Day 6: Advanced WP-CLI Topics and Putting It All Together

Cron Jobs and Scheduled Tasks

WP-CLI allows you to manage WordPress cron jobs and scheduled tasks efficiently. Here’s how you can work with them:

• To list all scheduled cron events:

wp cron event list

• To run all pending cron events:

wp cron event run --due-now

• To schedule a new cron event:

wp cron schedule single --hook=my_custom_hook --time="2025-03-01 12:00:00"

This command schedules a one-time event for the my_custom_hook hook to run on March 1, 2025, at 12:00 PM.

Debugging and Troubleshooting

WP-CLI provides tools for debugging and troubleshooting your WordPress site:

• To enable WP_DEBUG and display errors:

wp config set WP_DEBUG true --raw
wp config set WP_DEBUG_LOG true --raw
wp config set WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY true --raw

• To check for common WordPress issues:

wp core verify-checksums
wp plugin list --status=active
wp theme list --status=active

These commands help you verify the integrity of your WordPress files and list active plugins and themes, which can be useful for troubleshooting.

Real-World Examples and Use Cases

Let’s explore some real-world examples of how WP-CLI can be used:

1. Automating Backups: You can create a script that uses WP-CLI to export your database and files regularly, then upload them to a remote storage service.
2. Bulk Content Updates: If you need to update multiple posts or pages with new information, you can use WP-CLI to perform these updates efficiently.
3. Staging to Production Deployment: WP-CLI can help you automate the process of deploying changes from a staging site to your live production site.
4. Performance Optimization: You can use WP-CLI to optimize your database, clear caches, and run performance tests to improve your site’s speed.

Best Practices and Tips

Here are some best practices and tips for efficient WP-CLI usage:

• Script Your Tasks: Create shell scripts or use WP-CLI’s built-in scripting capabilities to automate repetitive tasks.
• Use Aliases: Set up aliases for frequently used commands to save time and reduce typing.
• Test on Staging: Always test your WP-CLI commands on a staging site before running them on your live site.
• Keep WP-CLI Updated: Regularly update WP-CLI to ensure you have the latest features and security patches.
• Document Your Commands: Keep a record of the WP-CLI commands you use for future reference and to share with your team.

Conclusion

Congratulations on completing this 7-day course on WP-CLI! You’ve learned how to manage WordPress core, content, users, databases, and more using WP-CLI commands. Remember to practice what you’ve learned and explore additional WP-CLI commands and plugins to further enhance your WordPress management skills.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out. Happy WP-CLI-ing!