MCP WordPress Server

# Claude Desktop Integration Guide Complete guide for integrating MCP WordPress Server with Claude Desktop using the DXT extension. ## 🎯 Overview The WordPress MCP DXT extension provides the **easiest way** to integrate WordPress management with Claude Desktop. No command line, no configuration files - just click and configure. ### Why Choose DXT Extension? | Feature | DXT Extension | NPX Method | | ----------------- | ----------------- | --------------------- | | **Installation** | 2 clicks | Command line setup | | **Configuration** | Built-in UI | Manual JSON editing | | **Updates** | Automatic | Manual | | **Security** | Encrypted storage | Environment variables | | **Multi-site** | Single site only | Unlimited sites | ## 🚀 Quick Installation ### Step 1: Download DXT Package **Option A: Direct Download** - Click here: [`mcp-wordpress.dxt`](https://github.com/docdyhr/mcp-wordpress/releases/latest/download/mcp-wordpress.dxt) (3.4MB) **Option B: Command Line** ```bash curl -L -o mcp-wordpress.dxt \ https://github.com/docdyhr/mcp-wordpress/releases/latest/download/mcp-wordpress.dxt ``` ### Step 2: Install in Claude Desktop 1. **Open Claude Desktop** 2. **Navigate to Extensions** - Click the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right - Select "Extensions" from the menu 3. **Install Extension** - Click "Install Extension" button - Select the downloaded `mcp-wordpress.dxt` file - Wait for installation to complete ### Step 3: Configure WordPress Connection 1. **Extension Settings** - Find "WordPress MCP Server" in your extensions list - Click the settings/configuration button 2. **Enter WordPress Details** - **Site URL**: Your WordPress site URL (e.g., `https://yoursite.com`) - **Username**: Your WordPress username - **Application Password**: Generated WordPress app password - **Authentication Method**: Leave as "app-password" (recommended) 3. **Test Connection** - Click "Test Connection" to verify setup - You should see a success message ## 🔑 WordPress Application Password Setup ### Creating Application Password 1. **Log into WordPress Admin** - Go to your WordPress admin panel - Navigate to **Users** → **Your Profile** 2. **Generate Application Password** - Scroll down to **Application Passwords** section - In the "New Application Password Name" field, enter: `Claude Desktop MCP` - Click **Add New Application Password** 3. **Copy the Password** - WordPress will show a password like: `AbCd EfGh IjKl MnOp QrSt UvWx` - **Important**: Copy this exactly with spaces - You won't be able to see this password again ### Application Password Security - **Never share** your application password - **Regenerate regularly** for security - **Use specific names** to track different applications - **Revoke unused passwords** immediately ## ⚙️ DXT Configuration Options ### User Configuration Fields The DXT extension provides these configuration options: | Field | Required | Description | Example | | ---------------------------------- | -------- | ----------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | | **WordPress Site URL** | Yes | Full URL to your WordPress site | `https://mysite.com` | | **WordPress Username** | Yes | Your WordPress username | `admin` | | **WordPress Application Password** | Yes | Generated app password | `AbCd EfGh IjKl MnOp QrSt UvWx` | | **Authentication Method** | No | Auth method (default: app-password) | `app-password` | | **Debug Mode** | No | Enable verbose logging | `false` | ### Advanced Configuration For advanced users, the DXT extension supports: - **Encrypted credential storage** via OS keychain - **Automatic error recovery** with retry logic - **Performance monitoring** and optimization - **Cache management** for improved speed ## 🧪 Testing Your Installation ### Basic Functionality Test 1. **Restart Claude Desktop** - Close and reopen Claude Desktop after configuration - This ensures the extension loads properly 2. **Test with Simple Command** Try typing in Claude: ```text "List my recent WordPress posts" ``` 3. **Expected Response** - Claude should connect to your WordPress site - You should see a list of your recent posts - Each post should show title, status, and date ### Advanced Testing **Test Different Tool Categories:** ```text # Content Management "Show me my WordPress site settings" "List all my WordPress users" "Check my recent comments" # Performance Monitoring "Show WordPress cache statistics" "Check my site performance metrics" # Media Management "List recent media uploads" ``` ## 🎯 Real-World Usage Examples ### Content Creation Workflow ```text 👤 "Help me create a blog post about sustainable living with SEO optimization" 🤖 Claude will: 1. Generate SEO-optimized content 2. Create the post in WordPress 3. Add appropriate categories and tags 4. Set featured image if provided 5. Schedule or publish as requested ``` ### Site Management Tasks ```text 👤 "Analyze my WordPress site performance and suggest improvements" 🤖 Claude will: 1. Check cache statistics 2. Review performance metrics 3. Analyze content structure 4. Provide optimization recommendations 5. Implement suggested changes if approved ``` ### Bulk Operations ```text 👤 "Update all posts from 2023 to include my new author bio" 🤖 Claude will: 1. List all posts from 2023 2. Show current author bios 3. Update each post with new bio 4. Confirm changes and provide summary ``` ## 🔧 Troubleshooting ### Common Issues and Solutions #### 