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Deadman Switch - Auto catalog mode
meddeadman
Your store automatically switches to catalog mode when no admin has been active for too long — and reopens itself as soon as you return.
Data sheet
| Version | 1.0.0 |
| Core modifications (override) | No |
| Third party subscription: | No |
| Translation : | bg-da-de-el-es-et-fi-fr-hu-it-ja-nl-pl-pt-ro-sk-sv-uk |
| Compatible Prestashop 1.6 | Yes |
| Compatible Prestashop 1.7 | Yes |
| Compatible PrestaShop 8 | Yes |
| Compatible PrestaShop 9 | Yes |
| Compatible thirtybees 1.1 | Yes |
| Compatible thirtybees 1.2 | Yes |
| Compatible thirtybees 1.3 | Yes |
| Compatible thirtybees 1.4 | Yes |
| Compatible thirtybees 1.5 | Yes |
| Compatible thirtybees 1.6 | Oui |
| PhenixSuite compatible | Yes |
| Multi Shop compatible: | Yes |
| Free module download | https://link.prestatoolbox.fr/meddeadman |
| PrestaShop Forum | https://forum.prestashop.com/topic/1106248-free-module-deadman-switch-%E2%80%93-automatic-catalog-mode-on-absence/ |
More info
The problem
You go on holiday, your team is unavailable, something unexpected comes up… Your store keeps accepting orders that nobody can fulfil.
The result: unhappy customers, negative reviews, disputes and complaints waiting for you on your return. A real threat to your reputation.
The solution
Deadman Switch monitors back-office admin activity. Once the inactivity threshold is reached, catalog mode activates automatically: your products remain visible but the store stops accepting orders.
As soon as an admin logs back in, catalog mode is deactivated automatically. No manual action needed.
How it works
Monitoring
The module silently records every back-office login and updates a last-activity timestamp on each admin page visit.
Trigger
If the configured delay has passed with no admin activity, catalog mode is activated and the event is logged to the PrestaShop logger.
Recovery
As soon as an administrator returns to the back office, catalog mode is automatically deactivated and the store reopens.
Features
Automatic trigger
- Configurable inactivity delay (default: 7 days)
- Front-office check throttled to once per hour maximum
- Event logging via the PrestaShop logger
- No manual action required
Automatic recovery
- Deactivation triggered on first admin back-office visit
- Warning notification displayed to the returning admin
- Timestamp updated on every admin page visit
- No additional configuration required
Status dashboard
- Last admin activity date and time
- Days remaining before trigger
- Current catalog mode status of the store
- Color-coded indicators (green / orange / red)
Manual controls
- Manual activity timer reset
- Manual catalog mode deactivation
- One-click module enable/disable
- Visible alert banner when catalog mode is forced
Use cases
Solo merchant on holiday
Your store protects itself automatically while you’re away — without you having to think about it.
Seasonal store
Nobody logs in during the off-season? The store automatically switches to safe mode until activity resumes.
Agency managing multiple clients
Manage stores for low-activity clients without the risk of unprocessed orders piling up in their absence.
Unexpected absence or emergency
Sick leave, incident, outage… the store protects itself if nobody returns to the back office in time.
Installation
Download the module and install it from your back office (Modules > Module Manager)
The module automatically registers on the required hooks — no database table is created
Set your desired inactivity delay in the configuration page
That’s it — the module silently watches over your store from that moment on
Changelog
1.0.0 - 21/03/2026
- Initial version
- Automatic activation of catalog mode after a configurable number of days without back-office administrative activity
- Automatic deactivation of catalog mode when an administrator returns to the back office
- Status dashboard: date of last activity, time remaining, storage mode
- Manually reset the timer and disable catalog mode
- Event logging via the PrestaShop logger
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