If learner records may be needed, archive it instead.
If a restored course looks incomplete, check whether the backup contained all required content and files.
Content Rescue Import
What it is
Content Rescue Import is used to import a course content rescue JSON exported from an older Core, Professional or Corporate installation. It is designed to bring course structure and linked content into the current Core LMS structure.
A rescue import can include courses, modules, lessons, linked WordPress content, HoloEdit content, quizzes, questions and answers. It does not import learners, orders, attempts or progress records.
How to use it
Use this tool when you have a rescue export from an older installation and need to recover course content into the current Holographic Training LMS structure.
Import into a staging site first if the content is important. Check the resulting courses, modules, lessons, quizzes and linked content pages before doing the same on a live site.
After import, run the course structure map, broken link checker and readiness checklist. Then inspect the content pages in the editor.
Possible problems or common mistakes
Do not use Content Rescue Import for normal learner data migration. It is for course content recovery, not learner records, orders, quiz attempts or progress.
If recovered content looks different, check the source editor, destination editor and any plugins used for the original content.
If duplicate courses appear, check whether the content already existed before import. Rescue imports are safer when tested on a clean staging copy.
Do not assume a rescue import is ready for learners immediately. Review and test before publishing.
Course Structure Map, Link Checker And Readiness Checklist
What it is
The Course Structure Visual Map shows the selected course, its modules, its lessons and whether lessons have linked quizzes. It gives administrators a quick way to see whether a course structure makes sense.
The Broken Lesson / Module Link Checker and LMS Readiness Checklist help find common setup issues before learners encounter them. These tools are especially useful after imports, duplication, deletion or major course reorganisation.
How to use it
Select a course in Course Tools and review the visual map. Check that the modules are in the expected order, lessons sit under the correct modules, and quizzes are present where expected.
Run the broken link checker after importing a course, deleting modules or moving lessons. If it reports an issue, fix the parent course, module, lesson or quiz relationship before putting learners into the course.
Run the readiness checklist before launch. Treat it as a practical pre-launch check rather than a guarantee that the course content itself is perfect.
Possible problems or common mistakes
A common mistake is checking only the front-end page and not the structure. A course can look acceptable on one page while still having missing or misassigned modules behind it.
If the visual map shows lessons under the wrong module, fix the lesson settings rather than editing the visible content page.
If the readiness checklist flags missing pages, go to Page Setup rather than manually creating random pages.
If a course was imported from another site, run all three checks before assigning real learners.
Basic CSV Exports
What it is
Core includes basic CSV exports for simple learner and course completion review. These exports are intended for spreadsheet checks and light administration.
Advanced scheduled reporting, audit-ready export packs, Gradebook exports and corporate reporting are paid-version areas. Core exports are deliberately simpler and focused on basic records.
How to use it
Use Course Tools and choose the relevant export option. Download the CSV and open it in a spreadsheet tool such as Excel, Google Sheets or LibreOffice Calc.
Use basic exports for checking learner rows, simple course completion data, testing records or doing a quick manual review.
Keep exported learner data secure. CSV files can contain personal information or training records, so store and share them carefully.
Possible problems or common mistakes
Do not treat basic CSV exports as a full compliance reporting system. Use Professional or Corporate reporting tools where stronger evidence packs, Gradebook exports or audit workflows are required.
If a spreadsheet opens the file with odd characters, try importing the CSV rather than double-clicking it, and check the encoding settings in the spreadsheet program.
If data seems missing, check whether the learner has actually started or completed the course, and whether you selected the right course or export type.
Settings, Privacy And Sessions
What it is
The Settings screen controls site-level Holographic Training LMS behaviour. In Core, this includes brand colours, privacy erasure mode, learner session behaviour and uninstall data removal.
These settings affect how the LMS behaves across the site. They should be reviewed before launch because privacy, sessions and uninstall choices can affect learner records and data retention.
How to use it
Set the primary and accent colours to match your brand and keep them readable. Strong contrast is more important than decoration because learners need to read buttons, messages and progress information clearly.
Choose the privacy erasure mode that matches your organisation’s training record policy. Anonymising a learner can retain training records while removing identity. Deleting all linked records is more destructive and should be used only when appropriate.
Use the single learner session setting if you want a learner’s old sessions to end when they log in from a new browser. Leave uninstall data removal disabled unless you are deliberately removing the LMS and its data from the site.
Possible problems or common mistakes
Do not enable uninstall data removal on a live site unless you understand the consequence. If enabled and the plugin is uninstalled, Holographic Training LMS data can be removed.
Do not choose a privacy erasure mode without considering training record retention. Some organisations need to retain anonymised training evidence even after personal data is removed.
If learners report being logged out unexpectedly, check the learner session setting and whether they are logging in from multiple browsers or devices.
If colours make buttons or text hard to read, adjust them for contrast rather than brand matching alone.
System Health
What it is
System Health is a diagnostic screen. It checks important environment and installation details such as WordPress version, PHP version and required Holographic Training LMS database tables.
It is not a course-building screen. Use it when you need to confirm the installation is technically ready or when something suggests the plugin setup may be incomplete.
How to use it
Open System Health after installing or updating the plugin. Confirm that the required checks pass before building a large course catalogue.
Use System Health after moving a site to new hosting, restoring a backup, importing a large course package or seeing database-related errors.
If a support request is needed, collect the System Health results along with the plugin version, WordPress version, PHP version and any error message.
Possible problems or common mistakes
Do not ignore missing table warnings. Missing database tables can cause course, learner, quiz or progress features to fail.
