WP-CLI is a powerful command-line tool for managing WordPress sites. If you’re using LocalWP for your local WordPress development, you can leverage WP-CLI directly within the Site Shell. This guide will show you how to make the most of WP-CLI in LocalWP.

What is WP-CLI?

WP-CLI (WordPress Command Line Interface) allows developers to interact with and manage WordPress installations from the terminal. From installing plugins to managing posts, it simplifies repetitive tasks and enhances productivity.

Getting Started with WP-CLI in LocalWP

LocalWP provides a built-in Site Shell feature, making it effortless to use WP-CLI for any site you create within the tool.

Step 1: Open Site Shell

1. Launch LocalWP.
2. Click on the site you want to work on.
3. Go to the top-right corner and click “Open Site Shell”.
4. The terminal window will open, automatically navigating to the site’s environment with WP-CLI pre-installed.

Step 2: WP-CLI Quick Commands

A collection of useful WP-CLI commands for managing your WordPress site effectively.

1️⃣ WordPress Core Management

Check WordPress version:

  wp core version

Update WordPress:

  wp core update

2️⃣ Plugin Management

List installed plugins:

  wp plugin list

Update all plugins:

  wp plugin update --all

Install and activate a plugin:

  wp plugin install [plugin-name] --activate

3️⃣ Theme Management

List installed themes:

  wp theme list

Activate a theme:

  wp theme activate [theme-name]

Check inactive themes:

  wp theme list --status=inactive

4️⃣ User Management

List all users:

  wp user list

Create a new user:

  wp user create [username] [email] --role=[role]

Reset a user’s password:

  wp user update [username] --user_pass=[new-password]

5️⃣ Database Management

Export the database:

  wp db export [filename].sql

Import a database:

  wp db import [filename].sql

Optimize the database:

  wp db optimize

6️⃣ Debugging and Testing

Check site status:

  wp site status

Enable debugging:

  wp config set WP_DEBUG true

List scheduled Cron jobs:

  wp cron event list

7️⃣ Developer Tools

Generate a custom post type

  wp scaffold post-type [post-type-name]

Generate a shortcode:

  wp scaffold shortcode [shortcode-name]

Generate a new plugin:

  wp scaffold plugin [plugin-name]

For a full list of available commands, type:

wp help

Tips for Efficient Use

Here are some additional tips and best practices for working with WP-CLI in LocalWP:

Aliases for Faster Access

You can create an alias for WP-CLI commands to save time. For example, add the following to your .bashrc or .zshrc:

alias wp="wp --allow-root"

Reload the shell:

source ~/.zshrc

Managing Environment Variables

You can set environment variables in LocalWP to simplify your workflow. For instance, define constants for debugging:

define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);

You can add these to your wp-config.php file for development purposes.

Common Errors and Debugging

Error: “Command not found”

Ensure you have opened the Site Shell provided by LocalWP. WP-CLI is only available in the containerized environment.

Error: “Database connection failed”

If you encounter database issues, ensure that your LocalWP site is running and that the database credentials in wp-config.php match the LocalWP configuration.

Conclusion

Using WP-CLI in LocalWP’s Site Shell can significantly speed up your WordPress development process. Whether you need to update plugins, search and replace URLs, or perform database operations, WP-CLI simplifies these tasks. Start integrating it into your workflow today to enhance productivity and efficiency.

Additional Resources

• WP-CLI Documentation

Happy coding! 🚀