# Getting Started

## Installing the plugin

### **Using the WordPress Search**

1. Navigate to the **Add New** in the plugins dashboard
2. Search for **WP Query Engine**
3. Click **Install Now**
4. Activate the plugin on the plugin dashboard

### **Uploading Using WordPress**

1. Navigate to the **Add New** in the plugins dashboard
2. Navigate to the **Upload** area
3. Select `wp-query-engine.zip` from your computer
4. Click **Install Now**
5. Activate the plugin in the plugin dashboard

### **Using FTP**

1. [Download](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-query-engine/) `wp-query-engine.zip`
2. Extract the `wp-query-engine` directory to your computer
3. Upload the `wp-query-engine` directory to the `/wp-content/plugins/` directory
4. Activate the plugin in the plugin dashboard

## Using the plugin

### Shortcode

Simple place the shortcode **\[wp\_query]** anywhere in your content. The [shortcode takes several optional arguments](https://docs.wpcodelabs.com/plugins/wp-query-engine/shortcode) to customize the query, and the output.