connect

MCP Connection Reference

Quick reference for connecting different MCP clients to a mcpwp-enabled WordPress site. $ARGUMENTS = client name or site URL + API key.

First time? Run /mcpwp:setup instead — it walks you through everything interactively.

Config Template

Replace YOUR-SITE.com and mcpwp_YOUR_KEY in every config below.

Claude Code

Global (~/.claude/settings.json):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcpwp": {
      "url": "https://YOUR-SITE.com/wp-json/mcpwp/v1/mcp",
      "headers": {"X-API-Key": "mcpwp_YOUR_KEY"}
    }
  }
}

Per-project (.mcp.json in project root):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcpwp": {
      "url": "https://YOUR-SITE.com/wp-json/mcpwp/v1/mcp",
      "headers": {"X-API-Key": "mcpwp_YOUR_KEY"}
    }
  }
}

Claude Desktop

Edit ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (Mac) or %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json (Windows):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcpwp": {
      "url": "https://YOUR-SITE.com/wp-json/mcpwp/v1/mcp",
      "headers": {"X-API-Key": "mcpwp_YOUR_KEY"}
    }
  }
}

Restart Claude Desktop after saving.

Cursor

Settings > MCP Servers > Add:

• Name: mcpwp
• URL: https://YOUR-SITE.com/wp-json/mcpwp/v1/mcp
• Header: X-API-Key: mcpwp_YOUR_KEY

Windsurf

Settings > MCP > Add Server:

• URL: https://YOUR-SITE.com/wp-json/mcpwp/v1/mcp
• Headers: {"X-API-Key": "mcpwp_YOUR_KEY"}

Multiple Sites

Use a unique name per site in mcpServers:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcpwp-staging": {
      "url": "https://staging.example.com/wp-json/mcpwp/v1/mcp",
      "headers": {"X-API-Key": "mcpwp_STAGING_KEY"}
    },
    "mcpwp-prod": {
      "url": "https://example.com/wp-json/mcpwp/v1/mcp",
      "headers": {"X-API-Key": "mcpwp_PROD_KEY"}
    }
  }
}

Verify Connection

After saving config, call wp_introspect() — returns site info, available tools, and capabilities.

Troubleshooting

• 401 Unauthorized: API key wrong or missing. Must start with mcpwp_.
• 404 Not Found: Plugin not activated. Check https://YOUR-SITE.com/wp-json/mcpwp/v1/site-info
• 500 Error: Check WP debug log. Common cause: PHP < 7.4.
• CORS error: Add your domain in WP Admin > mcpwp > Settings > Allowed Origins.