Pioneer Work: The Journey to a Perfect KrafterPRO Plugin
Building something that has never existed before is always a challenge. Currently, we are working intensely on the KrafterPRO code to make it the stable, high-performance tool you deserve. With over 5,700 lines of code, this is a massive project, and we are fine-tuning every single one of them.
We Hear You: Every Bug Counts
Every bug report we receive is being recorded and investigated. We are trying to reproduce every issue to find a permanent fix. Step by step, the plugin is becoming better and more reliable. However, this level of precision takes time. We truly appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this "pioneer work" together.
How You Can Help Us Help You
To solve technical issues quickly, we need specific details. If you encounter a problem, please ensure your environment is up to date. Old PHP versions or outdated databases are often the hidden cause of errors.
When posting a report, please always include:
- Divi 5 Version?
- PHP Version?
- Database Version? (Please check with your host if you are unsure)
The Power of Good Documentation
We are all grateful for thorough and objective documentation. If you can describe exactly what you did and in what order, it helps us find the "needle in the haystack" much faster.
Staying the Course
A plugin like this is a first of its kind. It’s an exciting journey, and your feedback is the fuel that keeps us going. By staying patient and providing clear data, you are helping us build a stable and excellent tool for the entire community.
THANK YOU for being part of this journey and for your continued support!
Mak will regularly provide updated versions for download. For now, most updates will focus specifically on the plugin itself. Even if the other JSON files are included in the download, this does not mean you have to re-import the KrafterPRO Preset JSON, the Theme Builder JSON, or the Components JSON every time. These files won't change just because the plugin receives a new minor version update.
IMPORTANT: Before installing a new version of the KrafterPRO PLUGIN, (only the PLUGIN and not the Presets, not the Components, not the Divi Templates) please deactivate and uninstall the old PLUGIN first. THX
The best way to share your experiences is to post them right here as a comment under this post. This way, everything stays in one place and isn't scattered throughout the blog system.
This is a helpful comment and I am about to install for the first time the latest Krafter Pro 2.01. Should I tack on my experience up dates here or is there a cleaner way to report what I am finding with the version info etc.? I am installing o a site I have already been struggling to complete and will report here now that Because of the training I picked up here I am able to assemble things better using flexbox on a simple page that has confounded me for the better part of 3 months. I hardcoded entire sections of the site because it was just easier to do that in a code block with 8 different media queries before learning how to use the system that cures me of that carving everything from wood approach. Initially it felt like things were moving too fast her for me to jump on but I am glad to contribute where I can to the onboarding and adaptation for others catching up. Also I'm a gamer who likes to gamify everything to keep myself invested for the endorphin hit. How to I move the needle on my leaderboard score? ADHD can work in my favor if I knkow how to tap into it. HAhaha!
Please keep in mind that there is a key difference: the KrafterPRO Design System and the KrafterPRO Plugin are two different things!
Mak’s KrafterPRO Design System is essentially a JSON file that sets up all the variables and presets within Divi 5. To give your website a professional finish, it also includes templates for the Divi Theme Builder. Without these, you would have to build the header and footer from scratch yourself. This system saves you a lot of time and ensures your site meets modern standards right out of the box. Additionally, Mak provides a JSON file with modular components—similar to Divi’s premade layouts, but as flexible, individual building blocks. The heart of it all, however, remains the JSON file containing the variables and presets.
You don't actually need the KrafterPRO Plugin to use these files. The plugin was developed as a helper because Divi 5’s native import/export options are still quite basic and spread out. It also helps manage the "preset chaos"—it can be quite a headache to keep track of variables or delete old presets in Divi 5's current manager. This isn't a flaw in KrafterPRO, but rather a limitation of the current Divi 5 version.
The real benefit is that this system allows for consistent, fluid, and responsive design directly in the Visual Builder. You no longer have to manually tweak every module for every device or write complex media queries. It’s a much more efficient way to work.
You’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed. Elegant Themes has been releasing updates at a record pace, and even for experts like Mak, it’s been a sprint to keep up. For newcomers, it’s even tougher because they are often guided back to "old" workflows, making it hard to grasp the power of variables and design systems at first.
For me, this isn't about points or leaderboards. My personal "game" is simply understanding how everything connects. When I started with earlier versions of Divi, I was often amazed by great sites but didn't understand the "how" behind them. The real thrill for me is that moment of clarity.
I value this community because it’s about helping each other. We’ve all been at a point where we couldn't see the forest for the trees. Sharing solutions moves everyone forward and keeps the tools we use exciting. If I did this for points or money, the spirit would be lost—it would just be a job. But doing it with passion makes the difference.
If it motivates you, then keep reading, learning, and sharing your journey. The whole community benefits from your experience!
Yep. Trying to take it all in and share shortcuts where I find them. Glad to contribute.
>>>this does not mean you have to re-import the KrafterPRO Preset JSON, the Theme Builder JSON, or the Components JSON every time. These files won't change just because the plugin receives a new minor version update.
Ah, thanks for that. Got tripped up by this last time and lost a couple of custom presets and templates that I had tweaked but failed to re-name properly. I think I'm on the right track now, but would love it if someone would write a bit about best-practices for renaming and librarianship for those inevitable personalized presets and templates . . .
Awesome work Frank (and Mak); I read these update posts first thing everyday 🤓