A single shell script that spins up WordPress sites locally using PHP's built-in server and MySQL. No containers, no config files, no GUI.
Requires PHP, MySQL, and optionally WP-CLI
Most local WordPress tools are either too heavy or too complex to set up. wp-local is a single bash script that does exactly what you need.
Install once, create sites instantly. No GUI, no Docker daemon, no YAML config.
Uses PHP's built-in server and your system MySQL. No containers eating your RAM.
Every site gets a one-click login URL. No remembering passwords during dev.
Run any WP-CLI command against any site with wp-local wp <name>.
Creates and drops databases automatically. List all DBs with a single command.
doctor checks your environment and fixes common issues automatically.
Everything you need. Nothing you don't.
| Command | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
new |
Create a new WordPress site
Downloads WordPress, creates DB, configures wp-config.php, installs, and generates an auto-login link.
|
wp-local new |
start |
Start the local server
Launches PHP's built-in server. All sites served from a single port.
|
wp-local start |
list |
List all local sites
Shows every site directory under ~/wp-sites.
|
wp-local list |
info [name] |
Show site details
Displays URL, admin credentials, and a fresh auto-login link.
|
wp-local info mysite |
wp <name> ... |
Run WP-CLI against a site
Passes any WP-CLI command directly to the specified site.
|
wp-local wp mysite plugin list |
delete [name] |
Delete a site
Removes site files and drops the database. Asks for confirmation.
|
wp-local delete mysite |
doctor |
Check environment
Verifies PHP, MySQL, and WP-CLI. Offers to fix issues automatically.
|
wp-local doctor |
db:list |
List all MySQL databases
Shows all databases in your MySQL instance.
|
wp-local db:list |
regen-login [name] |
Regenerate auto-login URL
Creates a fresh one-click login link for the site.
|
wp-local regen-login mysite |
repair [name] |
Rebuild site metadata
Reconstructs missing .meta file for sites. Run without a name to repair all sites.
|
wp-local repair mysite |
update |
Update wp-local
Pulls the latest version from GitHub automatically.
|
wp-local update |
This is what a typical first session looks like.
wp-local uses tools you likely already have on your machine.