How to Connect Claude to WordPress (2026 Complete Guide)

Connecting Claude to WordPress used to require custom REST API integrations, OAuth flows, and hours of developer time. In 2026, the Model Context Protocol (MCP) changes that completely. You install two plugins, paste four lines of configuration into your AI client, and your entire WordPress site becomes a workspace your AI agent can read, write, and manage through plain English instructions.

This guide walks through every step in detail: what MCP is, why it matters, exactly how to install and configure it, what you can realistically do with it, and how to troubleshoot the issues that most people run into. Whether you are a content creator, a developer, or a business owner managing a WooCommerce store, this tutorial covers your use case.

What Is the Model Context Protocol (MCP)?

The Model Context Protocol is an open standard published by Anthropic in late 2024. Its purpose is straightforward: it gives AI language models a structured, secure way to connect to external tools and data sources. Before MCP existed, every AI integration required custom code on both ends. MCP standardises this entirely.

Think of MCP the same way you think of USB-C. Before USB-C, every device had a different connector. After USB-C, any compatible device works with any compatible cable. MCP is the USB-C of AI integrations: one protocol that any compliant AI client and any compliant server can speak to each other through, without custom code on either side.

What You Need Before You Start

Before installing anything, confirm you have the following:

• WordPress 6.3 or later running on a self-hosted installation.
• Administrator access to your WordPress dashboard.
• An MCP-compatible AI client installed on your computer. Claude Desktop and Claude Code are the most common choices. Cursor and Windsurf also work.
• Node.js installed on the computer running the AI client. Check by running node -v in a terminal.

Step 1: Install the WordPress MCP Adapter

1. Go to WP Admin → Plugins → Add New Plugin
2. Search for WordPress MCP Adapter
3. Click Install Now, then Activate

Step 2: Install WDS MCP Content Manager

1. Go to WP Admin → Plugins → Add New Plugin
2. Search for WDS MCP Content Manager
3. Click Install Now and Activate
4. Navigate to Settings → WDS MCP Setup to open the setup wizard

Step 3: Find Your MCP Endpoint URL

https://your-site.com/wp-json/mcp/mcp-adapter-default-server

Step 4: Create a WordPress Application Password

1. Go to WP Admin → Users → Profile
2. Scroll down to Application Passwords
3. Enter a name like Claude Agent and click Add New Application Password
4. Copy the password immediately — it is displayed only once.

Step 5: Connect Your AI Client

Claude Desktop

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "wordpress": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@automattic/mcp-wordpress-remote@latest"],
      "env": {
        "WP_API_URL": "https://your-site.com/wp-json/mcp/mcp-adapter-default-server",
        "WP_API_USERNAME": "your-wordpress-username",
        "WP_API_PASSWORD": "AbCd EfGh IjKl MnOp QrSt UvWx"
      }
    }
  }
}

Claude Code

claude mcp add wordpress 
  --env WP_API_URL="https://your-site.com/wp-json/mcp/mcp-adapter-default-server" 
  --env WP_API_USERNAME="your-wordpress-username" 
  --env WP_API_PASSWORD="AbCd EfGh IjKl MnOp QrSt UvWx" 
  -- npx -y @automattic/mcp-wordpress-remote@latest

Free Plan vs. Pro Plan

Pro licenses are available at wallstrdev.com.