Using WP Studio

Last Updated on April 1, 2025 by Neil Murray

Table of Contents #

WP Studio #

We are now using WP Studio for our local WordPress development environment where possible. It starts & runs much more quickly than Local.

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Import and Export #

A Studio site can be added from a backup file that contains a site’s site full content.

To add a new site to Studio from backup, you’ll need a .tar.gz, or.zip file that includes the following items:

  • wp-content/plugins: The folder containing your site’s plugins.
  • wp-content/themes: The folder containing your site’s themes.
  • wp-content/uploads: The folder containing your site’s uploads.
  • sql/: A directory with .sql files that contain your site’s database data.
  1. Click the Add site button in Studio.
  2. Name your site.
  3. Select the backup file in the Import a backup field.
  4. Optionally, under Advanced settings, select a Local path (or accept the default).
  5. Click Add site.

Any imported site is started by default and visible in the sidebar.

Alternatively you can create a new empty site in Studio & import only the required items:

  • wp-content/plugins
  • wp-content/themes
  • wp-content/uploads
  • .sql – .sql files that contain your site’s database data

You can simply copy the required folders into the relevant folders where the Studio files are stored. For the database you need import the database as explained below.

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Update an Existing Studio Site From a Backup #

To update an existing Studio site from a backup, you’ll need a .tar.gz, .zip, or .sql file:

  1. Select the site you wish to update from the Studio sidebar.
  2. Open the Import / Export tab.
  3. Click the Import box to select your backup file. Alternatively, you can drag and drop your backup file into the Import box.
  4. When prompted, click Import to overwrite your Studio site with your backup file.

full backup file

If you have a full backup file (including ..), the Studio site will be replaced from the provided .tar.gz or .zip backup.

database sql file

When you import .sql file to an existing site, the database dump will be imported on top of the existing site.

Importing an .sql file provides a easy way to update or copy a Studio site

TODO:

  • Import test.cf7skins.com database

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Studio site’s SQLite database #

Studio uses SQLite instead of a MySQL server database. SQLite is a lightweight, self-contained SQL database engine that stores your database in a single file.

Each of your sites will have a database file available in the following path: wp-content/database/.ht.sqlite.

Once you’ve located the SQLite database file, you can manage the database using any application compatible with SQLite.

  • SQLite3 – SQLite is installed by default in Unix systems like Mac. For Windows, you can download it from the official page.
  • SQLiteStudio – if you prefer using an application with a GUI interface.

Refer:

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Studio AI Assistant #

The Studio Assistant is a smart chatbot integrated within Studio.

Each Studio site has its own unique chat conversation, allowing the assistant to understand and respond based on the specific context of your site.

To access the Assistant, you must be logged into your WordPress.com account, as we use WordPress.com infrastructure to generate responses and manage access.

Each user is allowed 200 prompts per month across all of their Studio sites.

Refer: Studio Assistant

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WP-CLI in Studio #

Refer: Using WP-CLI

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PHP Executable Path #

Refer:

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Using Xdebug in Studio #

Refer:

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Further reading:

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Notes

ADD notes here.

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