Meaning
WP-CLI is a command-line tool providing powerful WordPress management capabilities through terminal commands instead of web-based administration.
Definition
WP-CLI enables: installing WordPress, managing plugins/themes, creating content, managing users, running database operations, search-replace operations, exporting/importing content, and executing custom scripts.
It’s essential for development workflows, server automation, deployment processes, and bulk operations.
Common commands include: `wp core install` (install WordPress), `wp plugin list` (show all plugins), `wp post create` (create new post), `wp db export` (backup database), `wp search-replace` (update URLs), and `wp user create` (add users).
Commands support flags for customization and can be scripted for automation.
WP-CLI benefits: faster task execution, scriptable operations (DevOps integration), remote server management (SSH access), and capabilities impossible through Dashboard (like direct database manipulation without phpMyAdmin).
Many hosting providers pre-install WP-CLI on servers.
Example
A developer manages a client site via WP-CLI over SSH. They run `wp core update` to update WordPress core, `wp plugin update –all` to update all plugins simultaneously, `wp search-replace ‘http://oldomain.com’ ‘https://newdomain.com’` to update URLs after domain change, and `wp db export` to create a backup – all tasks completed in seconds through terminal commands rather than clicking through Dashboard interfaces.
