peterarends

Simple Page Cache is an extremely simple, super-fast page cache for WordPress. The plugin stores full HTML pages on disk for non-logged-in visitors. The cache is automatically cleared when content is updated, ensuring visitors always see fresh content. Ideal for small to medium-sized sites and webshops that want maximum speed without complex settings.
Main features: 
– Caching for non-logged-in users (GET requests only) 
– Path-based cache structure for nginx direct serving (<code>/host/path/index.html</code>) 
– Cache files are stored in <code>/wp-content/uploads/simple-page-cache/</code> 
– Drop-in (<code>advanced-cache.php</code>) for maximum speed before WordPress loads 
– Nginx configuration generation for direct cache serving 
– Automatic cache clearing when posts/pages are updated 
– E-commerce integration with intelligent cache clearing for: 
 – WooCommerce (orders, stock updates, product changes) 
 – Easy Digital Downloads (purchases, download updates) 
 – BigCommerce for WordPress (product updates) 
 – Generic e-commerce plugins (product post types) 
– Automatic detection of dynamic pages (cart, checkout, account, wishlist) for: 
 – WooCommerce 
 – BigCommerce for WordPress 
 – Easy Digital Downloads 
 – iThemes Exchange 
 – Jigoshop 
 – WP-Shop 
– Detected dynamic pages are automatically excluded from caching 
– Manual cache clearing via admin bar button 
– Nginx config regeneration via admin bar button 
– Performance comments in cached HTML files 
– No complex settings, no database writes
<h3>Nginx Configuration</h3>
For maximum performance, you can configure nginx to serve cached files directly without PHP processing:
<ol>
<li>Copy the nginx configuration from <code>/wp-content/uploads/simple-page-cache/nginx.conf</code></li>
<li>Add the configuration to your nginx server block for your domain</li>
<li>Test nginx configuration: <code>sudo nginx -t</code></li>
<li>Reload nginx: <code>sudo systemctl reload nginx</code></li>
</ol>
The nginx configuration includes: 
– Internal location block for serving cached files 
– Automatic cache bypass for logged-in users 
– Automatic cache bypass for requests with query strings 
– Debug headers to identify cache hits
Benefits of nginx direct serving: 
– Faster response times (no PHP processing) 
– Lower server load 
– Better scalability 
– Direct file serving from disk
<h3>How it works</h3>
<ul>
<li>For every non-logged-in visitor and every GET request, a static HTML file is created and served.</li>
<li>Path-based cache structure: Cache files are organized as <code>/host/path/index.html</code> for direct nginx serving.</li>
<li>Pages with characteristics of dynamic e-commerce pages (such as cart, checkout, account, wishlist) are automatically detected and excluded from caching. The plugin recognizes WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Easy Digital Downloads, iThemes Exchange, Jigoshop, and WP-Shop.</li>
<li>The list of excluded pages is automatically maintained in a file in the cache directory.</li>
<li>Automatic cache clearing: When posts or pages are updated, the plugin efficiently clears cache using the new path-based structure and scans for related content.</li>
<li>E-commerce integration: For WooCommerce, when orders are placed or product stock is updated, the plugin automatically clears cache for the affected products and related pages (categories, tags, shop pages, homepage).</li>
<li>Performance comments: Each cached HTML file includes a comment with timestamp and host information for debugging and transparency.</li>
<li>Nginx integration: Generated nginx configuration allows direct serving of cached files without PHP processing for maximum performance.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Clearing the cache</h3>
<ul>
<li>Click the “Clear Page Cache” button in the admin bar (visible to administrators only) to remove all cache files.</li>
<li>Click the “Regenerate nginx.conf” button in the admin bar to regenerate the nginx configuration file.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Deactivation</h3>
<ul>
<li>When deactivating the plugin:
<ul>
<li>The drop-in <code>advanced-cache.php</code> is removed.</li>
<li>The <code>define('WP_CACHE', true);</code> line (if placed by this plugin) is removed from <code>wp-config.php</code>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>

Simple Page Cache

Simple, blazing fast static page cache for WordPress. Caches HTML for non-logged-in users with intelligent cache clearing for e-commerce sites.

Josh Pollock

Ben Meredith

Jason Bahl

Headless mode sets up a redirect for all users trying to access the site. The only requests that are granted admission are ones that are either trying to access the REST API, the WP GraphQL API, or any logged-in user looking to access the headless install to edit or create posts.

Headless Mode

This tiny plugin works exactly as intended. 

Simple to set up and works great!

Once you take the head off of WordPress, nobody needs to see it. This plugin hides the front end by redirecting to the shiny static (etc) site.

Simple Page Cache vs Headless Mode