# Wordpress Setup

Connect to a WordPress site via WP-CLI over SSH or the REST API.

- Repository: https://github.com/jezweb/claude-skills (1094 stars)
- Category: Testing
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-10-09
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add jezweb/claude-skills --skill wordpress-setup -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add jezweb/claude-skills --skill wordpress-setup -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add jezweb/claude-skills --skill wordpress-setup -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add jezweb/claude-skills --skill wordpress-setup -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add jezweb/claude-skills`

## Description

Connect to a WordPress site via WP-CLI over SSH or the REST API. Check CLI, test SSH, set up auth, verify access, save config. Use whenever the user wants to connect to a WordPress site, set up WP-CLI access, create an Application Password, or troubleshoot WordPress connection / auth issues.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# WordPress Setup

Connect to a WordPress site and verify working access via WP-CLI or REST API. Produces a verified connection config ready for content management and Elementor editing.

## Workflow

### Step 1: Check WP-CLI

```bash
wp --version
```

If not installed, guide the user:

```bash
# macOS/Linux
curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wp-cli/builds/gh-pages/phar/wp-cli.phar
chmod +x wp-cli.phar
sudo mv wp-cli.phar /usr/local/bin/wp
```

Also ensure the SSH extension is available (needed for remote sites):

```bash
wp package install wp-cli/ssh-command
```

### Step 2: Connect to the Site

**Option A: WP-CLI over SSH (preferred)**

```bash
wp --ssh=user@hostname/path/to/wordpress option get siteurl
```

Common patterns:
- Rocket.net: `wp --ssh=user@hostname/www/sitename/public option get siteurl`
- cPanel: `wp --ssh=user@hostname/public_html option get siteurl`
- Custom: Ask user for SSH user, host, and WordPress path

Test with a simple command first:

```bash
wp --ssh=user@host/path core version
```

**Option B: REST API with Application Password**

If SSH isn't available:

1. Navigate to `https://example.com/wp-admin/profile.php` (or use browser automation)
2. Scroll to "Application Passwords" section
3. Enter a name (e.g. "Claude Code") and click "Add New Application Password"
4. Copy the generated password (spaces are part of it but optional in auth)

Test the connection:

```bash
curl -s https://example.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts?per_page=1 \
  -u "username:xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx" | jq '.[0].title'
```

### Step 3: Store Credentials

**For WP-CLI SSH**, create a `wp-cli.yml` in the project root:

```yaml
ssh:
  sitename:
    cmd: ssh -o StrictHostKeyChecking=no %pseudotty% user@hostname %cmd%
    url: /path/to/wordpress
```

Then use: `wp @sitename option get siteurl`

**For REST API**, store in `.dev.vars`:

```
WP_SITE_URL=https://example.com
WP_USERNAME=admin
WP_APP_PASSWORD=xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx
```

The rest: https://github.com/jezweb/claude-skills/blob/HEAD/plugins/wordpress/skills/wordpress-setup/SKILL.md