Apply a set, change it, start again
A ready folder set should give you a tree without touching your files, and let you change your mind. These checks apply a built-in set to a library that already has folders, apply it a second time, upload a custom set, export the tree, reset everything and bring the tree back from the export. Every file was still in place after each step.
The claim we are testing
“A set creates empty folders. It does not delete, move or upload any file again. If a folder with the same name already exists, Plathix keeps both.”
Why this is worth testing
A set that moved files, replaced a folder you already use or left you with no way back would be a trap, not a start. So the checks run on a library that already has a tree and files in it, read every file’s ID and URL before and after each step, and end with the reset that people fear most.
What we check
- Apply the E-Commerce set to a library with 9 folders and 12 files, and compare the new folders with the set definition.
- Look at what happened to Brand, a folder the library already had.
- Apply the same set a second time.
- Upload a custom preset ZIP with 8 folders on two levels, apply it and compare.
- Export the structure from Plathix → Tools and read the ZIP.
- Run Start from scratch and count the folders and the files.
- Upload the export again and apply it after the reset.
Results
| What we checked | Result |
|---|---|
| Apply a built-in set: the folders match the set definition | Passed — E-Commerce: 8 folders created, Products › Electronics, Clothing, Home & Garden; Banners; Brand › Logos, Icons |
| A folder name that already exists is kept; the new one gets “- imported” | Passed — the library’s own Brand kept its file; the set added “Brand - imported” with Logos and Icons |
| Media files are not moved by applying a set | Passed — all 12 file URLs identical, Uncategorized count unchanged |
| Apply the same set twice: nothing is replaced, the second copy is suffixed | Passed — “Products - imported”, “Banners - imported”, “Brand - imported 2”; the first copy untouched |
| Upload your own preset ZIP and apply it: the card appears, the folders and nesting match the file | Passed — a Custom card with the ZIP’s title; 8 folders on two levels, as in the file |
| Export the structure: the ZIP holds every folder with its nesting, no files | Passed — preset.plx.md with all 33 folders of the tree at that moment, plus the set’s preview image; no media files |
| Start from scratch removes every user folder and keeps every media file | Passed — 0 user folders left; 12 of 12 files still in the library, all in Uncategorized |
| Upload the exported ZIP and apply it: the same tree comes back | Passed — 33 folders, the same names and nesting; run on the same site after the reset |
How we tested
LAB-2026-10-20-PRESETS: 20 Oct 2026, browser automation against a live WordPress 7.1.3 site, PHP 8.5.10, Plathix Free 1.0.0 (build b9d2149b), a demo library of 12 images in a Blog & Content tree with one extra folder.
Known limits
- The export was applied on the same site after a reset, not on a second site. Carrying a structure to another site uses the same upload and apply steps.
- Start from scratch and applying a set have no undo. The checks confirm the files stay; they do not bring the folders back.
- The exported set is named after the site, and the ZIP includes a preview image. The folders in this run had no colors or favorites, so carrying them was not part of these checks.
Not covered yet
- The setup dialog on first activation (the same Apply button on a different screen).
- A custom ZIP at the limits: 200 folders or 7 levels.
- Presets on a multisite network.
Related
Test it on your own site
Plathix Free installs in a minute and deactivates cleanly. Your library is the only benchmark that counts.