Do not repeatedly deactivate and reactivate a live site without a backup. If there is a database problem, take a backup first and test repairs on staging where possible.
If the site has an old PHP version, update hosting before assuming the LMS is the cause of errors.
If System Health passes but a feature still fails, check configuration, pages, shortcodes, access rules and caching next.
Front-End Shortcodes
What it is
Shortcodes are the WordPress codes that display Holographic Training LMS screens on front-end pages. Core uses shortcodes for learner registration, login, email verification, password reset, dashboard, course lists, course pages, module pages, lesson pages, quizzes, navigation and progress.
Page Setup creates the required shortcode pages automatically. Manual shortcode placement is mainly for custom layouts, additional course catalogue areas or extra learner navigation blocks.
How to use it
Use Page Setup for required pages instead of manually guessing. For custom pages, place the shortcode in a normal content area or shortcode-capable block.
Use the course catalogue and course search shortcodes when you want a public course browsing page with filters and sorting. Use continue learning, next lesson and progress shortcodes when you want to guide logged-in learners.
After adding a shortcode manually, view the page on the front end while logged in as the right user type. Some screens show different output to logged-out visitors, learners and administrators.
Possible problems or common mistakes
Do not alter the shortcode text. The shortcode must match the actual registered shortcode name exactly.
Do not place learner dashboard or quiz shortcodes in widgets that only display raw HTML and do not execute shortcodes.
Do not put the wrong shortcode on a required page. For example, the learner dashboard page needs the dashboard shortcode, not a course list shortcode.
If a shortcode returns a login or verification message, that may be correct. Some LMS screens require a logged-in, verified learner.
Admin Preview
What it is
Admin preview lets authorised administrators preview course, module, lesson and quiz screens without needing to create learner progress just to inspect the page.
Preview is useful while building content, checking layout or confirming that the front-end page displays. It is not the same as a full learner test.
How to use it
Use the Preview action from the course, module or lesson list when you want to inspect the front-end view quickly. This is useful after editing settings or content.
Use admin preview to check layout, headings, media and navigation. Then run a separate learner test using a real learner account to confirm access, email verification, progress and quizzes.
Use preview before publishing if you want to catch obvious content or layout mistakes.
Possible problems or common mistakes
Do not rely on admin preview as the only test. Administrators may have permissions that normal learners do not.
If a preview works but the learner cannot access the same item, check learner access, email verification, course publication and progression rules.
If preview opens the wrong item, check the course, module or lesson relationships and make sure the correct linked content page is being edited.
Shortcode Reference
The following shortcodes are the actual technical shortcode names used by Holographic Training LMS. Do not rename them. The public wording in this guide uses Holographic Training LMS or HoloLMS, but shortcodes must remain exactly as registered by the plugin.
| Shortcode | What It Displays | Notes |
|---|---|---|
[hotlms_register] | Learner registration form. | Used for front-end learner sign-up. |
[hotlms_verify_email] | Email verification handler. | Required for learner email verification links. |
[hotlms_login] | Learner login form. | Separate from WordPress administrator login. |
[hotlms_logout] | Learner logout link. | Can be used in learner-facing areas. |
[hotlms_forgot_password] | Forgot password form. | Lets learners request a reset email. |
[hotlms_reset_password] | Reset password form. | Used from password reset links. |
[hotlms_dashboard] | Learner dashboard. | Shows course access and progress for logged-in learners. |
[hotlms_course_list] | Course list. | Shows published courses unless hidden from listing. |
[hotlms_courses] | Course list alias. | Alternative shortcode for the course list. |
[hotlms_course_catalogue] | Course catalogue. | Supports search, filters, sorting, limit and catalogue-style cards. |
[hotlms_course_search] | Course search and filters. | Useful for searchable catalogue pages. |
[hotlms_course] | Single course view. | Normally used on the Course page created by Page Setup. |
[hotlms_module] | Single module view. | Normally used on the Module page created by Page Setup. |
[hotlms_lesson] | Single lesson view. | Normally used on the Lesson page created by Page Setup. |
[hotlms_quiz] | Lesson quiz screen. | Displays the quiz for the current lesson. |
[hotlms_next_lesson] | Next lesson navigation. | Can guide learners to the next lesson. |
[hotlms_continue_learning] | Continue learning block. | Helps learners return to their current place. |
[hotlms_progress] | Progress display. | Supports scope and id attributes for progress displays. |
Recommended Core Build Workflow
- Run Page Setup. Create all required front-end pages.
- Save WordPress permalinks. Refresh URL routing after pages are created.
- Check Settings. Confirm colours, session behaviour, privacy mode and uninstall behaviour.
- Create the course. Add title, slug, short description, progression mode and labels. Keep it unpublished while building.
- Create modules. Add each course section in the correct order.
- Create lessons. Add lessons inside the correct modules and set their order.
- Edit visible content. Use the WordPress editor, Elementor, HoloEdit or another suitable visual editor for course, module and lesson content.
- Add quizzes. Attach basic lesson quizzes where needed and set sensible pass marks.
- Run Course Tools checks. Use the visual map, broken link checker and readiness checklist.
- Create a test learner. Use an email address you can access.
- Grant course access. Give the learner access from the Learners screen.
- Test the learner journey. Register, verify email, log in, open the dashboard, enter the course, complete lessons and take quizzes.
- Publish the course. Publish only when the full front-end learner journey works.
Support Checklist
Before opening a support request, collect the Holographic Training LMS Core version, WordPress version, PHP version, affected page URL, exact steps to reproduce the issue, screenshots if useful, and any visible error message. Do not include passwords, private keys, licence keys or sensitive login details.