A comprehensive reference of technical terms, concepts, and acronyms used throughout Order Daemon documentation and the plugin itself.
A
Action
The “THEN” part of a completion rule that executes when all conditions are met. Actions include completing the order, sending emails, adding notes, and triggering webhooks. See also: Configuring Actions
Action Scheduler
WooCommerce’s built-in system for managing background tasks and scheduled events. Order Daemon uses Action Scheduler to process orders asynchronously without blocking the checkout process.
Action Scheduler Queue
The internal queue system within Action Scheduler that manages and processes background tasks. Order Daemon leverages this queue for asynchronous order processing and audit logging.
Asynchronous Logging
Non-blocking audit trail recording system that queues log entries for background processing, ensuring logging operations never impact checkout performance.
Asynchronous Processing
A method where tasks run in the background without blocking the main process. Order Daemon processes orders asynchronously to ensure checkout performance isn’t affected.
Audit Log
A comprehensive log of all decisions and actions taken by Order Daemon. Every rule evaluation, condition check, and action execution is recorded for transparency and debugging. Viewed through the Insight Dashboard interface. See also: Using the Insight Dashboard
Auto-Refresh
Real-time updating feature in the Insight Dashboard that automatically fetches new log entries every 5 seconds (configurable). Provides live monitoring of automation activity without manual page refreshes.
B
Background Processing
The system of handling order completion and logging tasks in the background without affecting the user-facing checkout experience. Ensures optimal site performance during high-traffic periods.
C
Completion Rule
A set of triggers, conditions, and actions that define when and how an order should be automatically completed. Rules are stored as a custom post type in WordPress.
Composite Indexes
Database performance optimization features that combine multiple columns into single indexes for faster query execution. Order Daemon uses composite indexes for common query patterns like status+timestamp.
Condition
The “IF” part of a completion rule that must be satisfied for actions to execute. Conditions check order properties like product types, totals, and customer information. See also: Setting Up Conditions
Conflict Detection
System for identifying and handling situations where multiple rules might apply to the same order. Order Daemon uses “First Rule Wins” logic to prevent conflicts.
CPT
Custom Post Type. Order Daemon stores completion rules as a CPT called odcm_completion_rule.
Cron
A time-based job scheduler in Unix-like systems. WordPress uses wp-cron to handle scheduled tasks, which Action Scheduler leverages for background processing.
D
Daemon
In computing, a daemon is a background process that runs continuously to handle system tasks. Order Daemon takes its name from this concept, as it continuously monitors and processes orders in the background.
Debug Mode
A development setting that enables verbose logging and additional diagnostic information. Enable with define('ODCM_DEBUG', true) in wp-config.php.
Dual-Table Architecture
Performance-optimized database design that separates frequently accessed audit log data from detailed payload information. Improves query performance and scalability for large datasets.
E
Event Type
Classification system for different kinds of audit log entries (e.g., order_completed, rule_matched, condition_evaluated). Used for filtering and organizing audit trail data.
Executor
The core class OrderDaemon\CompletionManager\Core\Executor) responsible for processing orders, evaluating rules, and executing actions.
F
Filter
A WordPress hook type that allows modifying data before it’s used. Order Daemon provides filters like odcm_order_has_conflicts for customizing plugin behavior.
First Rule Wins
Order Daemon’s processing logic where the first rule whose conditions are all met will execute, and no subsequent rules are evaluated for that order.
Foreign Key Constraints
Database integrity features that ensure data consistency between related tables. Order Daemon uses foreign keys to maintain referential integrity between audit logs and orders.
G
Glass Box Philosophy
Order Daemon’s commitment to transparency. Unlike “black box” systems, every decision is logged and explainable, building trust through visibility and making troubleshooting straightforward.
H
Hook
A WordPress mechanism for extending functionality. Includes both actions (do something) and filters (modify data). Order Daemon provides numerous hooks for customization.
