JSM Show Post Metadata

What is JSM Show Post Metadata?

JSM Show Post Metadata is a zero-configuration plugin that reveals hidden custom field data inside the WordPress editor. Created by veteran developer JS Morisset, the plugin has been actively maintained for 10 years. It adds a dedicated metabox at the bottom of post, page, and custom post type editing screens. Inside that box, you see every meta key and its unserialized value. There are no settings pages and no configuration required. Simply install, activate, and the metadata table appears.

As of its latest update on Jun 10, 2026, the plugin runs at version 4.9.0. It holds 10K+ active installs and carries a 5.0/5 rating from 12 ratings. Every single rating is 00% of reviewers gave it top marks. Zero one-star ratings exist. This clean record reflects a decade of focused development on a single, well-defined task: letting you view custom fields in the post editor without clutter or overhead.

Key Features of JSM Show Post Metadata

• Instant Metabox Display — Shows all post meta keys and unserialized values in a sortable table at the bottom of the editing screen, with no setup required.
• Developer Filter Hooks — Six WordPress filters let developers customize which metadata appears, which meta keys to exclude, and which user capabilities can view or delete the data.
• Inline Meta Deletion — Users with manage_options capability can delete individual meta rows directly from the metabox using a configurable icon button.
• Custom Post Type Support — Works automatically for posts, pages, and all custom post types, with a filter to disable it per post type if needed.
• WooCommerce HPOS Notice — The plugin displays a clear note that WooCommerce High-Performance Order Storage orders are not post objects, directing users to the companion JSM Show Order Metadata plugin.
• Unserialized Value Display — Complex serialized arrays and objects are expanded into readable tables, so you can inspect nested data without writing code.
• No Database Overhead — The plugin adds no custom tables, no options pages, and no background processes. It reads existing post meta using standard WordPress functions.

Who Should Use JSM Show Post Metadata?

This plugin targets developers, site builders, and advanced WordPress users who need to inspect custom field data. If you build sites with Advanced Custom Fields, Toolset, or hand-coded meta boxes, you will use this daily. It also suits support technicians debugging why a plugin or theme stores unexpected values. With 10K+ installs, the audience is clearly technical — beginners rarely need to see raw meta keys.

The ideal use case is a staging or development site where you troubleshoot field data. For example, you might need to check if a third-party plugin saves an option as a serialized array or a simple string. The metabox shows this instantly. Production sites benefit too, especially when you need to verify data after migration or update. The plugin requires no skill to use — it activates and works — but understanding what you see requires basic WordPress metadata knowledge.

Installation & Setup

Install JSM Show Post Metadata like any WordPress plugin: search for it in the plugin directory, install, and activate. There are zero settings pages, no configuration wizards, and no onboarding steps. The metabox appears immediately on every post editing screen for users with manage_options capability. Beginners can install it in under 30 seconds. Advanced users can add the provided filter hooks to a theme's functions.php file for finer control over which metadata displays.

Support & Community

Support data from the last two months shows 1 open thread and 0 resolved threads, giving a 0% resolution rate. This figure looks concerning at first glance, but the context matters. The plugin has been stable for 10 years and has no settings to break. Most users never need support. The single open thread likely reflects a niche edge case rather than widespread issues. The 100% five-star rating from 12 reviews reinforces that the plugin works reliably for the vast majority of installs.

The developer, JS Morisset, maintains a family of related plugins — Show Comment Metadata, Show Order Metadata for WooCommerce HPOS, Show Term Metadata, Show User Metadata, and Show Registered Shortcodes. This ecosystem suggests active, sustained development across a consistent codebase. Users with advanced needs can rely on the documented filter hooks rather than waiting for forum replies. For a tool this simple, the low support volume signals stability, not neglect.