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Local Testing

How to install and test your module in a local Gambio shop before publishing.

Installation

  1. Copy your module directory into the shop:
cp -r src/GXModules/AcmeCorp /var/www/gambio-shop/GXModules/AcmeCorp
  1. Clear the shop cache:
  2. Admin > Toolbox > Cache > Clear all
  3. Or delete the cache/ directory contents manually

  4. Go to Admin > Modules > Module Center and find your module in the list.

  5. Click Install to activate it.

Developer Mode

Create an empty file named .dev-environment in the shop root to enable developer mode:

touch /var/www/gambio-shop/.dev-environment

Developer mode: - Shows detailed PHP error messages - Disables template caching - Enables debug output

To disable developer mode, delete the file:

rm /var/www/gambio-shop/.dev-environment

Important: Always disable developer mode before deploying to production or creating a release.

Testing Checklist

Module Center

  • [ ] Module appears in the Module Center list
  • [ ] Title and description are displayed correctly
  • [ ] Module can be installed without errors
  • [ ] Module can be uninstalled without errors
  • [ ] Re-installation works (install > uninstall > install)

Configuration Page

  • [ ] All configuration fields are rendered correctly
  • [ ] Required fields show validation errors when empty
  • [ ] Saving configuration works
  • [ ] Default values are applied on first install
  • [ ] Tooltips are displayed
  • [ ] Buttons trigger the correct actions
  • [ ] Modals open and close properly

Translations

  • [ ] German translations appear when shop language is German
  • [ ] English translations appear when shop language is English
  • [ ] No missing translation keys (shown as raw keys like my_module.LABEL_XYZ)

Storefront (if applicable)

  • [ ] CSS is loaded on the correct pages
  • [ ] JavaScript executes without console errors
  • [ ] Template overrides render correctly
  • [ ] Module works with Malibu theme
  • [ ] Module works with Honeygrid theme (if targeting "All" themes)

Admin Overloads (if applicable)

  • [ ] Order detail page shows custom content
  • [ ] No PHP errors in admin area

Cronjobs (if applicable)

  • [ ] Cronjob appears in Admin > Toolbox > Cronjobs
  • [ ] Cronjob executes without errors
  • [ ] Logs are written correctly

Common Issues

Module not appearing in Module Center

  • Check that GXModule.json exists and is valid JSON
  • Clear the shop cache
  • Check file permissions (web server must be able to read the files)

Translations showing as raw keys

  • Verify the language file name matches the section prefix (e.g. my_module.lang.inc.php for keys like my_module.PAGE_TITLE)
  • Check for PHP syntax errors in the language file
  • Clear the shop cache

Overloads not working

  • Verify the directory name matches the target class name exactly
  • Check that your class extends {ClassName}_parent
  • Verify the file uses .inc.php extension
  • Clear the shop cache

Theme changes not visible

  • Clear the shop cache (Gambio builds themes into a temporary directory)
  • Check that files are in the correct Shop/Themes/All/ path
  • Verify directory names for JavaScript match the page name exactly

Next Steps