1. Extension Not Loading **Symptoms:** - WordPress tools don't appear in Claude - "Extension failed to load" message **Solutions:** ```bash # Check if DXT package is corrupted ls -la mcp-wordpress.dxt # Re-download if file size seems wrong curl -L -o mcp-wordpress.dxt \ https://github.com/docdyhr/mcp-wordpress/releases/latest/download/mcp-wordpress.dxt # Reinstall extension # Remove from Claude Desktop and reinstall ``` #### 2. Connection Failures **Symptoms:** - "Cannot connect to WordPress" errors - "Authentication failed" messages **Solutions:** 1. **Verify WordPress URL** ```bash # Test if WordPress REST API is accessible curl https://yoursite.com/wp-json/wp/v2/ ``` 2. **Check Application Password** - Ensure password includes spaces: `AbCd EfGh IjKl MnOp` - Regenerate if unsure about format - Verify WordPress user has sufficient permissions 3. **WordPress Configuration** - Ensure REST API is enabled - Check if Application Passwords are enabled - Verify user role has necessary permissions #### 3. Tools Not Working **Symptoms:** - Some WordPress tools return errors - Partial functionality only **Solutions:** 1. **Check WordPress Permissions** ```text # Test specific permission in Claude "Test my WordPress authentication status" ``` 2. **WordPress User Role Requirements** | Tool Category | Minimum Role | | ------------------- | ------------- | | **Read Operations** | Subscriber | | **Posts/Pages** | Author | | **Media** | Author | | **Users** | Editor | | **Site Settings** | Administrator | #### 4. Performance Issues **Symptoms:** - Slow response times - Timeout errors **Solutions:** 1. **Enable Caching** - DXT extension has built-in caching - Check cache statistics: `"Show WordPress cache stats"` 2. **WordPress Optimization** - Use caching plugins on WordPress - Optimize database and media files - Consider upgrading hosting ### Debug Mode Enable debug mode for detailed troubleshooting: 1. **In DXT Configuration** - Set "Debug Mode" to `true` - Save configuration 2. **Check Debug Output** - Look for detailed logs in Claude Desktop - Check for specific error messages ## 🔄 Updates and Maintenance ### Automatic Updates The DXT extension includes automatic update capabilities: - **Background Updates**: New versions download automatically - **Change Notifications**: You'll be notified of important updates - **Rollback Support**: Ability to rollback if issues occur ### Manual Updates To manually update: 1. **Download Latest Version** - Get newest `mcp-wordpress.dxt` from GitHub - Check release notes for changes 2. **Replace Extension** - Remove current extension from Claude Desktop - Install new DXT package - Reconfigure if necessary (settings usually persist) ### Version Compatibility | DXT Version | Claude Desktop | WordPress | | ----------- | -------------- | --------- | | **v1.5.3+** | Latest | 5.0+ | | **v1.4.x** | 0.8+ | 5.0+ | | **v1.3.x** | 0.7+ | 5.0+ | ## 🆚 DXT vs Alternative Methods ### When to Use DXT Extension ✅ **Best for:** - Non-technical users - Single WordPress site - Easy setup and maintenance - Built-in security and updates ### When to Use NPX Method ✅ **Best for:** - Multiple WordPress sites - Command line comfort - Custom configuration needs - Development environments ### Migration Between Methods **From DXT to NPX:** 1. Note your current DXT configuration 2. Remove DXT extension from Claude Desktop 3. Follow NPX setup guide with same credentials 4. Configure multi-site if needed **From NPX to DXT:** 1. Note your current NPX configuration 2. Remove NPX from Claude Desktop config 3. Install DXT extension 4. Enter same WordPress credentials ## 🎓 Advanced Features ### Built-in Tool Discovery The DXT extension includes intelligent tool discovery: ```text # Ask Claude about available tools "What WordPress tools are available?" "Show me tools for managing WordPress media" "What performance monitoring tools do you have?" ``` ### Context-Aware Assistance Claude understands WordPress context with DXT: ```text # WordPress-specific help "Help me optimize my WordPress site for speed" "What's the best way to manage WordPress comments?" "Show me WordPress security best practices" ``` ### Integration with Claude's Knowledge DXT combines with Claude's knowledge for enhanced assistance: ```text # Content strategy with WordPress integration "Analyze my WordPress posts and suggest a content calendar" "Help me improve my WordPress site's SEO" "Create a social media strategy based on my WordPress content" ``` ## 🆘 Getting Help ### Support Resources 1. **Documentation** - [Complete Documentation](../README.md) - [Troubleshooting Guide](../TROUBLESHOOTING.md) - [API Reference](../api/README.md) 2. **Community Support** - [GitHub Discussions](https://github.com/docdyhr/mcp-wordpress/discussions) - [Issue Tracker](https://github.com/docdyhr/mcp-wordpress/issues) 3. **Professional Support** - For enterprise needs - Custom integrations - Priority support ### Reporting Issues When reporting DXT-related issues, include: 1. **DXT Version**: Check in Claude Desktop extensions 2. **WordPress Version**: From WordPress admin 3. **Error Messages**: Exact text of any errors 4. **Steps to Reproduce**: What you were trying to do 5. **Configuration**: WordPress role, site type, etc. --- **Ready to get started?** [Download the DXT extension](https://github.com/docdyhr/mcp-wordpress/releases/latest/download/mcp-wordpress.dxt) and transform your WordPress management experience!