How to Use WP-CLI to Manage WordPress Sites More Efficiently

If you run a WordPress site, you’re probably familiar with performing tasks like installing plugins, updating themes, and managing users via the WordPress Admin interface. But what if you could do many of these tasks much faster, in bulk, or even via scripts? That’s where WP-CLI comes in, an open-source command-line tool built for WordPress that allows you to manage your site via a terminal.

In this guide, you’ll learn what WP-CLI is, how to install it, why it matters, and some of the most useful commands to streamline your site management.

What is WP-CLI?

WP-CLI (WordPress Command Line Interface) is the official command-line tool for WordPress. It enables you to run commands to perform tasks such as installing the WordPress core, managing themes, plugins, users, posts, and even interacting directly with the database, all without using the WordPress Admin dashboard.

Because it works via terminal (SSH or local shell), WP-CLI lets you automate, bulk-execute, and script WordPress tasks, which can save significant time for developers and site administrators.

Why Use WP-CLI?

Here are some of the key benefits:

• Execute tasks in seconds instead of clicking through dashboards.
• Work when the WP Admin is inaccessible (because of plugin conflicts, server issues).
• Perform advanced operations that the dashboard may not expose (e.g., search-replace in the database, version roll-backs).
• Automate repetitive workflows (e.g., set up a new site: install core → install theme/plugins → configure settings).
• Manage multiple sites through scripts or batch commands.

How to Install WP-CLI

Here are the basic steps:

Check if WP-CLI is already installed:  many web hosts include it by default.

Run:

wp cli version

1.  If you see a version number (e.g., WP-CLI 2.x.x), you’re ready. Otherwise, you’ll see something like command not found: wp.
2. Install WP-CLI manually (if not installed): You can follow the official installation instructions on the WordPress Developer Handbook.
3. Typical commands include downloading the wp-cli.phar file, moving it into your PATH, and making it executable.
4. Ensure you have SSH access to your server and proper permissions; test WP-CLI on a staging or development site before running on production.

Common WP-CLI Commands and Use-Cases

Here are examples of common commands you’ll use and how they’re helpful:

Managing Plugins

List installed plugins

wp plugin list

•  Shows all plugins with status, versions, and update availability.

Install & activate plugins

wp plugin install contact-form-7 akismet –activate

•  Installs two plugins from the official directory and activates them in one go.

Update all plugins

wp plugin update –all

You can exclude plugins if needed:

wp plugin update –all –exclude=plugin-slug

Managing Posts & Pages

List posts or pages

wp post list –post_type=page

Create a new post

wp post create –post_title=”Welcome Post” –post_status=publish

Generate dummy content for testing

wp post generate –count=10 –post_type=page –post_status=publish

Managing Themes

List themes

wp theme list

Install & activate a theme

wp theme install twentytwentyfour –activate

Update themes

wp theme update –all

Database & Maintenance

Export the database

wp db export

•  Great for backups before major changes.

Flush rewrite rules

wp rewrite flush

• Useful if you’re seeing 404 errors after custom post types or changing permalinks.

Search and replace in the database

wp search-replace ‘oldurl.com’ ‘newurl.com’ –dry-run

•  Then run without –dry-run to apply the changes.

Advanced Workflows & Automation

One of the most powerful uses of WP-CLI is combining commands into scripts. For example, you can create a deploy.sh script:

wp plugin update –all

wp theme update –all

wp db export backup.sql

Then run ./deploy.sh, and all commands execute. This approach allows you to automate deployments, backups, and site updates — saving time and reducing manual errors.

If you’re managing multiple WordPress sites, scripting with WP-CLI makes cross-site maintenance efficient.

Caveats & Best Practices

• Always back up your site before running commands, especially database changes or search-replace.
• Use staging environments to test WP-CLI scripts.
• Be cautious with commands that affect many items (e.g., –all flags).
• Ensure your host supports SSH and has WP-CLI installed or allows its installation.
• Use proper permissions and security practices when running commands with elevated privileges can be risky.
• Document your workflows so team members understand what scripts do and when to run them.

Conclusion

WP-CLI offers a faster, more efficient way to manage WordPress websites, especially for developers, agencies, and power users. If you learn even a few basic commands, you’ll find yourself saving time and avoiding repetitive tasks. Whether you’re installing plugins, updating themes, managing posts, or performing backups, WP-CLI gives you control through the command line.

Ready to try it? Pull up your terminal, connect to your server, and run wp –help to explore available commands. You’ll be surprised how much faster your WordPress site management can become.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is WP-CLI used for?

WP-CLI is a command-line tool used to manage WordPress websites without using the admin dashboard.

2. Do I need programming knowledge to use WP-CLI?

Basic command-line understanding is helpful, but many WP-CLI commands are simple and beginner-friendly.

3. Can I use WP-CLI on shared hosting?

Some shared hosts support WP-CLI, but if not, you may need VPS, dedicated hosting, or a host that includes WP-CLI by default.

4. How do I install WP-CLI on my server?

You can install WP-CLI using the curl or wget command to download the PHAR file, then make it executable globally.

5. What are the benefits of using WP-CLI over the dashboard?

It’s faster, more efficient, ideal for automation, and eliminates time spent navigating menus.

6. Can I manage multiple WordPress sites with WP-CLI?

Yes, WP-CLI is excellent for managing multisite networks and bulk operations.

7. Does WP-CLI work on Windows?

Yes, WP-CLI can run on Windows using WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) or tools like Git Bash.

9. Can WP-CLI help with backups and security?

Yes, you can back up databases, update plugins, and manage security-related tasks quickly via commands.