I
Insight Dashboard
Order Daemon’s modern, real-time audit log analysis interface featuring a three-pane layout (filters, log stream, details). Provides advanced filtering, auto-refresh capabilities, and detailed log inspection with component rendering. Accessed via WooCommerce → Insight Dashboard.
J
JSON Payload
Structured data format used to store detailed information in audit log entries. Contains comprehensive context about events, performance metrics, and system state.
L
Log Category
Organizational grouping system for audit events (core, addon, custom, system, debug). Helps filter and organize different types of logged activities.
Log Retention
The policy for how long audit trail entries are kept. Premium users can configure retention periods to manage database size.
M
Menu Order
A WordPress post property used by Order Daemon to determine rule priority. Lower numbers execute first.
O
ODCM
Abbreviation for “Order Daemon Completion Manager,” used as a prefix in function names, database tables, and hooks throughout the plugin.
odcm_log_custom_event()
Primary API function for logging custom events to the audit trail. Accepts summary, payload data, order ID, status, and event type parameters.
odcm_log_registered_event()
API function for logging predefined event types that are part of the internal event registry system. Uses standardized event slugs and context data.
Order
A record of a customer’s purchase transaction stored as a WordPress custom post type (shop_order). Contains comprehensive details including purchased products, quantities, pricing, customer information, billing and shipping addresses, payment method, taxes, and tracking metadata. Orders progress through various statuses (pending, processing, completed, etc.) and serve as the central data structure for ecommerce transactions in WooCommerce.
Order Status
WooCommerce’s system for tracking order progress. Common statuses include pending, processing, on-hold, completed, cancelled, and refunded.
P
Payload
The detailed data package logged with each audit trail entry. Stored separately in the wp_odcm_audit_log_payloads table for performance optimization. Contains structured JSON data with comprehensive event context.
Performance Targets
System benchmarks and monitoring thresholds for processing speed, memory usage, and database performance. Order Daemon maintains specific targets for optimal operation.
Post Status
WordPress’s content state system. Order Daemon uses ‘publish’ for active rules and ‘draft’ for inactive rules.
Premium Feature
Functionality that requires a license key to access. These features extend the plugin’s capabilities beyond the free version, focusing on advanced automation and developer tools.
Priority
The execution order of rules, determined by the menu_order field. Also refers to WordPress hook priority for action/filter execution order.
R
Registry Extension
The process of adding custom functionality to Order Daemon via the registry system. Allows developers to register custom triggers, conditions, and actions.
Registry System
Extensible framework that allows developers to register custom triggers, conditions, and actions. Provides standardized interfaces for extending plugin functionality.
Rule
See: Completion Rule
Rule Builder
The WordPress admin interface component where rule settings are configured. Order Daemon’s meta box contains triggers, conditions, and actions.
Rule Priority
The order in which rules are evaluated, determined by the WordPress menu_order field. Lower numbers have higher priority and execute first.
S
Short-circuit Evaluation
The logical evaluation method where condition checking stops as soon as one condition fails, improving performance by avoiding unnecessary processing.
Surgeon’s Scalpel Philosophy
Order Daemon’s design principle of doing one thing exceptionally well (order completion) rather than many things adequately. Emphasizes precision over feature breadth.
T
Trigger
The “WHEN” part of a completion rule that initiates evaluation. Common triggers include payment completion and order status changes. See also: Understanding Triggers
V
Virtual Product
A WooCommerce product type that doesn’t require physical shipping. Often used for digital goods, services, and downloadable items.
W
Webhook
An HTTP callback that sends data to external URLs when events occur. Order Daemon can send webhooks when orders complete.
WooCommerce
The open-source eCommerce platform for WordPress that Order Daemon extends. Required for Order Daemon to function.
WP-CLI
WordPress Command Line Interface. Order Daemon provides WP-CLI commands (Premium Feature) for managing rules and logs from the terminal. See also: WP-CLI Commands
wp-config.php
WordPress’s main configuration file where constants like ODCM_IS_PREMIUM_DEBUG are defined.
This glossary is continuously updated as new features and concepts are added to Order Daemon. For the most current information, refer to the specific documentation sections.