Simplify your workflow with the new Playground CLI start command

Setting up a local WordPress environment should be as simple as running a single command. We are excited to introduce the new start command in the WordPress Playground CLI, simplifying how you run your local environments.

A simpler way to start

The WordPress Playground CLI is a powerful tool for running WordPress in your terminal. The command server allows users to customize the Playground instance at several levels, but those customizations can be daunting for users who want to run a WordPress instance with a theme/plugin. With the introduction of the high-level start command (introduced in PR #3040), you can launch a local WordPress instance more intuitively.

Instead of configuring complex parameters, you can now run:

npx @wp-playground/cli start

This command automatically configures the environment with sensible defaults, so you can focus on building.

Persistence by default

The most significant update in this release is persistence (PR #3119). Previously, closing the CLI meant losing your database and file changes unless you manually configured mounts. This update is a major milestone toward simplifying the WordPress development ecosystem. By adding persistence and a high-level entry point, the Playground CLI achieves feature parity with wp-now.

Now, the start command automatically saves your site’s state in your home directory (~/.wordpress-playground/sites/). This ensures your plugins, themes, and content are preserved between sessions. You can stop your server and resume exactly where you left off.

Quick reset for a fresh start

Sometimes, you need to start over. If you want to wipe your persisted site and begin with a clean installation, use the --reset flag:

npx @wp-playground/cli start --reset

Other flags are available for the `start` command:

• --blueprint — Execute a Blueprint file to preconfigure your site with plugins, themes, settings, and content.
• --php — Choose your PHP version. Supported versions: 7.4, to 8.5. Defaults to 8.3.
• --wp — Set the WordPress version. Defaults to latest.
• --port — Define the port for the local server. Defaults to 9400.
• --login — Automatically log in to the WordPress dashboard on launch.

Get started

The start command is available now in the latest version of @wp-playground/cli. Whether you’re testing a new plugin or building a theme, the Playground CLI provides a lightweight, zero-config environment directly in your terminal.

To learn more, check the Playground CLI documentation.