Managing WordPress through the admin panel is user-friendly for both beginners and developers. However, another powerful method is using the WordPress Command-Line Interface (WP-CLI). This command-line tool allows website administrators to manage their sites with simple commands, eliminating the need to navigate the admin panel for certain tasks. With WP-CLI, you can efficiently execute tasks such as installing plugins, activating themes, and updating WordPress.
Benefits of Using WP-CLI
The primary advantage of WP-CLI is its ability to save time when configuring WordPress sites and performing tasks that are not directly supported by the admin panel. For instance, you can install multiple plugins simultaneously on a WordPress multisite environment or generate bulk posts using commands.
How to Install WP-CLI on Your WordPress Website
Before installing WP-CLI, ensure your environment meets the following specifications:
- A UNIX-like environment (OS X, Linux, FreeBSD, Cygwin)
- The latest version of PHP
- The latest version of WordPress
- A hosting account with SSH access
Follow these steps to install WP-CLI:
-
Download the WP-CLI PHAR File: Open your terminal and run the following command to download the
wp-cli.phar
file to your root directory: -
Verify the Installation: Check if the file is working by executing:
-
Make the File Executable: To use the
wp
command, make the file executable with this command: -
Move the File to a Directory: Move the file to a location in your system’s PATH so that you can run the
wp
command from anywhere: -
Test the Installation: Confirm the successful installation by running:
If everything is set up correctly, you will see information about the WP-CLI version.
Getting Started with WP-CLI
You are now ready to use the WP-CLI tool to manage your WordPress site more efficiently.
Accessing Help Documentation
To access the built-in documentation and view the list of WP-CLI commands, use:
Check WP-CLI Version
To check the version of WP-CLI installed, run:
Server and WordPress Configuration Information
For detailed information about your server and WordPress configuration, use:
Updating WP-CLI
To update WP-CLI, use the command: