Automating WordPress Site Creation in Laravel Herd Environments

A Python tool that streamlines WordPress development workflows

The Problem: WordPress Setup Takes Too Much Time

As WordPress developers, we've all been there - spending precious time on repetitive setup tasks instead of actual development. Creating a new WordPress site involves multiple steps:

1. Downloading WordPress
2. Setting up databases
3. Configuring wp-config.php
4. Running the installer
5. Setting up local domains

When working with multiple client sites, these steps consume hours of development time, especially when dealing with Windows-specific issues like the dreaded "sh not found" error.

The Solution: WordPress Site Creator

I've developed a Python script that automates the entire WordPress setup process specifically for Laravel Herd environments. With a single command, you can:

python create_wordpress.py client-site

This command automatically:

• Downloads and extracts the latest WordPress version
• Creates and configures a MySQL database
• Generates secure WordPress salts
• Registers the site with Laravel Herd
• Secures the site with SSL certificate
• Completes WordPress installation via WP-CLI

Key Features

• Windows Compatibility: Handles common Windows-specific WP-CLI errors
• Multiple Fallback Methods: If one installation approach fails, it tries alternatives
• Customizable Configuration: Override defaults via command-line arguments
• Detailed Error Handling: Clear error messages and troubleshooting suggestions

How It Works

The script orchestrates several processes:

1. WordPress Download: Fetches the latest version directly from wordpress.org
2. Database Setup: Connects to MySQL and creates a new database
3. Configuration: Generates a properly configured wp-config.php file
4. Laravel Herd Integration: Registers the site and secures it with SSL
5. WordPress Installation: Uses WP-CLI to complete the installation process

Example Advanced Usage

python create_wordpress.py client-site --title="Client Website" --admin-user="clientadmin" --admin-pass="secure_password" --admin-email="[e-mail]"

Open Source and Available Now

This tool is open source and ready for you to use in your own WordPress development workflow. Check out the repository on GitHub to get started.

For WordPress development services or custom modifications to this tool, feel free to reach out:

• Email: [e-mail]
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rustywordpress/