WP-CLI Database Commands

WP-CLI has some powerful tools built in for database management, here are some of the most used/convenient features. (If you haven't done so please view Using WP-CLI Command Line Tools first)

Note: Please use caution when performing commands on the database and always make sure to take a backup first.

Backing Up Your Database

Exports a .sql dump into your site directory.

For more information on creating database backups with WP-CLI, take a look at our tutorial on exporting databases with WP-CLI.

Example

wp db export ~/backup_name.sql

Importing a Database

Imports the database .sql file that you indicate.

For more information, take a look at our tutorial on importing databases with WP-CLI.

Example

wp db import new_database.sql

Checking Your Database For Errors

Checks your connection settings and runs the MySQL CHECK TABLE statement.

Example

wp db check

Resetting Your WordPress Database

This will reset the database to a fresh wp_ instance.

Example

wp db reset

Opening a MySQL Client to Perform MySQL Queries

Connects to the database and opens the mysql command line client

Example

wp db query

Exporting an .xml File

Exports the database in .xml/wxr format.

Note: Please see the documentation for handling authors from the wp-cli.org site

Example

wp export

Importing an .xml File

Imports the .xml file you indicate.

Example

wp import filename.xml

Search and Replace

Performs a search and replace function on the database that also handles serialized arrays.

The --all-tables flag will update tables that don't have the same table prefix that is used by WordPress.

You can also use --precise which uses PHP and is a bit more thorough but it takes longer so it should be used after the first process did not correct everything. Please consider cache on the server and in your local browser before using that though.

Note: Multi-site should use this article

Example

wp search-replace 'http://old-domain.com' 'http://new-domain.com' --all-tables