Deploy WordPress with Ease: A WP-CLI Tutorial

Unlock the Power of WordPress with WP-CLI

As the world’s most popular content management system, WordPress is used by 39% of all websites. Its flexibility and ease of use make it an ideal solution for clients who want to manage their own content. However, as a developer, you’re responsible for the installation and setup process, which can be time-consuming and tedious. That’s where WP-CLI comes in – a game-changing tool that streamlines your workflow and saves you hours of manual labor.

What is WP-CLI?

WP-CLI is the official command-line interface for WordPress, allowing you to perform a wide range of development tasks from the comfort of your terminal. With WP-CLI, you can update plugins, configure multisite installations, and access many features of the WordPress Admin panel without ever leaving the command line. This powerful tool boosts your efficiency and frees up your time to focus on more creative pursuits.

Getting Started with WP-CLI

To harness the power of WP-CLI, you’ll need a server with SSH access, a user account, and password. You’ll also need SSH secure shell software on your local computer. If you have cPanel, that’s a nice-to-have, but not essential.

Understanding SSH and OpenSSH

SSH (Secure Shell) uses encryption to allow you to log into a remote server and run commands securely. OpenSSH is an open-source implementation of the SSH protocol, supplied with most Linux distributions, macOS, and Windows 10. To check if you have OpenSSH installed, simply type ssh-V in your terminal.

Logging into Your Server Using SSH

To log into your server using SSH, you’ll need to acquire the following information:

• HostName: The name used to identify the server on a network
• User: Your username on the server
• Port: An address on the server associated with the protocol type for communication (SSH in this case)
• IdentityFile: The private key that matches the public key on the server

You can find this information in cPanel or by contacting your hosting provider.

Installing WP-CLI on Your Server

Installing WP-CLI is a straightforward process. Simply follow these steps:

1. Create a directory in your home directory with permission to use and that is in your $PATH.
2. Execute the commands to install WP-CLI onto your server into the ~/bin/ directory.
3. Test that it’s installed and working by running wp --info.

Installing WordPress

With WP-CLI installed, you can now install WordPress on your server. Here’s how:

1. Choose where to install WordPress, taking into account the directory structure of your server.
2. Create a database using cPanel MySQL Database Wizard or phpMyAdmin.
3. Download the core WordPress files for your chosen language.
4. Set up wp-config.php by adding the database details.
5. Run the final installation command to complete the process.

Post-Installation Setup

Once WordPress is installed, you can customize it to your heart’s content. Here are a few essential tasks to get you started:

• Set up pretty URLs for better SEO.
• Delete unwanted plugins.
• Install and activate the plugins you need.
• Install and activate themes.

Time-Saving Commands with WP-CLI

WP-CLI offers a range of time-saving commands that can help you manage your WordPress site more efficiently. Here are a few examples:

• Check for file tampering with wp plugin verify-checksums --all.
• Export your database for backing up with wp db export.
• Display all your media file sizes with wp media image-size.

By mastering WP-CLI, you’ll unlock a world of possibilities and become a more efficient and effective developer. So why wait? Dive in and discover the power of WP-CLI today!